soon to be 1st time bitch owner.

With a little luck we hope to have a pup in the next few months. We have loads of experience with males but this will be our 1st little lass. One question, to start with anyway, when do you think the best time to have her neutered is? I will speak to the vet when we get her, but I've read both before and after her 1st season, and was wondering what your opinions are.
Pete.

Hi Pete, from what I have read it should be after the first season so that all the hormones are released and help her to become healthy going forward.

I'm no expert so probably best to check with the vet as you say.

I hope you find your new fur baby really soon  

Most people say leave it after 3 seasons. My first was done before her first season my second after, both of which have developed perfectly.

In my opinion the choice is yours, but there are many arguments about it, for and against and at what age.

Good luck with your first girly, only ever had bitches myself

I was told after the 1st season, unfortunately Katy had a phantom next so couldn't do it then it was xmas. Her 2nd season was January now I'm saving up to get it done before her 3rd   

Thanks for your views everyone. I will do what my vet says but we are interested in your experiences. One of the real reasons for asking is we were thinking about getting her used to the pants!
Pete

Vets will often say to get it done before the first season but it is better to wait until they have had a couple of seasons and matured a little. My sisters bitch was done before her first season and has bladder incontinence problems as a result.

Oh the Pants   Tried them with Katy, she either tried to rub them off on the edge of the sofa or when left unattended in my car would shred them   I just use a lot of throws on whatever she likes to lay on. If you can get her spayed after her 1st season do so as they charge by the weight of the dog. I was quoted back in November £200 ish, Katy must have put at least 3kgs on since then  

Thanks again. I think letting her mature a little seems very sensible. So, it looks like knicker training starts on day 1 too!
Lynn.

Daisy had 2 or 3 seasons (not sure as she is a rescue) and was then done and I've had no problems and she recovered from the op really quickly x

Both my bitches were done three months after their first season and this worked well for them and us. Roxie had just finished her season when we got her but Maisey, who we had from 7 weeks, had to wear the dreaded pants. OMG what a palaver, she hated them but she had a very heavy first season so they were an absolute necessity. I do remember chasing her around the house trying to put them back on after she had come in from a walk or doing a wee outside and then her spending the rest of the time trying to get them off   

Sounds like fun Saffi!

Moo wore pants, only when indoors and got on fine with them, suppose its the dog really, and no I didn't train her to wear them as she came into season on the day of her op! Xx