Heat: A few questions

Dunny

Age of first heat?

How long does it last?

How often does it happen?

Tell - tale signs?

DBB

Age: depends on the size of the dog, with a huge amount of individual variation. Terrier breeds and small dogs, 7-10 months of age. Giant breeds: 1 year+

Lasts about 3 weeks. Starts off with about 10 days of bloody discharge, which changes to a yellow-cream colour for the most receptive part of the heat cycle. The middle week is most "dangerous" in terms of conception rate, but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security about Weeks 1 or 3.

Most dogs come into heat twice per year, each 6 months. Some small breeds come into heat three times a year.

Tel-tale signs: as above, a bloody discharge usually marks the beginning of heat, though not all bitches show this sign, taking owners unawares. These are called "silent heats".
She may become a little quiet and down in herself.
She may have other mood changes, there's a lot of individual variation.
She may pee more, and may pee in the house when she doesn't normally.
She will probably root at herself more, cleaning her genitals more often.
Her vulva may swell somewhat.
She will become very interesting to other dogs, males especially. By Week 2, she may chew through wire fencing to get out to male dogs in order to mate.

lorebringer

Dunny wrote: »

Age of first heat?

How long does it last?

How often does it happen?

Tell - tale signs?

Age - depends on the dog but generally smaller dogs come into heat earlier than larger dogs. Small dogs can come into heat as young as 6 months (I have heard of 5 before, but this is exceptional) while larger breeds can be more like the 10/12 month age.

Length - 3 weeks usually, some dogs will go a few days/week either side of this. Once you notice anything, keep your dog supervised outside at all times (males will bust through fences to even when the dog is outside in your own back garden, you will need to keep an eye on her)

How often - like age, this really depends on the dog. Each female develops her own heat cycle, some can be as close as 4/5 months apart while others may only come into heat once a year. Generally, smaller breeds will have a shorter cycle (that is, more frequent heats). 6 months is a good rule of thumb but heat cycles, particularly the first few, can be a bit irregular.

Sign - Swollen vulva, licking at the vulva more frequently, bloody discharge from the vulva (which be anything from discolourd mucus to thick - and it tends to change consistancy throughout the heat), your female may becomes quiet in herself and not too keen on company, she may get a bit narky with other dogs in the house. Some get affected (mood wise) by heats quite a lot while others don't so you really need to read your own dog.

As DBB already said - by week 2 she will be mad to get at males, presenting herself to them and very anxious to check out other dogs. Never underestimate the power of a bitch in heat, or the males trying to get at her, supervision outside is a must at all times and keep her seccurly in the house otherwise. They will dig and break through anything, cause themselves injury, mate through fences... if you can imagine it, they will do it.