English black labs 1st heat

Question
I have an English black lab that is 7 months old and I am just wondering when to expect her 1st heat? I am going to have her spayed, would it be better to do this before or after her 1st heat?

Answer
The first heat can come anytime in the next 6 months.  I would get with your vet now and get it done as soon as you can to avoid the mess, risks, and hassle of going through her heat cycle.  Once she starts into heat, most vets will want to wait until it is all over.  

There are some arguments for waiting until after it, but the benefits if any are minor, and don't have good science behind them.  

Having a female in heat isn't the end of the world, but can create problems for the inexperienced.