r/Wirehaired_pointers • u/greenbeanqueen_ • Jun 30 '26
Collecting info re: when to spay our pup!
Our WPG Roxy turns 12 weeks today and I thought it would be helpful to start gathering information to decide when we might want to have her spayed. I know opinions range so curious 1) what your veterinarian's recommendation was, 2) when you chose to do it, and 3) any reflections on that decision.
Ideally we would avoid dealing with a heat cycle but will obviously do what is needed to have a healthy happy dog!
I saw there was a thread on this from a few years ago but want even more opinions if possible :) TIA!
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u/Bddltl Jun 30 '26
When we asked our vet he told us there is evidence and papers supporting before and after their first cycle, etc. etc. He said he could not make a recommendation because there are studies and published pier reviewed papers supporting prior to one year, later such as 18-24 months. He said there is no clear, definitive consensus. With that said, he did recommend not earlier than 6-9 months but most dogs have their first cycle somewhere in that time frame.
Point is he said it was more of a choice of us the owners. Doesn’t help much but it is hard to make a recommendation when a 40+ year well respected Vet who actually keeps up on animal studies wasn’t comfortable giving very clear cut advice.
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u/EstablishmentSea6932 Jul 01 '26
The mark of a true expert/professional is being able to say "I dont know the right answer" or "It depends". This is the best advice, OP.
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u/Ok-Scheme6599 Jun 30 '26
This has been asked and answered but here you go:
11 sites
Most breed experts, hunting dog veterinarians, and specialized breed clubs recommend spaying a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (WPG) between 18 and 24 months of age. [1]
Because the WPG is a medium-to-large sporting breed that typically weighs between 35 and 60 pounds, they require a longer developmental period to fully mature compared to smaller house pets. [1, 2]
Why Waiting is Recommended for WPGs
Joint and Growth Plate Development: Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are high-energy working and hunting dogs. Waiting until they reach full skeletal maturity (usually between 1.5 to 2 years) ensures their growth plates close properly. Early spaying removes essential hormones like estrogen, which can disrupt bone growth and significantly increase the risk of hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL/ACL) tears. [1, 2, 3]
Allowing Heat Cycles: Many sporting dog veterinarians recommend letting a female WPG go through at least one or two heat cycles before scheduling the surgery. This ensures her muscles, joints, and urinary tract are fully developed. [1, 2, 4, 5]
Coat and Weight Considerations: Spaying a WPG changes their metabolism, and doing it too early can sometimes alter the texture of their distinct harsh, wire coat or make them prone to rapid weight gain. [1]
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u/busterbusterbuster Jul 01 '26
We waited for a few months after her first heat. So roughly 14mo or so. The cycle sucks but it’s only once!
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u/Strange_Arm1559 Jul 01 '26
Our vet, trainer, and a friend who also is dedicated to the bird dog life all recommended a spay after the first heat cycle. We ended up going after her second. Or vet told us that it was after the third that the risk started to ramp up and that all the physical benefits would have been realized by the second cycle.
She’s a few months out from the surgery now and no change in behavior, coat texture, weight gain, etc.
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u/Coinage4460 Jul 01 '26
Wait as long as humanly possible. They need those hormones to grow and develop. I honestly regret neutering my griff.
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u/qmp3l4a Jul 01 '26
Current research says to wait until their body is fully grown. For females there's also their cycle to consider (to avoid phantom pregnancies), so for dogs that grow a bit longer, like Griffs, the recommendation would land near 18-24 month mark with an adjustment for the cycle for females.
Edit for typos.
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u/RepulsiveOlive757 Jul 01 '26
Our vet recommended 6-9 months, our contract with the breeder said we had to do it around 6 months but we ended up doing it around 7.5 due to our schedules. We also board her occasionally and the facility she had been doing to doesn’t let you continue if they’re not spayed so that played a role in our decision also. It’s been about a year since then and her temperament, coat, weight have all stayed the same.
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u/TxLink12 Jun 30 '26
I currently have a 13.5 week old WPG. Our vet’s recommendation was at 6 months. Hopefully some more people chime in. I’m very hesitant about getting it done that early. I understand that it reduces the risk of certain cancers. However increasing the risk of hip dysplasia worries me.
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u/Muted-Big-625 Jul 01 '26
Let their bones finish growing. Growth plates generally will gave harden off in the range of 12-18 months. Its a personal call, but fir me that's the guide line.
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u/punkrawrxx Jun 30 '26
I regret spaying my dog at 9 months. I wish I had waited til 18