Can someone please assist? m vet has suggested that my golden retriever is spayed at 9 months old, however i have spoken to a  golden retriever owner and reputable breeder who said that 9 months is much too young as they are still growing. i justt want to do the right thing and make an informed decision. She is 6 months old now so i have plenty of time.

I agree that 9 months is too young.  I attended a seminar many years ago where the oncologist stated that spaying only reduces the risk of mammary tumours if it was done before the bitch's first season, but of course, that in itself produces another set of problems. :(
Unless you find it difficult to manage her seasons then I wouldn't have her spayed at all, or her lovely smooth coat to look like pale candyfloss. :(  If you see other Goldies in the park, you'll be able to spot the neutered ones from half a mile away.  They'll have thick, curly, fluffy coats, both male and female.

Hi
I had Lillie done at around 18months, I have heard too,that they are still growing until around 18 months and spaying before may affect their growth, maybe that did kinda influence me to leave it till i did, but also i was advised to have it done between seasons, so i kinda had to wait  when i decided to definately spay her , until it was the right time. But i was in the same kinda situation as you with my decision, and it must be hard to make a decision when being told different things from different reputable parties. I just went along with the advice i was given on the growth side.hope this helps a little,

This article has the pros and cons re health.  http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

Certainly wait until full skeletal maturity, and until she is fairly grown up mentally as early neutering does seem to freeze many in perpetual puppy mode.

Thank you so much for that . To be honest my vet made me feel i had no choice in the matter, but  I will have to see how her first season is and will take it from there. I would prefer not to get her done for all of the reasons you gave which is exactly what i was told by a local breeder, she is a gorgeous dog who i adore as do my family so we're not about to let her roam the streets which i feel is the assumption some vets seem to make!

I had one of my GRs spayed at 18months, she is very well exercised,but has put on a lot of weight in the last 18months,and is on strict diet due to HD but thats another thing.
Her coat although very smooth and flowing,it has gone very fly away and wavy.
I do have another GR who is now 2yrs old a girl, and i am reluctant to get her done now to be honest.

I had many goldies over the years and she was the first to be spayed as i lost our last goldie to hormone cancer and was advised to get them done if not going to breed from them both.
Im very reluctant to have my other goldie spayed now after the weight and coat issue with molly.
Im sure you will come to the right decision for you.
HTH.

Im so annoyed ! just been to the vet for my goldies 6 month check and nurse said that she was ready to be spayed. I said i thought she was too young and was told that the vets and nurses go on all of the courses so they are the best informed. i refused to book her in and the atmosphere became a little frosty.
I think i need to change my vet !
Just needed to get it off my chest

I suspect that there is more income in spaying every bitch that comes in the door (and a nice reliable, regular income at that) than a greater bill for the very low percentage that need spaying due to pyometra? :)  Certainly there is a place for spaying if the owners can't take care of an in season bitch .........

I've very luck to have found a Vet down here who believes in minimal inference in all cases and have recommended everyone who asks to him.

By the way, what is involved in a 6 month check???  Heart beating, clean eyes, ears and bum?

> I think i need to change my vet !
>

Your prerogative!  :-)

And can't say that I blame you.  As you say, your girl isn't roaming the streets.  I had a bitch that was never spayed, never had a litter, and died in old age.  Not from pyometra or mammary cancer.  I think that most pet owners do what they are told at the vets because they haven't done any research.  If you change your vet, stick to your guns!  :-)

I agree Jean, I have a bitch that I will never breed from, but I dont ever plan to have her spayed either. I'm very careful when she's in season and she doesn't leave the garden - in my opinion its a bit like 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' :-)

Our Golden was spayed after two seasons (about 20 months), we had visited our vet a couple of months before her first season and he raised the subject.  He said that he always raised it with owners so they could think about it but didn't recomend it until after the second season.