When will my dog start going into heat??

[Tara]

She is 7 months now.

When does it start?
How long does it last?
And when will the next sessions start?

I'm new to having a bitch all my dogs have been male

[GSDAlphaMom]

Typically it's close to a year but they can come in earlier...Gilda's first heat was at 9 months. They are normally 3 weeks but can go longer, they are normally every 6 months but some dogs go every 4 months. They can have a split heat, that will typically be 2 months afte the initial one and ususally it's the 2nd in a split heat that they can get pg. They can also have a silent heat in which you will not see the typical signs (discharge).

You will need to keep her away from all males during her cycle.

[Tara]

Thanks! Do they discharge allot?

She is very rarely near any male dogs and I don't want her having puppies for about a year or two yet.

[SchDDR]

You'd have to ask the breeder what to expect as to when.
Different lines mature at different ages. Some bitches come into heat at 6 months. Some at 18.

She'll come into heat 6-8 months after the previous heat.

Bitches are in heat for about three weeks. If you're being watchful, you'll notice a swollen vulva first.

I would recommend having her spayed after her first heat.

[Elaine]

Originally Posted by Tara

Thanks! Do they discharge allot?

She is very rarely near any male dogs and I don't want her having puppies for about a year or two yet.

Some bitches bleed like a stuck pig and others are very clean. It totally depends on the dog.

Are you planning on training, competing, and titling your dog?

[Emoore]

If she's an indoor dog you might want to invest in the little panties they wear to protect your house.

[Countrymama]

Thanks so much for this post! Ziva is coming up on 6 months and although we'd like to breeder her later, the fearful black lab next door isn't our pick. *L* She needs a real man! Now I know what to look for in her.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by Elaine

Are you planning on training, competing, and titling your dog?

I also want to know if the OP plans on doing this, it should be done before even considering breeding.

[Micky]

Stella has just completed her first heat, she was seven months on May 21st.
I have had 2 previous femaale dogs but it was so long ago I had forgotten what to expect if anything. She did not bleed alot some drips here and there, she was very clean always pampering herself. We also noticed that she was more cuddly and huggy, listened better all around way quieter, now after the weekend and the cell phone incident ( see other thread) yes same dog she is back to her normal spazzy self!! WE did notice that the fur on her hind legs, rear area seems to get fluffier We thought alot about those red assed baboons Anyway here is hoping that her next heat is a ways off !

[RogueRed26]

I, hopefully, calculated Texas's next cycle. If my numbers are correct, it should be late August or early September. I am definitely not looking forward to it. I am still trying to contemplate in fixing her now (11 months) or still wait till she fully matures. She is on the small end, most of my friends and family think she is officially done growing, but I also don't want to risk interferring with her growth. Has anyone fixed their female at 12 months? Or should I wait till 18 months as suggested?