Right then, Lexi is coming up towards 6 months. My previous dog was spayed at 6 months so no issues with seasons, however the breeder I got lexi from in her introductory letter pleaded with new owners to let your bitch have its first season before being spayed. I spoke to 2 of the vets at the practice we go to. One said just get it done at 6 months (pretty old school type man), stop worrying, the other said there's no real evidence either way. Therefore we're at the stage of pondering do we get her done now or wait till she's had her first season.
So firstly what do you guys and gals all think?
Secondly how do you look after a dog having a season if we elect to wait. I'm aware most male dogs in the area will try and get into our garden, we've got 6 foot high fence so should be ok, but how do you know when it's starting and when you have to worry about other dogs coming near.
Can you still take them out e.g. really early and really late when not many others about or do you just have to go with garden exercise for 2-3 weeks and how do you cope with the general craziness that ensues from not being able to go for a good walk a few times a day?
My wife is worried if we let her have a season that she could be out walking lexi with the pram and struggle if she is besieged by other dogs!!
We'd be grateful for your advice/opinions

Our vets say it is better to let them have one season first. The hormones produced help a bitch to properly mature. Having them spayed before their first season can have you end up with a dog that never matures from beyond being a pup in it's head. I know a couple who had a dog spayed before her first season and they said it really ruined her and would never do it again.
We also have another member of our flyball team who had hers done before a season and she's fine so I don't think this would go for every bitch but I wouldn't risk it.

I've allowed mine to have a couple of seasons before I get them spayed this winter and my last ones were entire their whole lives. I don't have much bother caring for a bitch in season. If you have entire males living in the same house, it will be more awkward but if you only have a bitch then it shouldn't be an issue. So long as you don't let her pee in the street near your house where any stray male can pick up the scent and follow it to your home.
There aren't as many stray dogs roaming these days as there used to be with dog wardens and such clamping down on it. I don't have dogs sniffing round our house when mine are in season and I still walk them as normal, I just keep them away from other male dogs when out. As they only toilet up the top of the garden or out on a walk, there is no real scent in the street to attract males.