6 month female boxer

Question
We have a 6 month female boxer.  This is our first boxer and we need your help.  I was told by the breeder to not have her spayed until after 1 year because it will stunt her growth.  However, I am now being told to spay her now because she is 6 months. Are there early signs that she will be going into heat soon?  We do not want to breed her but I also do not want her spayed too early.
Second question - I was told by our vet that we can tell if she has finished growing by looking at her growth plates.  Not sure how to tell this.  Thank you.

Answer
Spaying does not stunt growth- it simply stops reproduction.

Have you asked your vet his or her recommendation for the age to spay?

You do want to spay her before her first heat.

She can have a first heat from anywhere from age 6 months to 1 year old- generally, closer to the 1 year mark.

Call your vet and ask what age they prefer. I would spay her around one year- although some vets do earlier.

She is so young and playful right now, that she could burst her stitches- so maybe when she is a few months older and settled down some- but ask your vet.

Growth plate definition:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=327

You can guess her approximate adult size by her parents size. Generally, she will be like them, although not uncommon to be a grandparent size.

But spaying has nothing to do with growth and she won't be fully grown until about one year old. Your vet should know this.

Join for free, Boxerword.com and go into the forums and read the different categories.

The people are Boxer lovers/owners and offer a wealth of information and support.

You can get answers to any question you have, and enjoy sharing with other Boxer owners and learn all about your girl. Her characteristics, quirks, personality, etc. You'll enjoy it.