DEAR PAW’S CORNER: When should I get my purebred puppy spayed? “Macy” is a rambunctious, 6-monthold Bernese, and I’m getting conflicting information from friends and my vet. My friends say that she should go through one or two heat cycles before I get her fixed. The vet wants it done right away. Who’s right?
-- Carol H., via email DEAR CAROL: Oh, wow.
This is quite a topic of conversation in my pet circles, as I’m sure it is with your fellow pet owners. I don’t think anyone is going to be super happy with my answer, because I’m not going to give you a definitive age at which puppies should be spayed or neutered. Instead, I’m going to punt this to the American Kennel Club (AKC), which has a great article on why recommended ages differ: www.akc.org/ expert-advice/vets-corner/neutering- spaying-right-age-dog.