Standard Poodle on Heat

Question
I have a 5 mths female standard poodle.  Can you advise what is the average age is for standards to come on heat for the first time. I have her enroled for an 8 week training course with other dogs and she will be around 7 mths when she completes it.  Obviously she can't be in class when she is on heat.

The breeder has recommended that we have her desexed around 9 mths.  Would appreciate your views on this matter.

Appreciate your advice.

Regards
Patricia Anderson
Melbourne Australia

Answer
Hello Patricia,
Most Std Poodles will come into heat around 8-11 months of age, but this depends on the dog (I have seen some females come into heat around 6 months of age, and others though rare, around 18 months).  When you first see blood, she won't be ready to breed until 9-11 days after.  There are also doggie pants (that use female period pads) that you can get for her until she stops bleeding.  
As far as being de-sexed, you should be able to do that in about a month.  Anywhere from 5 months and up is ok, but for females, I perfer that they be 6 months or older because of the more intense surgery involved. (some Vets will do it eariler than that, as young as 8 weeks in some states, but I feel that that is too young).
Check with your Vet to see what their policy is as far as desexing female dogs.  

I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim