How do I know when my female dog is ready to mate?
Proestrus: Proestrus is the start of the heat period where your dog’s body is preparing to mate. Signs seen during this phase include a swollen vulva, blood-tinged discharge, excessive licking of the genital area, clingy behavior, and aggression toward male dogs. Your dog may also hold her tail close to her body.
When should you breed your dog for the first time?
The prime time when discussing dog breeding is the few years starting from 18 months of age until her puppy count sharply declines, usually around her 5th or 6th year of age. This is the best time to breed a female since her fertility is at an all-time high thanks to high progesterone levels.
Will a female dog breed while bleeding?
You will also notice that her vulva (female genitals) will swell up significantly and will protrude outwards. Mostly, (but not always) the female will not be interested in mating a male at this time, even if he is interested in her. After about 9-10 days, the bleeding will become more watery, or stop.
How long does a puppy’s first heat last?
Heat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and you’ll know the cycle is over when all her vulva returns to its normal size and there’s no more bleeding or discharge.
Is it OK to breed a dog on her second heat?
A female dog reaches sexual maturity at around six months old. The stage of the cycle when she’s receptive to mating is called estrus, or heat. Responsible breeders never breed a dog on her first or even her second heat. It is considered best practice to wait until her third heat, at about 18-24 months.
How old is a female dog when they go in heat?
On average, puberty (or sexual maturity) is reached at about six months of age, but this can vary by breed. Smaller breeds tend to have their first estrous cycle at an earlier age, while large and giant breeds may not come into heat for the first time until they reach eighteen months to two years of age.
Do dogs get depressed after being in heat?
These perfectly normal hormonal fluctuations can physiologically make your dog’s body (and sometimes her mind) think that she is pregnant. As a result, after any heat cycle, your dog can experience most of the same signs of pregnancy as when she’s not actually pregnant: Early lethargy.
Why does my dog look sad when she’s in heat?
Then, as she comes into heat, her estrogen levels rapidly fall and her progesterone levels go up. More often than not, these abrupt changes in her hormones manifest themselves as nervousness or minor irritability, but they can get more serious. Sometimes a dog can become aggressive when she’s in heat.
Are female dogs depressed when in heat?
If your female seems particularly agitated during her heat cycle, this is normal and to be expected. To help keep her calm and quiet, indulge her a little bit. Provide a few extra treats or a special toy and allow her some additional one on one time with you to give her comfort.