When to fix? - Page 2

I always advise after 2 years old for females and after 3 or 4 for males. If they are European lines they tend to mature much more slowly than American lines. A 2 year old dog that is healthy is still young and should have no problems.
I believe that vets want to spay and neuter early for money reasons and nothing else. The uterus is much larger on a mature female than a young puppy, so it is actually harder to find it on a young puppy than an adult. I know that for a fact as I assisted in veterinary surgeries for years. There have been many problems come out of doing this too early and I am glad you waited! If you can wait a little longer it will be better for her health and maturity.
Seeofred,
There are many reason TO spay and neuter if you are not planning on breeding. They are not human and can run into many problems associated with these areas as they become older and sometimes even before they get old. These would include, cancers (mammary, prostate, testicular etc), infections (Pyometra, bladder etc.) and more. Males seem to have more problems than females, especially if they are around females that come in and out of season. Their prostate swells because of the pheromones from the female and this swelling can cause bladder and prostate infections because of the restricted flow. Over a long period of time this can lead to more serious problems. While it is true that if you let a female go into her first heat the chances for breast cancer are almost even, with a female that is left in tact, there is still many other benefits to spaying.
Debby

here being in heat is a real pain in the butt since she is an inside dog. Even though it's a pain, we are happy to do it if it's going to benefit her. I do want to get her fixed because i don't want any accidental puppies arriving. Our shelter here is not a no kill shelter, and i don't want to posssibly add to their population. Our other 2 dogs came from the shelter, and what great dogs. If Sam had puppies there is just no way we could keep them.