1. What is heat?
Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs may get pregnant. It's equivalent to human menstruation.
2. What are the symptoms?
Females bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don't expect bleeding comparable to a human female.
For small dogs, it's usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Other than the bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be male dogs hanging around your house.
3. When does a dog come into heat?
The average female dog has her first cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months.
If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If she's 14-months old and still hasn't't been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian.
4. How long does the heat cycle last?
The average is three weeks or 21-days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks.
5. How often will she be in heat?
Most female dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It's quite typical to be in heat twice a year.
6. When can she get pregnant?
She can get pregnant only when in 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 she's in heat, the average dog will permit any male dog to mount her. Few females, however, will accept a male when they're not in heat.
7. Can she get pregnant her first cycle?
Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you need to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not show up until a dog is approximately 2-years of age.
8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle?
Yes with care. She has no problem with the exercise but she's a walking magnet for male dogs.
Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones. You can't trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby.
For 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 the walk there and drive back home. Otherwise, the scent of her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail to your home.
9. When I can have her spayed?
The answer to that one has changed continually over the 25-years I've been in the dog business. People used to be told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter.
Today, veterinarians are doing it much earlier. Some vets spay as early as 6-weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog and the vet's preferences. The state of veterinary medicine also is much improved over the past 25-years.
10. If I don't have her spayed, will she go through menopause.
No. Her fertility may decline but she will not go through menopause comparable to a human's. She won't lose her ability to become pregnant even as a senior so if you don't want to her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed.
Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and the creator of http://www.toybreeds.com, your online resource for Toy breed dogs.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carOur pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into... Read More
My two therapy dogs, Nikki and Benny, bring joy to... Read More
Understanding where horses come from has been a long road... Read More
Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don't... Read More
It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and... Read More
From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More
Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More
A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Dogs make great loyal pets and are always pleased to... Read More
Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at... Read More
The pet food industry, a billion-dollar, unregulated operation, feeds on... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
The act of offering Christmas gifts is always enhanced if... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More
Did you know that dog toys are actually good for... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
This is a question that has been asked of me... Read More
Now that you're dog has shown you so much love... Read More
OriginDo you know that the adorable little puppy you bought... Read More
So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
1) Why should I crate train my dog? ... Read More
One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract... Read More
Hi,I'm Janet CombsMy mother bred and raised Bichon Frises for... Read More
Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
Pets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More
Whether you're a new dog owner or have had dogs... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
If your dog could talk, these are some of most... Read More
The answer is "no" if you are the type who... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are... Read More
Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
Pet |