Hi all , no expert and I too am in the same situation with an 11 month old lab she still has,nt had her first season but we were told by our vets to leave it till after as it allows them to mature hormonally, I suppose so they become well rounded and grown up emotionally . I have also heard some vets being of the opinion that it can prevent ovarian cancer if its done before the first season , but i guess if that was the case all bithches wuld be done before there first season . I am personally going to leave it till after . best wishes Andrea.