Maggie is the first of my female goldens that I have not had spayed before her first heat cycle.. The seller and vet recommended at least one cycle before spaying.. If it is once a year not a problem, but if it is every 6 mths. we should be in Az. when the next cycle happens.. I do not want to deal with a female in heat away from home. Thanks.

Never owned a Golden but my experience with GSP's and Curs is twice a year.....

I was always told to spay after the first heat....there's probably hundreds of theories though....

Field thanks.. I will have to get her to the vet..

FWIW, my vet advises to spay before the first heat occurs. Says it's easier on the dog and cheaper to perform.

john, thanks.. That is what I have always done.. But my breeder and one of the vets told me it would be healthier for Maggie to go through one cycle. ??? I don't know, but I want my goldens to have as long a life as possible..

Its a tough call WCH...I spent years in the pro high speed dog biz, surrounded by post graduate degree folks and veterinarians and uber-trainers and I could NEVER get even close to a consensus on when to spay or neuter....

ingwe, thanks.. That is my finding also. I will get Maggie an autograph sometime this month.. I am hoping something will help my goldens live longer..

Goldens are the poster children for genetic disorders, more than any other breed, and as you've no doubt found out by now, that includes certain kinds of cancer.Sad thing, one of the sweetest most utilitarian dogs ever is so afflicted...

It is a real shame that many breeds have so many genetic health problems.

Cancer has killed eveyone of my goldens but one.. I have had six pass since I bought the first one in the early 80's.. Peach passed last year after complications after cancer surgery.. Now I have Maggie and Kate.. They are so loving and such good friends, I can't face not having them. These two are excellent hunters also. Thanks for the interest!!

I sure hurts to lose a dog. Ex wife. Not so much