male dogs hanging around your house. Website design By BotEap.com3. When does a bitch go into heat? Website design By BotEap.comThe average female dog has her first cycle around six months of age. Some dogs start earlier and some later, even up to 14 months. Website design By BotEap.comIf you have a new puppy, you should observe her and note when she has her first cycle. If she is 14 months old and not yet in heat, you should take her to the vet. Website design By BotEap.com4. How long is the heat cycle? Website design By BotEap.comThe average is three weeks or 21 days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks, while others last four weeks. Website design By BotEap.com5. How often will she be in heat? Website design By BotEap.comMost female dogs have regular cycles, usually every six to eight months. It is quite typical to be in heat twice a year. Website design By BotEap.com6. When can you get pregnant? Website design By BotEap.comShe can get pregnant only when she is in heat. some breeders
it tests progesterone levels to identify your most fertile days, but the general rule of thumb is that your most fertile days are 11-15 of your cycle. Website design By BotEap.comNote: When in heat, the average bitch will allow any male
dog to ride However, few females will accept a male when
they are not in heat. Website design By BotEap.com7. Can you get pregnant on your first cycle? Website design By BotEap.comYes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you have to do genetic testing and some serious problems like hip conditions don’t show up until the dog is about 2 years old. Website design By BotEap.com8. Can I take her for a walk during this cycle? Website design By BotEap.comYes carefully. She doesn’t have a problem with exercise, but she is a walking magnet for male dogs. Website design By BotEap.comEven the best trained and educated female dog will succumb to hormones. You can’t trust her off leash or out of your control. Never leave her outside alone, even in a fenced yard, if there is a chance that male dogs are near her. Website design By BotEap.comFor walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it’s a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for a ride there and drive back home. Otherwise, the smell of her urine and vaginal discharge will find a way to your house. Website design By BotEap.com9. When can I sterilize it? Website design By BotEap.comThe answer to that has continually changed over the years.
25 years I’ve been in the dog business. People were told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let her have a litter. Website design By BotEap.comToday, vets are doing it much sooner. Some vets spay at 6 weeks of age! Talk to your vet about your dog and the vet’s preferences. The state of veterinary medicine has also greatly improved in the last 25 years. Website design By BotEap.com10. If you don’t get spayed, you’ll go through menopause. Website design By BotEap.comNo. Your fertility may decrease, but you will not go through a menopause comparable to that of a human being. She will not lose her ability to get pregnant even when she is older, so if she does not want her to have any (or more) litters, she should be spayed.