“Current research suggests optimal timing of spay or neuter is after the growth plates of the growing skeleton close. In most dogs this is finished at 18 months of age. Estrogen and testerone influence bone development and growth and removal of those hormones by spaying or neutering alters growth plate closure.”
“Studies show that early spay/neuter does affect the growth plate, delaying its closure and causing dogs to grow taller than they should have.”
My Mountain Cur was spayed at 18 months of age after one heat cycle.
