When to spay?

[dianecourt]

Lucy is just 7 months old.  She's going to the vet this week for a check in, and I'm wondering if I should also make an appointment for the spaying.  She's a mostly poodle mix, about 16 pounds.

[Deleted]

I had my dog spayed at 6 months. The vet said there are advantages and disadvantages of spaying earlier and of spaying later. He said spaying earlier reduces the risk of certain cancers, but can slightly up the risk of UTI's later in life. We opted to spay when she was younger because she has an invisible fence (yes, I know, controversial around these parts), and I didn't want to risk a roaming male dog coming by if she was in heat before I became aware of it. I know others who spayed their females around 9-10 months or after their first heat. Then again, at some rescues it's common place to spay puppies right before adoption, as early as 2-3 months.