Young to be spayed??

[siam]

I’ve just been out with Alfie and met a pup with a lady I just know to say ‘hello’ to in passing. She is quite a private sort of person, had a collie aged 16 until a short time ago and now has a pup (another collie) who was 16weeks the last time we passed 2 weeks ago. She seems to have a strict training routine with the pup and isn’t keen to let the pup socialise more than a few seconds with Alfie. However I was a bit gobsmacked tonight when she veered to one side of the road to avoid Alfie and shouted the pup had just been spayed. That would mean she has been spayed at 18 weeks. Are female pups normally spayed as young as this?  I’ve only ever had male dogs so am not up on the different girlie stages, but it seemed very young to me.

[*Jay*]

Most vets wouldn't normally spay until 6 months at the earliest - 4 1/2 months does seem very young and it definitely isn't common practice 

[LinziS]

That does seem rather young.
I am waiting to get Tilly spayed and have been told by my vet that the earliest they will do it is 26 weeks.

[JeffandAnnie]

I think it is common practice in US to spay young. Better to spay young than not imo

[jennyspin]

We normally advise over 1yr old or after the first season if poss. Better for them to reach proper maturity, mentally as well as physically before it is done. 

[LinziS]

We normally advise over 1yr old or after the first season if poss. Better for them to reach proper maturity, mentally as well as physically before it is done. 

Oh was not aware of that...I was just going with vets advise. Can I ask what would be the average age of 1st season....reason I ask is I would delay Tilly's spay but we are going on holiday later in year and she will be in kennels and I would not want her to be in season then...but dont want to get her spayed too near that time either to allow her adequate time to recover from op