How long should I wait after my dog is in heat to get her spayed?

Hi

Just wanted to say what a wonderfull website you have. I successfully bred my 2yr old staffy female to my male in march 07 and she had a beautifull healthy litter of 7. (although I did resusitate the last one as he was not breathing).. yes I even cried.:)

I should have e-mailed you sooner as I stupidly thought she wouldn?t go on heat again until November. The pups were born june 10th and I thought it would at least be 6 months after she weened the pups, that she would go on heat again. As it has only been 3 months from weening , is this normal?? She started bleeding yesterday 23/9/07

She is in excellent health and we were going to have her spayed as hubby doesn?t want to go through it again. (very hard when you both work full time.) although I loved every minute and would sit with her and the pups for hours? I know I can't get her spayed until she finishes her heat. How long do I wait until she has finished to then get it done?? We have also kept one of her beautifull pups who is know about 14 weeks. I'm a bit worried that my male (who wouldn?t hurt a fly ) may get a bit stroppy around the pup as he will be wanting her again, and may think he's competition.

The pup is now 11.2kgs and my male is 26kgs. I will have to leave her inside during the day so my male cant get to her.

I may even decide to breed her again, now I have time to really think about it. It was a wonderful experience. Not this heat though. (next year) I would appreciate any thoughts you and ideas you may have about my questions.

Thanks again. Mel.
Perth western Australia