Dutch Shepherd Forum

My Husband and I have decided to let our girl go through one-two heats before we spay Xena. I want to give her bones time to mature and set. She turned 6 months on Saturday.

I am curious as to the average age of the DS's first heat. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether spaying after two heats instead of one will make a difference in her development/ temperment / future bladder control?

Also at 6 months how much more height growth can we expect?

Thanks!

It depends a bit on the dogs future size (I believe) and family tradition.
Normally, I expect the first heat after they are 9 months old, with one coming in at 8 months and another at 16 months. No hard and fast rule.
Spaying after 2 heats will erase the advantage of juvenile spay when it comes to the future development of mammary tumors, but they will likely grow into a physically and mentally more balanced dog. I don't spay the girls that I keep until they are older, so I cannot relay my early spay experiences, since I have none.