When to spay a Giant Breed Dog?

[VTJess03]

There has been a lot of discussion recently about the advantages of both spaying before the first heat and after the first heat. You may go through some of the older dog health threads and read up on that if they're still available. I think most of that info relates to all dogs, not just the giant breeds, since it's relative to when they stop growing/have their first heat, etc. and not just by what age they are

[Scooby4]

I am a believer/supporter in the wait till after FIRST heat or Batch of puppies. They are more mature and I've seen less health issues associated with it. Larger breeds do tend to go into their first heat later around the 8 to 12 month range so you have time. The closer to the heat cycle the better if you can't wait.
IMO the reason for this trend of fixing early is a reflection more of convenience and population control. Similar to the C-section trends it seems in human births nowadays. 10 years ago, vets weren't so insistent with recommending the fixing of the animals as they are nowadays. Maybe it's due to advances in medicines or population levels are out of control. Either way, I am sticking with waiting till the appropriate time.

[shawsdanes]

My biggest concern with EVERYTHING I have read, that if you wait till after the first heat you are already giving your pup 25% more likely of a chance to get cancer. I am not so sure if I am willing to deal with the fact that my choice gave my pup more of a chance to develop cancer. I will have an in dept convo with our vet. Thanks everyone!!

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

My biggest concern with EVERYTHING I have read, that if you wait till after the first heat you are already giving your pup 25% more likely of a chance to get cancer. I am not so sure if I am willing to deal with the fact that my choice gave my pup more of a chance to develop cancer. I will have an in dept convo with our vet. Thanks everyone!!

From everything I've read and heard, there isn't a huge risk if you wait a bit longer to have your dog spayed. I think the percentage only rises about 1-2% or so. IMO, people make such a big deal out of the cancer risk just to scare you into thinking that the dog must be altered ASAP. Personally, with the large breed dogs I fully agree with Sue (Lv4dogs) and would definitley wait until she's a year or older to have her spayed as long as you are a responsible dog owner. I don't know a whole lot about Danes, but I do spend a lot of time around Dobermans as my friend breeds them. When she first began she had her new owners alter their pets around 5-7 months and each of those dogs tower over the ones who were done after a year (the show dogs from the same litter). They're huge. I'm not saying this happens with all dogs, but there are studies to back it up (like the one Sue posted) You've already been given a lot of opinions and info on this subject so I'm not going to say anything else but as I said earlier, I'd wait 'til she's older. That's just me though.