Best age to neuter a labrador?

Not a lab owner but have had Goldens for years; now a boxer and a flat coat retriever. I suggest you wait.
Have you spoke to the breeder? Please do your research; not just what the vet says. 6 months is very young to spay a female med breed. I’d say at least 8-10 months (without a heat cycle) but I’d prefer at least a full heat cycle.

There are a lot of benefits to spaying older...at least one full Heat cycle. Especially with breeds that have joint problems. Please use google and look at med/large breeds and the data, Stanley Corcoran (sp?) behavioural studies on early neuter/spay and also European data.

I sprayed my boxer around 2; which was just two full heat cycles (fall when she was 14 months the following spring 18 months) and I had her spayed before her fall heat.

It’s a pain but not terrible. Honestly it was just cleaning up some spots and not letting her off leash.

I also got a laparoscopic spay, which you also might want to consider for an active breed.

Many of our early spay and neuter customs are not best for the dog if you are a responsible owner who can ensure your pup won’t get knocked up hahaha

I have a 6-month-old female retriever and I've been trying to figure out when to get her spayed. Why do you recommend waiting until after a heat cycle? I was under the impression that I was supposed to do it before, so around the 7-8 month mark. Would love to get your advice as it sounds like you have experience with goldens,

av10000 wrote: ↑ The vet told me 6 months is a good age to neuter my labrador.
I am now reading in forums, and I see many sites that recommend to wait longer (1 year+)

I'd appreciate feedback from other labrador owners.

Thanks!

Hope this is not too late.
Not a lab owner but did have a similar sized mixed breed previously.
We blindly followed a vets advice to spay early. Wound up doing the joint surgery the >1 year people warn about.
@>$4K each leg with 16 weeks recovery each surgery , sure made us wish we waited 2 spay.

I was told to wait by my vet too. It used to be 6 months was the time but now I've read 18 months or so.

I’m waiting to age two for my golden male. They say he’ll be bigger and stronger that way and possibly healthier.

Also have a golden male. 5 months now. Our vet suggested to only neuter early if he was becoming overly dominant, otherwise anytime from when he stopped growing to 18 months. Hips are the reason. Also told us if we wanted him chipped this would also be the best time since he would already be under.

Our last golden male was done at 18 months and after which, he hated the vet. Never forgot. Was nice to everyone else and only ever growled at the vet. Loved car rides but knew if we got to the vet.

Perhaps this latest one will be done next spring at 14-15 months