1. What is heat?
Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs can get pregnant. It is equivalent to human menstruation.
2. What are the symptoms?
Women bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Do not expect the bleeding similar to a human female.
For small dogs, that’s usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Apart from the blood, the most marked symptom can
Male dogs hanging around your house.
3. When a dog come into heat?
The average female dog has her first cycle of six months. Some dogs start earlier and dogs later, even as late as 14 months.
If you have a new female puppy, you should see your letter and when she has her first cycle. If she is 14 months old and still hasn’t't been in the heat, you should take her to a vet.
4. How long does heat cycle last?
The average is three weeks or 21 days. In some dogs, lasting only two weeks, while others go four weeks.
5. How often should be in heat?
Most dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It’s typical to be in heat twice a year.
6. When can you get pregnant?
You can get pregnant only when in the heat. Some breeders
test for progesterone levels to identify the most fertile days, but the rule of thumb is that the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle.
Note – when in heat, the average dog permit any man
dog to mount. Few women, however, accept a male when
that are not in heat.
7. Can you get pregnant your first cycle?
Yes, however, responsible breeders generally do not raise a dog than the first. First, you have to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not appear until the dog is about 2 years old.
8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle?
Yes, with care. She has no problem with exercise, but she is a walking magnet for male dogs.
Even the best trained and behaved dog will succumb to hormones. You can not trust her off a leash or out of control. Never let her outside by herself, even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby.
For the rides, if males in his neighborhood, is a good idea to bring your dog in the car and drive to a remote area. Down the road and not drive home. Otherwise, the smell of her urine and vaginal secretions that open the way home.
9. When you can have her spayed?
The answer to that question has changed continuously over the
25-years I’ve been in the business of dog. People used to be told that your dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter.
Today, veterinarians are doing a lot earlier. Some veterinarians sterilize after 6 weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s veterinarian and preferences. The state of veterinary medicine has also been greatly improved over the past 25 years.
10. If I do not have operated, you go through menopause.
No. Her fertility may decline but she did not go through menopause comparable to a human being. Do not lose your ability to get pregnant, even in his last year so if you do not want her to have (or more) litters, she must be sterilized.
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