According to this article, Estrous cycle in dogs - Signs and Stages of Dog Estrus | VCA Animal Hospitals, "the large and giant breeds of dogs may not come into heat for the first time until they reach eighteen months to two years of age".

 

Cyra was 18 months.

 

Don't worry about it. Some dogs have their first heat early, some late, some even later. When her body is ready, she will have her first heat cycle.

 

Penny went into heat 3 days ago... I have some questions... I read that males wont be interested in her until she stops bleeding or around day 7 - 9 of her heat cycle... so would it be ok if I take Penny to play with her unfixed male dog friend until then? Would it be ok if I walk her still?

I have (that I know of ) 5 large unfixed male dogs in my neighborhood, two of which are only contained with a 3 foot fence, are my concerns valid about these two jumping the fence to get to her? I do not have a fenced yard, so I am worried that if I have her outside that these two dogs which are at least twice the size of Penny may come charging at us (now I plan to keep Penny on her 30ft lead until she is out of heat even though she has never shown interest in leaving the backyard, just to be on the safe side). When people say that male dogs will be coming into my yard, are they exaggerating ?

 

Oh dear......where to start.

These are my opinions and may vary from person to person here.

NO walks.....anywhere. Is very risky. Males can become very aggressive around a female in season and you could be powerless to stop a tie.

ALWAYS supervised when outside...From day one to end of heat.

I would not allowed play dates with neutered males nevermind intact males.

You have a very big responsibility to protect your girl from all dogs for the next 21 days...perhaps 30 days.

With no fenced in yard, several known intact males in the area with minimal fencing themselves, you have your hands full. 3 foot fences are easily jumped for many dogs and will provide no protection at all to your girl in heat.

Supervise, supervise, supervise. Get yourself a stick while outside in your yard exercising her. I myself would stick to a six foot leash.

I don't envy you, been there and did not enjoy it. One minute of no supervision could mean an unplanned pregnancy for a young dog.

 

Please don't take chances with her. I have had intact females and have had both intact and neutered males that began noticing their heat cycle very early - as early as day 3. One of my neutered rescued males would tie with my champion non-GSD female every opportunity that he got between day 3 and about day 27 - both before and after she was long done bleeding and being receptive. I would not take ANY chances with her since it only takes a few seconds for a tie to happen whether the male is neutered or not. Every female is different and every male is different too. Some males will ignore unless they are ovulating and others like my neutered boy will take advantage of every opportunity.

Even if the male is neutered, you can get complications like infections and you can also have a scenario where the female is not happy and the male is separated too early, thereby injuring the male dog. It is really better not to take her around anywhere that she can have any possibility of contact with male dogs.

 

Best to limit the walks and don't leave her on her own as the males will get her scent and jump walls to get to her.

There is no exaggerating about it, males will do anything to get with females when in heat. You might end up with a few of those dogs camped outside your place, That is if they get the scent. You can mask it and try to limit exposure by not walking your girl around.

 

nope, nobody is exaggerating. Once her scent is in the air, males will be around your yard. I have seen dogs chew through fences to get to females in heat. Do not let her outside for a second without you. I have heard of males chewing through sheetrock to get to females in heat.
As stated by others, take no chances. Not common, but not unheard of, girls being bred on day two and three of their heat and as late as day 21 and 22. Don't count on blood as being your timeline for safety. Until she is no longer swollen at all and there is no signs of blood or any color discharge, consider her able to be bred. I would take all precautions for a month.