Golden Retriever right time to spay

We spayed both our Golden Retrievers at 6 months old at the recommendation of our vet.

I work in the veterinary field. In the past few years we have begun to do research on this very topic after years of using a stock, one-size-fits-all approach, i.e. neuter/spay everything at 6 months. Two studies have recently found that a Golden Retriever spayed at ANY age has increased risks of certain diseases–mainly cancers. What I mean is that Goldens spayed before skeletal maturity (12-18 months) had higher incidences of certain cancers, and Goldens spayed after skeletal maturity were at increased risks for different cancers. Spaying before skeletal maturity always increases risks of orthopedic problems.

On the flip side, approximately 25% of unspayed females will developed breast cancer–this decreases to <1% if the bitch is spayed before the first heat and is ~12.5% if the spay is done before the second heat. Unspayed females also have a 25% chance in their lifetime of developing a pyometra, a pus-filled uterus requiring emergency spay. So basically, there is no easy answer or one that is right for everyone. Some people are looking at removing the uterus only and leaving the ovaries as the hormones seem to be the important thing. This is a more technically difficult surgery to perform and not many vets do it–it is recommended that the vet go through a short course to learn the proper technique as it does vary in certain aspects from a regular spay.

FYI there is also a study from Norway that found allowing a large or giant breed dog (they specifically looked at Goldens) to use stairs on a regular basis before 6 months of age increased the risk of developing hip dysplasia.

Here is info on the studies:
Long-Term Health Effects of Neutering Dogs: Comparison of Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers

Benjamin L. Hart ,
Lynette A. Hart,
Abigail P. Thigpen,
Neil H. Willits

PLOS

Published: July 14, 2014
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102241″
and
“The lab/golden study :
Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers

Gretel Torres de la Riva,
Benjamin L. Hart ,
Thomas B. Farver,
Anita M. Oberbauer,
Locksley L. McV. Messam,
Neil Willits,
Lynette A. Hart

PLOS

Published: February 13, 2013
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055937”