LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Susan,

It actually sounds as though your female is having an abnormal heat cycle, perhaps a split heat cycle. It may be a good idea to call your vet and discuss what's going on.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog went into heat 30 days ago,around 25 days she stopped bleeding and thought she was done we have another dog a male and have kept them apart although around the 26th day they were out of my site for a few minutes and i think he may have penetrated her, she started bleeding again i believe this is why she has started spoting,am i right? She is back in a diaper again but still licking her self and he wont leave her alone most of the time!

-- Contributed by: Susan

Hi James,

No, that wouldn't be possible. Dogs are quite different from humans in that a female can only mate when her cycle prepares her body for it. Spaying eliminates that cycle, so breeding is no longer possible.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Can a ... be fixed so she can mate but not get pregenent?

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Hannah,

I can't say for sure whether your dog is pregnant, but if she is, she wouldn't put on much weight around the middle until about the sixth week of gestation forward. That's when those little pea-sized embros begin to put on their rapid growth spurt.

We have some articles on the site that can help you determine whether you dog is pregnant, but your vet can also check with a simple blood test.

Check out:

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 1 year old Mongrel who went on heat about 1 month ago but escaped while she was 2nd stage.She acts as if she is pregnant but hasn't grown around the middle hardly at all.Is she pregnant or not???

Thanks for any advice Hannah

-- Contributed by: Hannah

Hi,

We have some great articles on this topic to help you get started. Check out:

Don't hesitate to come back with more questions after you read those. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

like to know how ican tell my dog will deliver

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Happy,

At 10, your dog may have some decreased fertility, but many males remain fertile in their senior years as long as they do not have accompanying health problems. That said, many males lose the instinct to breed if they haven't been broken in at stud by age two or three. If your male has never been used before, he might not be able to get the job done. I would suggest having your vet give him a good physical exam to make sure he is healthy enough to breed and base your decision whether or not to give it a try on that information.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My male dog is 10 years old and we just got a 2 yr old female. What is the normal age that a male dog is no longer fertile?

-- Contributed by: Happy

Hi Peter,

It's only okay to breed on the first heat cycle if the dog is fully grown and mature. In toy breeds, this would be after the female is a year old. In medium to large breeds, you'd want to wait until the female was 18 to 24 months old. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

is it ok to breed on the first heat

-- Contributed by: peter

Hi Dolly,

Can you tell me what day your dog is on? You'll also need to wipe her vulva with a white tissue to check her color. It will be a light pinkish tan when she's ovulating. I can't be certain, but she may not be quite ready yet, so maybe in another day or two. Keep us posted. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a male and a female dog, my female is in heat and my male will not breed her. She is in full heat, he smells her licks and and leaves her!!! I have never seen anything like it? What could the problem be?

-- Contributed by: Dolly

Hi Leslie,

Females generally don't come back into heat the next time until four to six months after the litter was born. So for now, things should be alright, but I'd advise against letting your male hang around mom and the litter until after the pups have received their first shots. Adult dogs can be silent carriers of illnesses that pups can't fight off due to their immature immune systems.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I'm not wanting to have a back to back litter and she and the stud are always together. do I need to separate them and if so for how long? Thank you for your time. Leslie

-- Contributed by: can the ... come into heat right after having pups like horses do?

Hi Patti,

Welcome, and I'm glad you're enjoying the site.

Yes, there are products to use for a female in heat. One type is called Doggie Britches. They are a vinyl snap-on type of panty that has a compartment to place a pad or folded tissue. The pants come is several sizes, and the straps are adjustable. There's also a hole for the tail.

There are also doggie diapers that can be used to serve the same purpose of catching the drainage to keep from staining furntiture and carpets.

Both of these products are easily found at most pet supply stores as well as online. Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 9 month old Anatolian ... is coming into heat, do you know of any feminine hygiene aids that will help contain the bloody discharge? Doggy diapers? I have a male Anatolian who is just under two years old, and hasn't really got it sorted out, yet. I want to wait at least another year, if possible, before letting them breed. I am keeping them in separate corrals. Thanks for your great informative site.

-- Contributed by: Patti Chappel

Hi Corrina,

Yes, it is possible that your female could be trying to come into heat for the first time, so you'll want to keep a close eye on her. Some pups do come in as early as five months, but sometimes the swelling begins a few weeks in advance of when discharging begins. That first heat cycle can be a bit untypical of later cycles.

All of that said, the vulva can also become a little swollen if your female is experiencing a urinary tract infection, so you may just want to give your vet a quick call to see if she should be examined. Hopefully this is not the case.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 5 month old female pit bull puppy.......I noticed her vulva getting a little puffy. Is there anyway she would be going into heat early? She just turned 5 months old. I have a 3 year old male pit bull that I want to ensure does not try to mate with her on her first heat! How horrible would that be!! Thank you for your assistance!!


-- Contributed by: Corrina Williams

Hi Sarah,

A young, untried male may take longer to clue in, and your female won't be ready to breed until around the second week of heat anyway. We have a great article on this topic that contains the info you need. Check out Dogs Mating, and don't hesitate to ask more questions afterward if you need to. In fact, I'd like to invite you to our Dogs forum. We have a section there that covers breeding and you can get a lot of good advice there. I hope you'll visit us. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi , i have two boxer dogs.the female is two and the male is one. the female is currently at the start of her cycyle and we are worried that the male isnt paying that much attention to the her. we are wondring should we take them away from each other for a few days as they are constantly in each others company and they are more like best friends now. what should we do?

-- Contributed by: sarah cunningham

Hi TG,

Yes, the female can take from both studs. There's only about one week of the fertile phase, and that's not enough time to judge whether a breeding took, so it's best to use just a single stud and permit two to three breedings to ensure fertilization. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

What if u don't think one stud took and later try another stud w/female,can she take from both?

-- Contributed by: tg

Hi Debbie,

It sounds like your dog's vulva may not have softened up enough to permit penetration just yet. It may be another day or so before the male is able to complete the breeding.

I'm also wondering if this is the male dog's first breeding or if he is a proven stud? It's usually better to pair a maiden ... with a proven stud so things will go smoother.

Right now, keep trying the dogs together periodically to see if she is truly ready. Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female yorkie will not let my male penetrate her. She is three and this is the first time we have tried to mate her. She is going everything right until he gets close to penetrating her and she yelps and bites at him.

-- Contributed by: Debbie

Hi Gerardo,

The stud and ... owners usually decide this in advance between themselves. Traditionally, the stud owner receives the pick of litter puppy back as payment for the stud service, and the ...'s owner keeps the rest of the litter. In a case where there is only one puppy in the litter, the bitch's owner keeps it, and the stud owner offers a repeat stud service and receives a puppy from that litter, even if it's the only one. Hope that helps you sort it out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello,I have a male yorkie and a friend has a female .We would like to breed them.My question is who gets to pick 1st? What are the picking rules once the puppies arive? Thanks G

-- Contributed by: Gerardo

Hi Theresa, and welcome to the site.

Since your female is from a top breeder, the very best thing you can do is go back to the breeder for advice. This person knows the line better than anyone and should be able to recommend the right stud dog to compliment your female's confirmation.

If for some reason you can't get in touch with your breeder, you might want to consider joining the closest Corgi breed club so you can meet other breeders and learn as much as you can about Corgis before you begin breeding.

Hope this info helps, and good luck with your future endeavors. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I am just wondering what is the best way to find a male dog to breed my Corgi with????? She is in her first heat and I am wanting to wait another year or so to breed her and let her be a Mommy one time. She is a very special dog from a top breeder and I would like to breed her with a good breed male Corgi. Also, how long does there cycle normally last???? Thanks in advance for you input

-- Contributed by: Theresa

Hi John,

It could actually go either way, and it depends a lot on how much stress the litter put on your dog's body. She won't come back into heat until her personal resources, which were depleted while carrying and then later nursing the puppies, are replaced.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female and see comes in every 6 months and she had a litter 4 months ago. When will she cycle in again? Is it 6 months from the puppies being born or is it 6 months from the last time she was in? thanks for the help.

-- Contributed by: John Cox

Hi Charles,

It may be slightly too early. Has the female's vulva softened up? Has the color of her discharge gone from red to pinkish-tan? These are two of the most important signs to look for along with the flirting.

Has your male ever bred a female before? If not, it can be a bit more difficult to use a five-year-old male for the first time. I recommend bringing these dogs together just once a day to see if they are ready to complete a breeding. Keeping them apart the rest of the time creates some anticipation and sometimes helps the male to try harder when he has the opportunity.

Thanks for your question, and let us know how things go. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have been approached to breed my 5 year old red male doberman-the 4 year old female is in heat and has been for about 10 days-when the were introduced there wasnt a lot fireworks so to speak is it possible the dog may be too early in her cycle ? Any suggestions-I am not sure of the timing of the female's cycle as the owner wasnt quite sure.. thank you---charles m

-- Contributed by: charles m

Hi Papacomb,

It sounds like your female's vulva may not have ripened quite enough for entry. She may be ready in another day or so. In the meantime, separate the dogs so your male doesn't wear himself out.

Feel free to ask more questions as needed, and we'll try to help. You may even want to seek help in the Breeder's Corner on our Dogs forum :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a male and female schnauzer and the female is in heat. We this is the ...es 3rd cycle and we are trying to breed her. The male has mounted her no stop thoughout the day but after 4 to 6 humps stops and goes to lick the .... The male is 18 months old. Is there a problems? Randy

-- Contributed by: papacomb@cableone.net

Hi Jasmine,

This isn't too unusual. Many males become very anxious when a female in heat is around. It may be helpful to take your male out for some fresh air where he can get his mind off your female for a while. Take his food along to see if you can persuade him to eat, but he will eventually eat on his own when he gets hungry enough.

Although it seems worrisome, it's only a temporary situation, and things will get back to normal in a couple of weeks. Hang in there. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a male and a female and my female is in heat for the first time and we are going to wait till the 2nd or 3 heat to breed them.Well my male is going crazy to say the least and now he wont eat is this normal?

-- Contributed by: Jasmine

Hi Chris,

As far as I know, the AKC will not register a litter unless both parents are registered with the AKC. After checking out the NKC website, I believe they may accept registrations from dogs registered through AKC, but you should follow up with them to make sure. You can find their website at:

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Question? If you breed an AKC dog with an NKC dog are their offspring registered as AKC or NKC or both?

-- Contributed by: chris

Hi Jennifer,

Having a litter of pups often sets back the regular heat cycle just a bit. Most females come back into heat between four to six months after the litter. A lot depends on how large the litter was because nursing the pups saps a lot of mom's energy, and she needs to regain her lost body weight before she will come in heat again.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Will a female that just had a litter come into heat six months from her previous cycle or 6 months from when she gave birth?

-- Contributed by: Jennifer

Hi Marty, and welcome to the site.

If your dad's dog is neutered, there's no chance he can impregnate your female, so there's no worries on that account. However, he may still have the urge to breed so expect him to show a lot of interest in your female. If he bothers her too much or becomes too anxious, you may want to separate them to avoid exhaustion.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Anita,

There's a good chance your dog was in heat before she managed to escape, and that may be why she wanted to get out so badly. You'll want to discuss the entire situation with your vet, but it's best to wait until the heat cycle is over before having her spayed. Some vets are willing to spay during the heat cycle or even during a pregnancy, but the increased blood flow to the uterus does increase the possibility of bleeding complications during the procedure. Your vet can help you decide the best course of action to follow.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out alright. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog just came into heat. I am taking care of my dad's dog whom is spayed. Do I need to worry about keeping them apart during the estrus time?

-- Contributed by: Marty

hello, my dog got out of the house saturday just gone, she came back and was bleeding from her valva, has she been mated by a dog, or has she come on heat, i dont want pupps, so when can i have her spayed ! thankyou !

-- Contributed by: Anita

Hi Amy,

While it's very possible your dog could get pregnant from her first breeding, there's no guarantee. Still, it's more than likely. The best thing you can do now is consult your vet about your options. The vet may agree to spay her, and that would quickly put an end to the possibility of a litter. Some vets are willing to spay at this time, others are not, so best to consult your vet directly.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out for you.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my female dog who i thought was out of heat because she was not bleeding anymore got locked with my male.does the first time always take.and is there any thing i can do because i did not want her to have puppies

-- Contributed by: amy

Hi Linda,

It would be unusual for your female to come back into heat so quickly while she's still nursing the puppies. What kind of signs are you seeing that makes you think your dog is in heat again? If you're seeing blood discharge, it may be a sign of resumed uterine bleeding from the delivery, and this would be cause to have your vet examine her. The vet will check for any abnormalities and possible infection.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this info helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Amy,

It can be a bit difficult to determine when a female is fully out of heat. Watch for a complete stop to the discharge - you can check this by wiping your dog's vulva with a white tissue to look for any color. If the tissue shows only a clear wet spot, there's a good chance the cycle is over. Also watch for the swelling of the vulva to go down. It may not return completely to normal size, but it should reduce quite a bit from the enlargement during the heat cycle.

Finally, you'll need to watch your males and gauge their reaction to your female. If there's still a lot of sniffing going on, she may still be giving off the scent of heat. It's helpful to give her a good bath at the end of the cycle to help remove any lingering scent. I hope this info helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my lab had puppies on 7may09. today she seems to be in heat. Is that possible after only 5 weeks. She still tries to nurse and I am keeping them away from her for longer periods and they are eating on their own really well

-- Contributed by: linda

i have a female and think she is just coming out of heat and she is now snapping at my males.how do i know when it is safe for her not to get pregnant.

-- Contributed by: amy

Hi Amy,

Interesting question. The amount of blood discharge varies from one female to the next, and some female barely discharge (or appear not to discharge) at all. Some dogs also take several days to begin discharging even though they have already shown other signs of being in heat. In short, a female can be in heat without showing signs of discharging, but if this is the case, the heat cycle might not be a fertile one.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

does a female have to bleed to be in heat.

-- Contributed by: amy

Hi Susan,

Very interesting. I haven't heard of this happening before since the vulva doesn't normally soften up for penetration without the hormonal flux of the heat cycle.

Was your female displaying any sign of a heat cycle? Sometime a small stump of the uterus is left behind and light heat symptoms are produced.

As for your original question about whether a dog can tie a spayed female - if you witnessed it first hand, then it can be done. However, you won't have to worry about a litter resulting if your female is truly spayed.

Thanks for an interesting question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Will two dogs "tie" together if one is spayed? I have had two vets tell me my female is spayed but yet this happened just yesterday but my friends male dog.

-- Contributed by: Susan

Hi Tertia,

Technically, yes, you can have a female spayed while she's in season. However, most vets prefer to wait until the heat cycle is finished because the extra blood flow in the uterus increases the chance of excessive bleeding during the procedure. It's less risky to spay after the cycle has ended. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

can u have a ... spayed while in season

-- Contributed by: tertia

Hi Roxanne,

I'm sorry to hear about what your dog is going through. This really isn't typical of a heat cycle, but you mentioned your dog is currently over eating. Perhaps she is experiencing above average anxiety right now and that is why she is stuffing herself and then throwing up. However, she could also have a virus. Under the cir...stances, I think it would be best to give your vet a call, explain the situation and find out if your dog should be examined. That's the only way to be sure whether your dog actually needs help or if this is something you can wait out for the next few days. Best wishes that everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi

We have a small breed (pincher/jack russel) she is 8 months old and in her second week of "heat" we are keeping her in the house and she has started vommiting frequently and alot at a time, can you tell me if this is something to do with the "heat cycle" or do we need to take her to the vet, she is eating well almost to much.

Looking forward to your answers Thanks

-- Contributed by: Roxanne

Hi Toni,

It's sounds like you're being careful to keep these two dogs apart. It's true that some females begin ovulating later in their cycle, so continue to keep your dogs apart until your female's discharge completely subsides and the swelling in her vulva goes down.

Good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have two pitbulls. The female is in her third week, and the male is finally getting aroused.. we dont want them breeding. and in order to get them apart we have to take one outside, then carefully bring the other one in. at night we have the male locked out of the bedroom, and she is in the room. ne other advice.

-- Contributed by: Toni

Hi Traci,

It's important to avoid a breeding while your female is such a young puppy. She may or may not have the instinct to care for them, but it would be at a great cost to her young body. Unless you're planning to use your male at stud, now would be a good time to have him neutered. Otherwise, you'll need to take turns keeping one of these dog confined so they don't meet up and breed. Having your female puppy wear a pair of doggie britches during her heat cycle will help keep your male from completing a breeding, but sometimes the dogs can chew them off, so I still wouldn't leave them unsupervised together. You can purchase various styles of britches at most large pet supply stores.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 6or 7 month old female.If she and my male mate will she be to young to care forthem and have them.this is my first female dog.what can i do to keep him away from her.

-- Contributed by: traci

Hi Billie,

It's not impossible, but it would be a bit unusual for her to come back into heat so quickly. Most females don't have another cycle for four to six months after the delivery. Does the discharge have a foul scent? If so, it could be sign of an infection. I don't think it would hurt to give your vet's office a quick call to describe what's going on, but it does sound as though your dog is back in heat.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My Blu Tick had puppies on February 4th 2009.She acts and is swelling like she is going in to heat now she also has a dark discharge. I would like to know if it is possible fore her to be in heat. Thank you Billie

-- Contributed by: Billie

Hi Lisa,

This happens sometimes. Perhaps your female had just eaten before the breeding and had a full tummy. I've always bred the dogs first and then fed them afterward to avoid this happening. I don't think there's anything to worry about, just ask your husband to try feeding afterward and see if that helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My husband tried breeding our female and another male the other day. He told me that after the breeding was done our female dog got sick and threw up is that normal? Is something wrong?

Thank you

-- Contributed by: Lisa

Hi Eirinngobraugh,

Even though your female was bred, her heat cycle will continue normally until it's over. The entire process typically lasts about three weeks. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My boxer went into heat approximately 1 week ago, yesterday she was bred. My question is, if the breeding was successful, will she continue to bleed? or should that stop right away?

-- Contributed by: eirinngobraugh

Hi Andreas,

Assuming the female's owner is correct about when the cycle began, the sixth day of heat is usually a bit early for breeding. Females are more typically ready between the ninth and twelth day of the heat cycle. You mentioned that the vulva is still swollen. You need to check if it is swollen hard or if it is softening up. It needs to soften a bit before breeding can commence. My hunch is that you're just a bit too early. My advice is to bring the dogs together once a day to see if they are ready. This will also create a little anticipation on your male's part, and he may become more eager to get the job done.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the breeding turns out to be successful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have read all the information about the breeding process and heat cycle of the the female. I am trying to breed my maltese stud. I am not sure if I'm to late or to early trying to breed mate him with the female. She seems to be offering herself and she is still swollen. The owner of the female, by her calculation, says that she is in her 6th day of heat. Four days ago she bathed her and noticed her bloody discharge. My stud seems disinterested in her advances. According to the information posted my first assumption is that we need to wait several more days. Although the owner of the female says another dog did try to mount her and was licking and sniffing her, she stopped him. So that is where the confusion comes in.

-- Contributed by: Is it time or am I to late

Hi Chelle,

It's going to be important to keep these dogs apart during your female's heat cycle because it is possible for your young male to impregnate his mom. If this happens, there's a small chance for abnormalities in one or more of the pups.

The average heat cycle actually lasts closer to three weeks. There's that first week of heavier spotting, followed by the second week where spotting is almost non-existent. Finally, spotting resumes a bit in the third week, and breeding is still possible until the female no longer allows it.

Most vets like to wait until after the heat cycle is completely over before spaying, so perhaps this would be a good time to have your male neutered while you're waiting for the heat cycle to end. You can consult with your vet to see if this sounds like a good plan.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello there, I have a 2yr old shih tzu and she gave birth last yr. We decided to keep a male dog from the litter. She is now in heet again and this pour male dog is going nuts. I've tried seperating them but they both just wine and wine some more. They are both on the list to get spayed and her heet started 3/3/09. I'm hoping that her heet will only last the normal 2 wks. I'd like to know if he can keep her in heet and for how long?

-- Contributed by: Chelle

Hi Jean, and welcome to the site.

All of this sounds quite normal. The roughest part of the cycle is the first week. Your dog should perk up quite a bit during the second week when the fertile phase kicks. Overall, there is really nothing to worry about, so I hope this info sets your mind at ease. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a toy fox terrier and she just turned 8 mths. She is showing signs of being in heat ( swollen vulva,bleeding,etc.)When she pees ; sometimes there is spotting of blood on the paper( we have paper trained her for now because of the cold winter we've had this year.)Is this normal? Also; is it normal for her to not want to eat. She eats at late times of the day. We had her on a regular schedule but now its way off. She also seems to be somewhat confused as to whats going on with her body and whimpers at either myself or my husband. Could this be due to the hormonal changes in her little body? And she is shedding a LOT. I have tried every suggestion given me , but the hair is everywhere. HELP!

-- Contributed by: Jean

Hi Gina,

I'm glad I could help. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Tera,

You're wise to take such a precaution to keep your Bordeaux from breeding your Boxer. The heat cycle lasts approximately three weeks, so you're going to have to make very sure your female is completely out of heat before you bring your male home. Watch for the swelling to go down and absolutely no discharge when wiping your female's vulva with a white tissue. It will also be helpful to give her a full bath to eliminate any leftover scent from the cycle, as well as wash all the doggie bedding.

As for worring about your male feeling abandoned during his vacation, you can still visit him and take him for walks. This way he'll know you're still in his life.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi Kelly, thanks for all of your advice it was very helpful. as it turns out candy had a false pregnancy. this was a good lesson for me, i couldn't stand to loose candy just for a puppy. i plane to have her spade ASAP!!!thanks for all your help

-- Contributed by: Gina 
i have 2 boxers, a male and a female. and i also have a male bordeux. i am wanting to breed my boxers, so im having my bordeux stay with a freind during her heat cycle. how long is going to have to leave the house? and how do i keep my bordeux from thinking that we have abandonded him?
-- Contributed by: tera

Hi Jayne, and welcome to the site.

I understand your concern, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Having a litter can throw off the regular heat cycle by a couple of months. It's likely that your female will come back into heat in the next month or so, but that largely depends on how much energy the puppies took out of her. Once she's back in shape and back to her ideal weight, her cycle can resume normally.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info puts your mind at ease. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my wee angel had a litter of 5 pups in sept08. she normaly has a season every six mths. but as yet has not had one. is this normal, when would she next have one plz help

-- Contributed by: jayne

Hi Gina,

From 11/18 to 12/1 is only about 14 days. Most heat cycles last about three weeks. If your Chi is pregnant, she was probably bred during that second week of the cycle. Even if we use 12/1 as the approximate date of the breeding, that would make today, 2/6, her 68th day of gestation. Although a small, single puppy might lead to a longer pregnancy, I still can't say for sure what is going on. It may be time to have your vet examine your Chihuahua to see whether or not she is really pregnant. Be sure to keep me posted.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly, candy still has no puppy's yet. she now has four swollen nipple's. my question is if she was having a false pregnancy would it last this long and would her teet's still be growing? she was in heat from 11/ 18/08 thru 12/1/08 give or take a few day's. she seems fine and is eating good exept for last night she turned down her favorite foods, but is eating good today.

-- Contributed by: gina

Hi Fector,

This is a good question, but there's no product I know of that works reliably to mask the odor of a female in heat. Dogs have incredibly sensitive noses, and even though we might not be able to smell the female, a male dog would surely be able to detect the underlying scent of the hormones beneath the deodorant. For now, the best thing you can do is keep a close eye on your female so she doesn't get caught by a male looking for romance.

Thanks for your question, and if I do find a product that works, I'll be sure to report on it. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

is there anything i can give my female dog to stop males from smelling her when she is in heat

-- Contributed by: fecter

Hi Gina,

You can begin taking your dog's temperature during the last week of the pregnancy. Take it once in the morning and once in the evening about 12 hours apart. Record your readings and watch for a drop down to 97 F. The temp will typically stay this low for two consecutive readings before labor begins within 24 hours.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

thanks kelly, the advise on delivering puppys was very helpful. at what time should i take candys temp. and how offten?

-- Contributed by: gina

thank's kelly. when do i need to start taking candys temp? and how often?

-- Contributed by: gina

Hi Gina, and welcome to the site.

I'm afraid it sounds as though your female might really be pregnant this time. As a former Chihuahua breeder, I have to tell you that breeding a female this small is very dangerous. The best thing you can do is call your vet and talk about the situation. There is a strong chance that your female will need a C-section. Chihuahuas are not hardy breeders, and I even had to have a C-section done on a four pound female. Keep a close eye on her so you'll know when she goes into labor. I think you'll find our article about Delivering Puppies very useful, but don't hesitate to take her to the vet if she appears to have difficulty pushing out a puppy.

Best wishes that all goes well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have 2 chihuahua's and my female candy is 2 yrs old and weighs only 2.4 lbs.,my male poncho weighs 3 & 1/2 lbs. I never seen them tie and candy has had false pregnancy before but not for this long. she has gained some weight in her hips and she has taken up sleeping with me . she never did this before. her teet's in the back are swollen and she wants to sleep a lot what are her chances of being pregnant this time ? this was her third heat cycle. if she is she will be due within the next two weeks. any help would be greateful.

-- Contributed by: gina

Hi Bill, good question.

Our article Birth Control Pills for Dogs contains some information on Ovaban, a product that delays heat cycles. There are some risks to using this type of product, and I'm not sure it can be used to continually delay heat cycles for several years, but these are things you can discuss with your vet if you decide to give it a try.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jolisa,

It's a possibility that two breedings will produce more puppies than one, but what really matters most is the timing of those breedings. If the female is bred once right at the beginning of the fertile portion of the heat cycle, and a good tie was achieved, the sperm will live on for several days and fertilize the eggs that are being released. If the breeding takes place later in the fertile period, after some of the eggs have already descended from the ovaries and shed in the discharge, there will be fewer puppies than there might have been.

Generally, one breeding early in the fertile portion when the female is first willing to accept the male, followed by one more breeding 48 hours later is sufficient to achieve a litter between two healthy and fertile canines. It's not productive to allow more breedings than this because it will lower the male's sperm count.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a two year old springer that I am planning on breeding in a few years. We spend a lot of time in the field and when she comes in heat it is very distracting for our other spaniels. Is there any method to abort the heat cycle for the next two to three years when she comes in heat.

-- Contributed by: Bill

Is it true that if you breed your dog more than once during her heat cycle that she will produce more puppies than if she was just breed once? I have always heard that and i was just wondering if you knew the answer?

-- Contributed by: Jolisa

Hi Kelly,

It's not necessary for the dogs to tie for your female to become pregnant. Sperm can begin being delivered before this occurs, so there's a chance this breeding could take. However, the odds are in your favor if you separated them fast enough. Just try to keep them apart the rest of the heat cycle, and watch for Signs Of Dog Pregnancy in the following weeks. If you beging to see symptoms, you may want to ask your vet to examine your female for pregnancy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out for you.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female dog on heat( more than a week) and mounted by my male dog for a minute or two and separated easily by me. Will she get pregnant?

-- Contributed by: kelly

Hi Karen,

I understand how frustrating that must be, but there's really not too much you can do about it except limit your own dog's outdoor time. Do your yards adjoin? Is the Brittany fenced in or allowed to roam? Depending on your answers to these questions, perhaps you could temporarily take your male out on leash to exercise. If the Brittany is fenced in her own backyard, perhaps you could exercise your Yorkie in your front yard where he would be less likely to catch her scent. It would only have to be a temporary solution until your neighbor's dog goes out of heat.

If any other visitors have alternative suggestions, please feel free to share them. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly 
My neighbors dog is an outside Brittney Spaniel dog and is in heat. How do I keep my little male Yorkie dog from going nuts and whinning all day for her?
-- Contributed by: Karen

Hi Pamela,

Unfortunately, I've never heard of a way to descent a female in heat. Actually, if your male is very stressed, it might be a good idea to give him a little vacation with a friend or family member. You can bring him back home when your female is finally out of heat. If you don't plan on breeding your female, it would be a good idea to have spayed before her next cycle. Neutering your dog will make him incapable of siring a litter, but he'll probably still react to her scent in future cycles.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your household is back to normal soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female miniature pinscher that is in heat. I also have a male miniature daschund, that we obviously don't want to breed. This is her second heat and we have not 'fixed' either of them yet. Is there a way to descent her so we can get some sleep...the male is not eating, or sleeping because he is soooo stressed about her being removed.

-- Contributed by: Pamela

Hi Denise,

It's very possible your female is experiencing abnormal fluctuations of her hormones. I suspect that last "season" was not a fertile one since neither of your boys reacted to her. Chances are good that this current heat cycle will be more productive. It's a good thing you are having your vet examine her. Be sure to tell him/her about the previous cycle in August. While you're there, the vet should also take a culture to check for a urinary tract infection, just to get the entire picture of what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope the situation works out for you. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We just adopted a male unfixed golden retreiver.We have had him one month. We do have a female golden also that is not fixed and we intend in breeding her with a stud who we already have with papers. She just had her period Aug. 17th and she bleed for 21 days and the two dogs never mounted but we tried the male dog was never around a female before. So we decided to try again in Feb. when she is in heat again. But she is bleeding again and its only been 3 months. Is that poss. for her to be in heat again? The male dog we have is very interested in her and now she is interested in him. can She get pregnet? Can she be in heat in this short of timc? Or do you think she has a infection in her uteris, but what confusses me is she seems very healthy and I see no puss from her vulva only blood which is pinkish brown. I wold like to have an answer before Mon. We are taking her to the vet Mon. evening.

-- Contributed by: Denise

Hi AngelPrincess,

The article above has just the info you're looking for, but you may also find our article about Dog Heat Symptoms helpful.

Good luck with the breeding. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a almost four year old dachshund and I am not sure when to breed her? She is in heat now and I know the cycle last three weeks! So how do I know when its the right time to get her pregnant?

-- Contributed by: My dog is in heat

Hi Vixen,

It sounds like your two dogs carried out a full breeding, so the likelihood of having puppies is high. You can check your dog's symptoms against those listed in our article Dog Pregnancy Symptoms. It usually takes at least three weeks after the breeding for some of the signs to begin showing. If your mom feels comfortable dealing with the possible pregnancy and your dog isn't showing any signs of distress, there's no real need to see the vet at this time. Just make sure you offer her a high quality kibble so she gets the nutrition she needs. Allow her to eat more than her usual serving size if she wants it because the pups will definitely use it.

As for veterinary costs, they vary widely from one vet to another as well as from one city to the next. I recommend you call a couple of vets in your area to ask what they charge for a standard office call, and then you can compare.

In the meantime, I think you'll find the following articles helpful.

Thanks for your questions, and feel free to come back with more anytime you need to. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

MY dog is 1 years old and is in the heat cycle also I have a male dog too thats in it. when i went outside to see them i heard yelping. when i went outside they were rear-to-rear almost stuck together from there bottoms. My mom is sure that she is pregnant but im not sure. When do u know ur dog is pregnant and can u "fix" her after she has given birth to her pups. Also i want to go to a vet but my mom says its too much money and that it's not neccessary. how much does seeing a vet cost when u want a check up ,or anything else, for your dog? i need advice please

-- Contributed by: Vixen

Hi Pat,

The best thing you can do at this point is consult your vet about the situation. There is a shot your vet can give that will abort a possible litter, but your vet will want to evaluate your dog's overall health condition and check for pregnancy before making that decision. Aborting the litter could have ramifications on your female's future fertility, so discuss the situation thoroughly before you decide what to do.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope things work out in your favor.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 6 month old Alaskan Malamute ... has been accidently mated with our older Malamute dog, we are kicking ourselves and do not know what to do as we know that this is too young a age for our girl. Is there an injection to give her so if she does catch no puppies will come, or do we leave her to have any pups that may have been conceived. Can she be damaged if she does have pups too young, she would be nine months old by the time the pups come have you any advice please we are very very concerned thanks

-- Contributed by: pat

Hi Amy,

The behavior quite likely has a little to do with both dominance and your older dog's impending cycle. I'd watch her closely because it's very likely she'll be season soon. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Linda,

No, dogs don't go through menopause like women do and can continue to have cycles throughout their lifetime. Sometimes the cycle grow further apart when health conditions and stress through things off schedule, but a healthy female with have heat cycles her entire life.

Thanks for a great question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi JTyson,

It's possible for an eight-month-old male to impregnate a female. However, that breeding still has to take place at the best time during the cycle for the sperm to catch the eggs that are being released. It's still possible that your female is pregnant, but perhpas she is only carrying one or two pups. Your vet may be able to shed some light on the situation by performing an ultrasound.

In the meantime, here are two articles that may help you pick out any pregnancy signs if they happen to be present.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all turns out well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi, i have a question. i have two females- mother and daughter. as of today, the mother has begun mounting the daughter and is doing so quite frequently. no aggressiveness or anything. just a quick mount and then they're playing again. the daughter is four and a half months old so i've been expecting the mother to come back in heat at anytime. could this be a sign that her heat cycle is about to begin or does it have more to do with dominance issues? thanks.

-- Contributed by: amy

Will a female come into heat throughout her lifetime? Do they go through menopause?

-- Contributed by: Linda

My 8 month male got tied twice with my 2 1/2 yr old female. Its been a month and she hasn't gained any weight, do you think he was too young to impregnate her?

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Kelli,

This is actually a very good question since many people assume that breeding can't take place between two dogs that are very different in size. While your Golden may not be able to fully enter your Chi, it is possible that some sperm could be delivered at the entrance of her vulva and make their way up the canal. Therefore, you should still be wary of these two managing to breed when your Chi comes into heat.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

This may seem like a dumb question, but do I have to worry about a male golden around my tiny femal chi when she is in heat? She only weighs 2.5 pounds and we just thought there is no way, but now I am wondering...

-- Contributed by: Kelli

Hi Matt,

Yes, this breeding is very possible if the female is willing to lower herself for the smaller male. If you suspect a breeding has taken place, there could be a litter on the way. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Can a large female,Goldendoddle, be pregnated by a male chiwaawa (sp)

-- Contributed by: matt

Hi Pam,

Actually there's a pretty good chance your male could impregnate your adult female. According to vets, a puppy as young as four months might be able to fertilize a female, but few are coordinated enough to complete the job at this age. However, six-month-old males can and do complete breedings with willing females, so an eleven-month-old puppy would likely be able to carry out a full breeding. This means you'll need to keep your dogs separated when your female comes in heat if you want to avoid a litter.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How old does a male dog have to be to get a female dog pregnate? My male is 11 months old and my female is 2 years old. Is there any chance?

-- Contributed by: Pam Collins

Hi Gloria,and welcome to the site.

Sounds like you're going to be expecting a litter of puppies about two months from now. Your dogs' is natural and they will continue to mate as long as the female's condition are right, so you may want to separate them. Right now, you're looking at eight consecutive due dates, and there could be a big difference in the gestational age of the pups at the time of delivery. This means there may be a few preemies depending on when the eggs were released.

We have a couple additional articles that I think you'll find helpful in the weeks to come.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you find this info helpful. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My Brussells have gotten tied up for 8 nights straight now. Is this normal behavior and if not, what do I need to do? I am almost feeling like I need to take them BOTH to the vet.

-- Contributed by: Gloria

Hi Toni,

Sorry to hear about the mishap. If a full breeding took place, there's a good chance your female will become pregnant. My advice is to try to keep the dogs apart for the rest of your female's cycle, and watch for Dog Pregnancy Symptoms. If you truly suspect she may be pregnant, your vet can perform a simple blood test to check for pregnancy hormones about three weeks after the heat cycle ends.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope things work out alright. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

JUST A QUESTION I HAVE 2 MINI SCHNAUZERS MY ... JUST FINISHED A LITTER IN APRIL AND SHE HAD MILK FEVER I HAVE HER INTO HEAT AGAIN AND I PUT ON THE PANTS SO HE WILL STAY AWAY AND IT HAS WORKED ALL THE TIME SHE HAD NEVER GOT PREGO. WHEN I HAD THEM ON SO MY QUESTION IS I PUT A DIFFERENT PAIR ON HER TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE I USEUALLY USE WHILE I WAS WASHING THIS ONE AND HE GOT HER HE TIED AND I FREEKED SO I HURRIED AND PUT THE ONE BACK ON HER IT IS A GREAT ONE WISH I HAD A COUPLE MORE DO YOU THINK SHE IS PREGO. IT IS HER SECOND DAY OF HER ACCEPTING HIM? THANKS TONI

-- Contributed by: TONI

Hi Nan, and welcome to the site.

This is a great question. There are many reasons why puppies "fade". There could be undetected gongenital defects, or the mother might be a little clumsy and wind up smothering a pup by laying on it. That said, many cases of puppy fade can be attributed to viruses, especially canine herpes virus. Puppies are very susceptible to this virus during the first two weeks of life when their immune systems are at their weakest. It's possible for the mother to infect the pups, but the puppies can also come into contact with the virus if the male dog is allowed to physically interact with them. This typically takes place when people decide it's time to introduce "dad" to his "kids".

The best way to guard against puppy fade is to have both breeding partners examined for health by a vet before a breeding takes place, and to then keep the litter box scrupulously clean so the pups aren't exposed to bacteria and viruses. Keeping the pups isolated from dogs other than mom, as well as areas where other dogs have been, will also lessen their exposure. After they have their first vaccinations, the risks begin to drop.

Thank you for your question.


-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi, i was wondering what can cause a pregnant dog to loose most of her puppys after birth,, before they reach 5 weeks old? and would it be from a disease ? and is the problem with the female or could it be the father to the pups? thank you

-- Contributed by: nan

Hi Robin,

Yes, this is fairly normal. Many females will have a false pregnancy following a heat cycle. It sounds like your dog's symptoms are mainly psychological. Unspayed females can actually produce milk and gain weight.

All that said, there's nothing to worry about. Your dog will loose interest in her "babies" in a few more weeks. You can help the process along by taking her out for walks and giving her a change of scenery.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps. Feel free to browse the rest of the site. There's a lot of good info here. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My shelter dog came into heat. It is clear she has had pups before. Not bred - had her spayed at end of cycle. Now she is acting like she has a litter of pups. Nesting and gathering dog toys - being very protective of them. Is this normal? Web searches have turned up no answer.

-- Contributed by: Robin

Hi Shawn,

Most females will follow their regular schedule and come in heat again six months after the previous cycle, even if they had a litter. This would make the next cycle about four months after whelping. However, the female's health and condition following the litter could cause a delay, making it nearly six months after the litter has been whelped. It just depends on how much stress raising the puppies put on her.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How long after a ... dog has pups will she come in heat again


-- Contributed by: Shawn

Hi Vicki,

A breeding can take place as soon as the vulva has softened enough to allow the male entry. Check out the sections titled "Signs of Readiness" above. You might also find the info in our article Dog Heat Symptoms helpful.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

when can yorkshire terrier ... be caught by my male as she has just started bleeding and i want to know at what stage in the cycle she can be caught

-- Contributed by: vickii

Hi Michael,

This would be quite unusual. Most females don't resume the heat cycle for four to six months after a litter. That said, at five weeks old, your male dogs should not have any access to your female or the puppies. It is possible for them to transmit viruses to the litter, so I recommend you separate your males from the rest of the pack.

If your female displays signs of resumed vaginal bleeding, it would also be a good idea to bring it to your vet's attention. There could be a problem with her hormone levels.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Is it possable, for a dog that has just had puppies 5 weeks ago to go into heat? As my males R sniffing and trying to mont her. And she is turning herself to them.

-- Contributed by: michael whitmore

Hi Lucy,

Welcome to the site. There's a lot of good info here, so feel free to browse around. You may also want to check out our new article about Dog Heat Symptoms.

Thanks for visiting. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Very good you would not believe the difficulty I have had to get the answers

-- Contributed by: Lucy Elliott

Hi Cindy,

If the dogs bred across all seven days, your female's due date could be 63 days from any one of those breedings. Essentially, you're looking at a due week instead of a due date. I wouldn't worry too much until the final due date has passed without any activity. Otherwise, it sounds as though all is progressing normally. Continue to watch for signs of labor. I think you might also find our article on Delivering Puppies quite helpful.

Best wishes for a healthy mom and litter. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My Chihuahuas bred at least six times in 7 days. The ... started showing signs of pregnancy, and continued to appear to be bred. We are now way past 64 days and she still acts pregnant. What has happened? What day during breeding time do you start counting from for her due date? cindy

-- Contributed by: cindy

Hi Kathy,

Yes, it will continue even after a successful breeding. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

will the heat cycle continue after breeding? I am planning on breeding my dane and want to know will her cycle continue the 21 or so days even if breeding is a success?

-- Contributed by: Kathy

Hello dhlw86,

I'm very surprised to hear that a vet was even willing to administer this shot to such a young puppy. There is such a shot, although it's rarely used, but it isn't designed to last for two years. If your friend is interested in breeding her female, the best thing she can do is have the vet examine her female for fertility issues. There may be a physical reason why this female hasn't come into heat, and it possibly may not have anything to do with the contraceptive shot.

Thanks for your question, and I'd be curious to hear what the vet has to say about the situation.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, can you please answer a question for my neighbor who does not have internet. She has a 2 yr old ...er spaniel that prior to her owning it, was given a shot to stop its heat cycle at 6 months old. I have never heard of such a shot, have you? My neighbor thinks that the shot has ceased her ...es heat cycle because she has never been in heat since the age of 6 months. Could this possibly be a result of the shot? Just curious!

-- Contributed by: Heat Cycle Question

I have a 2 yo intact tri-colored male Cavalier that I tried to breed to a Bichon. He seems to know what to do but right before he ties he pulls out & ejaculates on the ground. So I just ran my experienced tri with her. Should I rule him out as a breeding animal or is there hope from him?

-- Contributed by: nichol

Hi Kris,

Good question. Basically, you want to make sure your dog is fully mature before embarking on a breeding program. Most Retriever breeds are decent size dogs that are usually finished growing between 18 months and two years old. As a general rule of thumb this would probably make it about your female's third heat cycle, maybe the fourth, when you want to give it a try.

Hope that answers your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

When is the best time to breed your own dog? I have a retriever and eventually want her to have puppies of her own but im not sure of the ages she should be before mating her....

-- Contributed by: Kris

Hi Tessie,

A female can become pregnant even if a full tie is never achieved, so there's a good chance your female will become pregnant from these breedings.

Thanks for your question and best wishes!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Bill,

Only time will tell. You'll need to track when that second heat cycle begins in order to establish whether your female will come in once or twice a year. In my experience, a female that doesn't come into heat until she's about a year old generally turns out to cycle once a year. However, that's not a hard rule.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello Hi,

Although ten months old is not the ideal age for a female to have a litter, chances are she will do alright. Be sure to feed her a high quality kibble, and take her for easy walks to help her keep in shape. It also wouldn't hurt to check in with your vet and let him/her know what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Sharon,

Yes a female can breed to more than one stud in the same heat cycle, although it's not recommended. This means a single litter of puppies can have more than sire, depending on when the eggs were released.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

does a tie between a male and female have to last 15 to 30 minutes for the female to become pregnant. because my female tied up with a male about 5 different times but never tied up for longer than 5 minutes

-- Contributed by: tessie

My female recently began her first heat cycle, which was a few days before her first birthday. If she turns out to be pretty regular, does this mean her second heat will cycle after another 11-12 months? Or is there still a good chance that it will be more like 6-8 months? The reason I ask is because I think I remember hearing that even though the first cycle didn't take place until very late (12 months or so), the rest of them could still be every 6 months. thanks

-- Contributed by: Bill

my ... is only 10 month and it was her first heat,she had stoped bleeding,flagging and wasnt swolen,my dog had not bothered wid her for 2 days so i thought we was safe but they tied.and im woried for her health as she is so young,would it be safe to let her whelp at a young age or what are my options....please help

-- Contributed by: hi

Can a dog breed to more than one stud during one cycle?

-- Contributed by: sharon gatlin

Hi Katrina,

It's possible that the stress of the C-section and raising the litter have put your dog's cycles off track. If she doesn't have a cycle within the next three months, I would consult your vet. This may sound outlandish, but you might want to make sure the vet didn't go ahead and spay her while he was in there. I do know of one breeder this happened to, and it was without his consent. The vet just assumed he wanted it done. Hopefully this is not the case with your dog, but don't hesitate to have a discussion with your vet.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi

I am a registered breeder and I have had quite a few litters over the years and only just had to have my firt cesarean 9 months ago with a bich who had previously had no problems at all with whelping.

What I would like to know is why is it taking so long for her to come on heat again? She hasn't been on heat after her cesarean and it has been just over 9 months ago.

Could the vet who performed the operation have done something wrong? or is this normal? I have talked to other breeders and they haven't had this problem after having cesareans with their dogs.

Have you got any ideas?

Thanks Katrina

-- Contributed by: Heat Cycle after C-Section

Hi Pamela,

No, this wouldn't necessarily be a sign that the dogs bred, but it doesn't rule it out either. If you want to carry out a breeding between these dogs, it would be best to be present to prevent one or both from becoming injured. If you don't want a litter, you need to keep them separated from now until your female's cycle has completely ended.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out the way you want them to.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog is in heat her vagina is very swollen i she had spent the night w/ a male dog but was growling @ the male and showed no interest before she was corintined w/ the male her vagina was not that largly swollen/ inflamed would this be a sign of the dogs having intercouse?

-- Contributed by: pamela

Hi Kirsty,

It's possible for nearly any male and female dog to breed together, even if they have grown up together since puppyhood. However, if the two dogs you're wondering about are brother and sister, you want to avoid breeding them or you could possibly wind up with some birth defects.

Thanks for your question, and feel free to post again if you have more. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Do dogs that grow up together breed? And is it possible for them to breed?

-- Contributed by: kirsty

Hi Jimmy,

Godd question, and the answer really depends on the physical and mental condition of each animal. As a rule, you can breed males far longer than females because their end of the job requires far less effort. As for females, it's a good rule of thumb to quit breeding after the age of five. At this point, the uterus is beginning to lose some of its elasticity, and this can make carrying the pups and delivering them more difficult as the years go by. There are exceptions to every rule, but this is the premise I've followed during my years as a breeder. Hope the info helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How old is considered too old for breeding a dog?

-- Contributed by: Jimmy

Hi Amy,

Approximately how often does your dog come in heat? Some, although not many, females come into season on a quarterly basis. Not every one of the heat cycles turns out to be fertile. Most females come into season every six or twelve months.

If your female is coming into heat less than every four months, it might be a good idea to let your vet examine her and assess her hormone levels. It wouldn't be normal for her to be in heat more often than this, so it bears some exploring to figure out what's going on.

Thanks for your question and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly,

It's very possible that your female has settled into a once a year cycle. I would definitely wait to see what happens this summer before spending a lot of money on tests. There's no rush to spay at this point. You can always do it later if things don't work out.

There are many factors that can disrupt regular heat cycles. Stress, nutrition and exercise are a few to consider. If she doesn't come into season on her own by this fall, ask you vet to check her hormone levels.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out for you.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

mt dog seems to come into season every couple of months is this normal as it is worrying me as i havent had her that long

-- Contributed by: amy

Help! I have an amazing Boxer .... She is as close to perfect as AKC standards go. She is smart, well behaved and great with people and other animals. I wanted to breed her so much! I purchased a male, just as stunning, to breed with her. I got her when she was comming off her cycle, Feb of 2006. She was a year old. That was 2 1/2 years ago. Since I have had her, she has only gone into heat one time, to the day that my minature poodle went into heat. I was not ready at the time to take care of a litter of boxers, so I did not breed her. That was last July. I am hoping that she will go into heat this July. She is a very healty dog. She is vetted once a year, UTD on all shots, but her cycle is off. My vet says it is normal to go 12 months between cycles. But if you average it out, it is not 12 months. He said that I could run a bunch of tests on her to check things out. I don't HAVE to have pups from her, I would like to. Her health is my concern. Is it healthy for her to have such lapses in her cycle? Should I just hold off and see what happens? How long should I waite until I should give up and have her fixed? Any advice would be great. kel

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Anna,

False heat cycles mimic real heat cycles, except the female's ovaries don't release any eggs for potential fertilization. Hormone levels play a role in triggering all heat cycles, but when the levels are abnormal, you wind up with the false heat cycle.

If you do eventually plan to breed your female, you'll want to have her checked by your vet to find out why she isn't having normally spaced cycles. It's unlikely that the last two cycles were both fertile ones, but they might have been. Keep an eye out for the next cycle sometime within the next six months, and hopefully your female's cycles will even out as she gains maturity.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Russ-what can you tell me about false heats. My 7 month old female chihuahua came in to heat in May and when my 3 year old female chihuahua came in a month later, she came in again. Is this usual? I kept her away from my males, both times, as I know she is to young to breed right now but I had never experienced this before. Can you help?

-- Contributed by: Anna

Hi Russ,

I'm glad you're finding the site useful. As for your question, I'm not sure why the climate would play a particular role in which age to spay your pet as long as you are seeing to her care and comfort after the surgery. I believe this may just be your new vet's way of negotiating the topic around a personal belief that a female should have a heat cycle before she is spayed. Either way, it won't hurt to let your pet go through her first heat before you spay, just keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't get bred.

Thanks for an interesting question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanks for the good information regarding a dogs heat. In the past we have had a ... spayed early and there was no problem with that. We now live in Honduras and our local vet recommended waiting till after the first heat for spaying. He said, in a hot climate it is better to allow the dog to experience her first heat so her body understands she in no longer a puppy. That improves her settling down to act more mature. I would appreciate your comment. Russ

-- Contributed by: Russ

Hi Mary,

That is difficult to say without more information. Do you know when she first came into heat? The fertile portion of the cycle tends to begin during the second week of the heat, so if you're in that area she could possibly be ready. Check her vulva to make sure it has softened. If it has, you can go ahead and give it a try with the stud.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a Chihuahua/Jack Russel mix. She has a pinkish watery discharge, is it to late to breed her.

-- Contributed by: Mary

Hi Jill,

Thanks, and I'm glad you're enjoying the site!

Actually, dogs don't experience menopause like women do, so they have the capability to continue heat cycles their entire lives. That said, age and health can affect how often those heat cycles happen. I wouldn't worry too much if your dog didn't cycle over the past 12 months, but just be aware that it could begin at any time. If you notice any decline in her health, schedule a veterinary exam right away. Other than that, your dog is most likely fine. :)

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly

love your website and just wondering at what age do ...es tend to stop going into heat, or do they continue until that dreaded day, my little one is almost 12 and I dont think she has gone into heat this year??

Kind Regards

Jill & Ellie

-- Contributed by: Jill Woods

Hi Chris,

Some females keep themselves cleaner than others. You might want to purchase a pair of doggie britches from your nearest pet supply. These garments catch the drips and protect your floors and furniture. You just have to remember to remove the britches before exercising your dog.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a chocolate lab and she has come into heat earlier then I anticipated. My dilemma is that she seems to be leaving quite a bit of blood drippings everywhere and does not clean up after herself. I wonder if it's because she almost 2 and that she is not mature enough to clean the blood. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks for your help

-- Contributed by: Chris

Hi Olena,

Is there a reason you want the JRT to mate with the Chihuahua? Are you sure you will be able to place those mixed breed puppies in good homes? The reason I ask is that shelters are filled with mixed pups, and purebreds traditionally stand a better chance of being adopted, even though all dogs are worthy. Believe me, this pairing will find a way to complete the breeding if they are determined enough, but are you sure you really want a litter from these two? Your vet can perform an artificial insemination between the two JRTs if you'd rather produce a purebred litter. These are just some things to consider before you make a decision.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Paul,

First time studs aren't always able to get the job done, but they sometimes catch on in subsequent heat cycles. My advice is to takes both dogs in to the vet to have an artificial insemination done during the next heat cycle, but to let them try a physical breeding too. This way your female is more likely to produce a litter, and your male won't be deprived of practice that might enable him to breed on his own.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have 2 Jack Russell Terriers and a Male chihuahua. THe femal Jack Russ likes flirting with both males. but the Jack russ male won't notice her. While the Chihuahua tries to mount her. It's really weird. well since the chihuahua is too small, he can't reach her parts. If the Jack Russ accepts the Chihuahua, is it okay to allow them to breed? If so, how will I get the Chihuahua to reach her?

-- Contributed by: Olena

hi Amanda I have an 18 month male dogue de bordeaux and a 2 yr old .... I pated top money for both as they both have amazing pedegrees. my ... just come out of season. just after her second birthday. I let her and the dog together throughout atempting to breed them. the dogue tried his heart love him but even though he is taller than the ..., he has such a huge barrel chest , it was as if he just couldn't get close enough. this is my first attempt but obviously failed miserably. can you give me any advise please. will a vet artificialy inseminate. or will I have to if they keep failing.. Thanks Paul.

-- Contributed by: paul

Hi Amanda,

Typically it's better to breed a ... before she reaches middle age. After five years of age, the uterus tends to lose some flexibility, so it's not the ideal time to commence breeding. That said, many breeders do continue to breed after age five, and many experience no problems whatsoever. Any breeding holds the potential for risk, regardless of a dog's age. I think you should carefully assess your dog's overall condition to help you decide whether or not she should be bred. Is she in good weight, energetic with a healthy appetite? Does she seldom get sick? Is she in good temperament? If the answers to these questions are yes, a breeding at this age just might turn out alright.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes no matter what you decide. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly, We have an almost 5year old labrador female. We were thinking of breading with her only the once. We are concerned about her age. Are there any issues with breeding?

-- Contributed by: Amanda

i have a female lab, i believe mix, though original owner did buy her, though no papers were given...doesnt matter , or maybe it does ...all i know is she has been in heat, how long i could only guess 2 weeks, i also have a 4yr.old red nose pitbull, ive had the lab since she was old enough to sell, original owner who purchased her, had her 2 days and decided that she was more than he could handle. my point being is the two dogs in our home have been playmates for going on 9 months, she towers over him and will mount him, been doing that for months, what a site, really confused on why she has attempted to do the leg hump thing on people, even myself. ive been keeping the dogs seperate the past two days,im just glad that the male red nose, got alil confused and was humping her head...mind you the next time that i caught them , they werent outta my site for a second, the female lab grabbed ahold of the red nose and attempted to hump his head....i seperated them and put the male outside. when the female gets the mounting humping hold on the male rednose...she is quite definate that she is not letting go...hilarious, not to mention the look on the males face. ok my concern is that there was a time when the male did have her in the correct mounting attempted position...just not sure if entry occured. i really dont want her to get pregnant, finances dont allow for spay, though from what i am reading i have several months before the best time to spay...maybe i read it wrong. back to my concern, do the dogs have to be in the stuck mode for her to get pregnant. Her area which is extremely swollen ,in my opinion,maybe its normal, has been for months, i had no idea how old the started their first heat, someone told me that she had already been penetrated and that was like 2 months ago maybe more. i just hoped she hadnt been, and that the person didnt know for sure, i dont leave the two dogs together when i leave them both home, i have been seperating them when we all leave, they would go crazy and tear the house up , and have lots of doggie fun, learned that the first few times they were left roaming the house together with no humans home...lol. as i was typing these words...i have decided to give the vet a call, in the morning, might be worth a visit. thank you for your time in reading these words.

-- Contributed by: joy

Hi Collen,

Hang in there, you're almost at the end of your dog's cycle. It usually lasts for about three weeks, give or take a few days. Watch for the draining to stop. You can check your dog several times each day by wiping her vulva with some white tissue to check for color. You'll also notice when her swelling begins to go down. When these things happen, it's time to giver her a good bath to remove traces of the smell that's driving your males to distraction. You may also want ot wash her bedding to freshen it up too. After all of these things, you can try putting all the dogs back together. If the males relax and don't try to ride her anymore, it should be safe to leave them together.

Most vets are willing to spay just a week or two after a heat cycle has ended, so it might be a good idea to call ahead and try to schedule an appointment now.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a female dog who just turned 1, she is in heat and has been for almost 3 weeks. I have 2 male dogs who are driving us crazy, they whine, and try to hump her, so we have been keeping them away from her, but when we seperate them they still whine and sit by whatever room she is in. When will this stop? And when can i get her spayed? And one more qyestion, How will i know that it is okay to allow them to be together again, because they are big dogs and they are kinda hard to handle at this moment? Thanks

-- Contributed by: Colleen

Hi Estel,

Would this be the first time both of these dogs have been bred? If so, you may be better off using a more experienced stud to get the job done. Once your...has more experience, she can show your male the ropes.

That said, it doesn't sound like your female is quite ready for a breeding yet. Use a white tissue to wipe her vulva and check the color of the discharge. If it is still a deep red, the time isn't right for her to accept him. You want to see a light pink to tan colored discharge to indicate ovulation. You can continue to try the dogs together each day and check your female's color. Hopefully this will lead to a successful breeding. Once the fertile portion of her cycle begins to pass, the discharge will darken in color again, and eventually trail off to nothing.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Jennifer,

If I understand you correctly, it sounds as though you may have allowed your dogs to be together near the end of the fertile portion of your female's cycle. This means there is a very good chance you could have a litter on the way. To be sure, you should schedule a pregnancy blood test with your veterinarian for about three weeks after the cycle has finished.

You'll have to discuss the safety of aborting the litter with your vet. My hunch is that he/she will recommend you allow this litter to be born, if indeed your dog is pregnant, and then let her rest for a year. This won't be the first time a female has been bred on back to back seasons, and most do just fine as long as they are given a good long rest afterward. Next time, you'll know to keep the dogs separated for the entire three weeks of the cycle.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that all turns out well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my yorkie...will not take my male she act like she wants to play then runs away or sits down what can i do to help the process along, she is 16 months old and he is 18 months

-- Contributed by: estel

My female giant has been in season for 3 weeks, I have kept her totally away from our male, after 2 full weeks of being "locked away"...after she had 1week of coming in season... I checked her and she is no longer bleeding, I kept a close eye on her checked her several times and then allowed my male and female to "see" each other again... in a split second he was one her and before I could reach them they were together, and for 30 mins. they stayed that way... I was sure she was done, was I wrong? do I have a litter on the way? We just had a litter in Nov. and did not want her to have another till next year(maybe).... Help, I have heard there is an abortion pills for dogs is this true and is it harmful, and how soon do I need to get it in her? 

 thanks for any help...
-- Contributed by: Jennifer

Hi Janice,

Personally, I think it's safer to be present and monitor a breeding to make sure neither dog is injured. That said, it sounds to me like your...isn't quite ready to breed yet. I recommend you take her to your vet to have smears done. This will tell if your...is ovulating, and will also give the vet a chance to determine how much her vulva has softened and if she is indeed ready to be bred.

Sometimes it is necessary to help hold the bitch's head to facilitate a breeding, but I wouldn't do it if she struggles very strongly. I don't recommend forced breedings. If the dogs won't breed naturally, you can ask your vet to perform an artificial insemination.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope everything works out for you.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female black lab I believe to be in heat, but she is constantly running away or turning around and biting at the male. We are wanting her bred, as late spring or early summer is best for us to have her pups. Do I try to stand her still while he mounts her or just leave them together and let nature takes its course. She appears worn out and haggard after a day of trying to escape! What is best for my dogs? I have had to leave them together in the garage during the day and they are tearing up jack! I want to do what is best for my dogs and not put them in harms way. Please help. janice

-- Contributed by: Janice

Hi Phil,

It's important that a ... isn't bred until she reaches full maturity. Othwise, you could compromise her health and future well being. To put it into better perspective, breeding a six-month-old puppy would be like breeding a child. She isn't finished growing yet herself, and supporting growing puppies would deplete her own resources. She also may not be mentally mature enough to settle down and take care of the puppies, leaving you with a litter to foster. All things considered, you should wait to breed your pet. Small dogs can be considered mature between 12 and 18 months, while large breeds don't mature until between 18 and 24 months.

Thanks for your question, and wish you great success when it is a safe age to breed your dog.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

So is it a good idea to breed at 6 months or should you wait for the second heat.

-- Contributed by: Phil

my springer spaniel was mated last tuesday and today has been off her food and lethargic - is this normal?

  • Hi Janice,

This might be an early sign of pregnancy, but I would keep a close eye on your in case she is coming down with a virus. Watch for vomiting and/or diarrhea. If this starts, call your vet right away.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Janice

does an 8 yr. old german sheperd still has the capacity to get pregnant? She has never been hit even once. What is the life span of such breed?

  • Hi Jessica,

Dogs don't go through menopause like women do, so it would be possible for an eight-year-old German Shepherd bitch to become pregnant if she is having fertile heat cycles.

As for your other question, a healthy Shepherd can easily live 12 years or a bit longer with routine vet care, moderate exercise and a balanced diet.

Thanks for your questions. :)

-- Contributed by: jessica mae santiago

I see a lot of information on the physical signs that a female is in heat...however not much about the dogs behavior. I have an 12 month old Newfy, she is sick with a cold and is being treated for that by my vet, but I notice she is also very very tired,not willing to lay down to sleep and is pacing all day and night. She appears to be in discomfort though we can't find any reason for this. I was told by a friend she could be coming into her first heat and that is why she is pacing and could be the source of her discomfort. She is also not eating. Could this be the case?

  • Hi Debbie,

When a male dog senses a female in heat, he will focus all his attention on her. He will follow her around, sniff and/or lick her vulva and generally make a nuisance of himself. When she hits the fertile portion of her heat cycle, the male will typically make every possible attempt to ride her.

As for your sick Newfie's symptoms, these could still be related to her current cold. However, many bitches do have their first heat cycle around one year old, so keep watching for signs she is coming into heat. You'll probably notice her vulva begin to swell, and later on she'll begin to discharge. If you have a male in the house, watch for that initial pestering behavior.

Thanks for your questions. :)

-- Contributed by: Debbie

hello, i have a little chihuahua and she went into heat for the first time, and she's finished but her neipple are very swollen, and seem ti be getting worse everydayQ! they are starting to bruise! is this normal?

  • Hi Kaitlyn,

No, the bruising is not normal. This sometimes happens when someone checks them too much. The tissues is very tender, especially right after a heat cycle, so you have to careful. I would refrain from touching them to see if the color lightens, and don't hesitate to have your vet take a look if the coloring becomes any darker. There may be something else going on here that needs medical attention.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: kaitlyn

have ... approx. 1 1/2 yrs old first mate started her bleed we waited the nine days introduced her to her mate next day her vulva appeared to be closed when we checked her is this normal?

  • Hi Jackie,

It's harder to catch the beginning of the heat cycle with some bitches because they don't show as many signs. My hunch is that you may have missed the beginning of your dog's cycle and she is going out of heat now. Mark your calendar now so you have a good idea of when to watch for the next cycle, and hopefully catch her then.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you have better luck next time.

-- Contributed by: Jackie

Kelly, After my ... has hers pups, when should she come in heat again? She was breed in July, She had her pups in Sept. She normally runs on a six month cycle. But she missed January this time. Thanks, Jim

  • Hi Jim,

Having a litter can throw the cycle off a bit. I would expect to see her come in season this month (March). That would make it a full six months since the puppies arrival.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Jim

My puppy is 8 months and is in her first heat. She is a Chihuahua, and I noticed her vuvla was swollen almost 2 weeks ago, and I havent noticed any spotting or bleeding, should I be concerned? or is it common not to bleed during the first heat?

  • Hi Vanessa,

Good question. Some bitches bleed so lightly and keep themselves so clean you would hardly notice they were in heat at all. The second week of the heat is also usually much lighter discharge than the first week. By the third week, the bitch will usually resume discharging heavier as she comes out of the most fertile phase. This will eventually lighten again until it trails off completely.

You can check whether your bitch is discharging by wiping her vulva occasionally with a white tissue. I suspect your bitch may just be one of those dogs that has lighter season, which is a good thing for keeping house.

Thanks for your question. :)


-- Contributed by: vanessa

my dog is spotting , when is a goog time to bring her boyfriend over?

  • Hi Frank, watch for the "signs of readiness" listed above. That is usually the best time to attempt a breeding.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Frank

Hi! I have a 1 year old long hair chihuahua. The first time she went on heat, I didn't noticed as much as I did her second time, and to me, it seemed to have lasted from 1-3 days. Now at 1 years old, she's on heat again. I saw her blood on my pillow case and she tried to cover it up by licking it. I bought her diapers but she won't keep it on. She finds every possible way to take it off, so my question is, how can I get her to keep it on? and are there any other "special" diapers made for smaller breeds because she only weighs 5lbs. Thanks a lot!

  • Hi Annabel,

The typical heat cycle lasts about three weeks, but there's usually far less discharge during that middle week.

Rather than diapers, I recommend purchasing a pair of doggie britches. They are made out of vinyl and have adjustable elastic straps that snap to the main body of the britches. They have a spot to tuck a little pad in, but you can also fold a plain white tissue and use it in the slot. I've always had good luck keeping the britches on my Chihuahuas. You should be able to find them at your local pet supply shop.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Annabel

My shi-tzu had her estrus on her 9th month last feb5. People say that it's not good to have her mated that early so i decided to forego her first heat, but intend to have her mated next time around. I like to have her mated as soon as possible as she gets lonely being the only dog in the house, i intend to keep one of her puppies to serve as her companion, a female to avoid in-breeding. Is there an approximate date on when she'll have her next estrus, or is there a way she can be induced to have her next estrus sooner?

  • Hi Nato,

You wouldn't want to induce an estrus cycle sooner because your puppy would still be too young. Your puppy's health is our first concern, and having a litter too young would put major stress on her future health. My recommendation is to wait for her natural next cycle. It will likely happen in the next six months, and by that time your little Shih Tzu should be old enough to breed.

If that's too long to wait, it might be a better idea to just buy another puppy for a companion. This way, you won't have to worry about placing the extra puppies from a possible litter.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: nato

Back at the end of dec, it looked like my BC mix was in heat. So we kept her apart from my unaltered Aussie Shephed for almost three weeks. It then looked like she was pretty much done, so we let them run together and play outside. Then about a week and half later, she was suddenly in full blown heat. We noticed it and immediatly seperated them again. Two or three days after we seperated them, I guess she peaked in her heat or something(I don't know anything about breeding dogs, so pardon any wrong teminology) because my male was going nuts wanting to be with her. This took place about mid to late January. A week later, she was out of heat.

For the last couple of weeks now, my BC mix has chosen to sleep in the sun more than run and play with my Aussie. Which is unusal as she normally runs him into the ground. She has also started to eat more in the last few days and has taken to going into the bedroom in the middle of the day, away from everybody to curl up and sleep in her dog bed.

These are all behaviors that are new in the last couple of weeks or so. She has always slept in her dog bed, but never in the day when there is no one in the bedroom.

My questions are (and thay may be stupid ones), do you think she could have gotten pregnant? How would we know for sure besides waiting and seeing? I can't afford to haver her sonogramed (which is one reason we never wanted puppies, we don't feel we would really have the money for all of the vet care they say a dog needs when she is pregnant). How soon will she show if she is? Are these even pregnancy signs? What do we need to do for her if she is? What if its a false (I have heard dogs can have those) how will we know and is there any thing we need to do?

  • Hi Mut,

It does sound like your bitch is behaving as though she is pregnant. Your vet can confirm this with a simple blood test, and there is no need for further testing after that, so you could keep expenses to a minimum.

For now, I would feed her a high quality balanced dog food, and allow her to have as much as she wants when she feels like eating. This should supply enough calories to help the pups grow. Allow her to set her own pace, and let her nap when she feels like it. I would avoid letting her have too strenuous exercise.

I think you'll find the following articles very helpful.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all goes well. Let us know if you have more questions.


-- Contributed by: mut

hi i have a female boxer that is 2yrs old and she is in heat she is on her 5th day i am trying to breed her but she is so frisky and she keeps on wanting to hump him any tips you can give me? her name is shug.anything i can do to calm her down? thanks for having this article

  • Hi Dawn,

I'm glad you found this article helpful. I believe that at day five, your bitch is probably not ready for breeding yet. Although you can never pinpoint the day by the number, most bitches seem to reach the fertile stage between days nine and twelve. This is when the discharge lightens up in color and the bitch is usually willing to stand for the breeding. I would try it again in a few more days and you'll probably have success.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: dawn

I have a yorkie and I'm trying to breed him with a ... already on heat. she's on her 14 day and she doesn't seem very interested in him. Instead she jumps on top of him and tries to hump him. whenever my dog tries to jump on her she attacks him.

  • Hi Luisa,

Welcome to the world of dog breeding, where things seldom go like clock-work, lol.

Is there any chance that neither of these two dogs have been bred before? If so, they may not really understand their roles. I also suspect that the bitch is naturally the more dominant of the two.

At day 14, your bitch may be just beyond her fertile time, but your vet could confirm this with a smear. If the smear shows your bitch is still fertile, you may need to hold her in the proper postion so she gets the idea of where she belongs. If she still struggles against the male, it might be better to skip this season and try again on her next heat cycle.

Best wishes, and I hope you do get a successful mating out of this pairing.

-- Contributed by: Luisa

my min pin is going through her first heat cycle and seems really disturbed. is she in pain and is there anything i can do to ease her discomfort if any?

  • Hi Erika,

Just like women, some bitches seem to experience more pain during a heat cycle than others. This typically only last for the first few days of the cycle and then abates. If you truly feel your bitch needs help with the pain, call your vet and ask if there's an over-the-counter medicine he/she would recommend, and what the proper dosage would be for your dog's weight.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog is feeling better soon.

-- Contributed by: erika

Hi, I was hoping for some advice... is this normal? My partner and i went to great lengths to keep my 16 month old girl and 11 month old boy (both staffordshire bull terriers)away from each whilst she was on heat (and currently still is)and within 2 minutes of leaving them unattended they were tied together. However, being that it was only day 3 since she started bleeding, is it normal for a female to be receptive to a male so soon? He managed to get to her again 4 days later - so we have fought a loosing battle and i believe she is more then likely pregnant, which isnt ideal considering their ages (it is her second season). So technically speaking they have mated twice within 7 days of the beginning of the bleed. I have been told it is generally 8-12 days??? Any advice would be really appreciated. Nicole

  • Hi Nicole,

Each bitch is unique in when she is ready to be bred. However, I suspect that she may have come in very lightly in the beginning and you didn't notice the first few days of her cycle. Believe me, this happens quite a bit.

The good news is that I don't think your bitch's age will be much of a problem. If she's not totally physically mature, she should be very close to it. Just be sure to feed her well and add a couple spoonfuls of cottage cheese to her dinner at night. This will boost the amount of calcium available for the developing embryos.

Best wishes that all turns out well.

-- Contributed by: Nicole

hi my dog is on heat first time she is 7 mths of age is it ok to breed her nowas its hers first time? thanks

  • Hi Elvis, I would never recommend that anyone breed a puppy. She needs time to complete growing and maturing herself. Having a litter now would mean robbing her body of vital nutrition, and this could result in lasting health problems down the road. Please take my advice to heart, and thanks for your question.
-- Contributed by: elvis

I have a golden retriever who is approx. 20 months old and is going through her second cycle of heat. Is it o.k to breed her with another Golden who is about 2 years and 4 mos. old?

  • Hi Bill, as long as both dogs are healthy and in good condition, everything should work out fine. :)
-- Contributed by: Bill

hey i have a mongrel ... who is now 7 months old. we also have 2 other male dogs wit her all the time. when will she start coming in 2 heat first ???? should i keep her seperate from the other males.

  • Hi Alan, honestly she could come into heat anytime now. Mos bitches begin cycling between six and twelve months old. My best advice would be to go ahead and have her spayed. It's far easier than trying to keep the dogs separated.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: alan kent

Hi, My daughter has a 6 month old Boston Terrier felmale. She has been in heat for over 2 weeks. Yesterday, she started bleeding very heavy and is acting very distressed. She has always stayed in her kennel with no argument but now is poooping and peeing in it. She is also projectile vomiting out of it. She will not keep her diaper on (she did for 2 weeks) and is acting crazy. Is this normal behavior for a female dog in heat? Any help would be great! Thanks!

  • Hi Susan,

The heat cycle lightens up in the second week, but resumes for the third and final week. This could account for the blood you're seeing, but it really shouldn't be any heavier than during the first full week of the season.

The projectile vomiting has nothing to do with the heat cycle, so coupled with the soiling, I'd say you have a sick dog on your hands. My advice is to let the vet have a look at her and find out whether the situation is serious or not.

Thanks for your question, and I truly hope your daughter's dog is feeling better soon.

-- Contributed by: Susan

Hi, Can a females cycle change after she had pups? When she was bred the first time she was "ready" at day 10. This time we are trying to breed her again and she was not standing for the stud until day 16. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Chris

  • Hi Chris,

Each cycle is different, and breeding on a certain number day doesn't automatically mean that day will be a fertile day through every cycle.

It's better to watch for the signs listed in this article and then breed your dog accordingly.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the recent breeding.

-- Contributed by: Chris

My female sheltie just came in heat and our male did service here but now his eyes are all blood shot should i worry

  • Hi April

This problem could be due to the amount of extertion put on your stud dog. To be on the safe side, I'd let your vet take a look at him.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: april

I have a Miniature Pincher that is coming in heat for the second time. She is about 18 months old. Is it ok to breed her?

  • Hi Ron,

Small breeds mature faster than large breeds. If your bitch is in good health and her frame has filled out to a healthy weight, it is probably alright to breed her on this season.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Ron

Hi I know how tough it is to play the waiting game. My lab will be two years old in Feb. and she JUST came into heat and boy does she hate our mail since she has yet to go from her prestrous cycle into her actual time to breed. DOn't worry to much if you have a large breed or even a medium breed that tends to be a heavy breed.

-- Contributed by: Anne

hello, i have a female bulldog who will be one dec 28th... she hasnt come into heat yet.. ive been waiting and expecting it to happen but it hasnt come yet... she has been humping my male dog and trying to mount him for about 2 months now, once she started doing that i thought she would have come into heat at anytime... but no luck... my male dog isnt even interested in her that way...lately he started licking her down there but that is it.. should i be concerned?? what should i do? if she had a "silent" heat shouldnt my male english bulldog have picked up on it???

Thanks~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: sandie

I am considering breeding my white shepherd and would like to know at what age is the best time to breed I have heard one year and older is ok

Expert Reply

Hi Lori,

For larger dogs like German Shepherds, it would be better to wait until 18 months to two years old to breed. This is because it takes this breed longer to reach maturity, and the extra weight of the pregnancy could put too much stress on the joints. This could lead to permanent problems and possible arthritis.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Lori

Hi Deb,

A bitch will usually come into season about four months after the birth of the litter, but this time table can be affected by how large the litter was and much of mom's resources the puppies took. You might like to check out another visitor's question on this topic in our article What Influences Heat Cycles.

Thanks for your question!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How soon will a bitch come into heat after a litter

-- Contributed by: Deb A

Hi Cassie,

I don't know that it has every been officially confirmed, but I do believe that some bitches feel some discomfort at the beginning of their heat cycle. The energy loss is probably also related to the change in hormone levels. They seem to feel a bit better through weeks two and three of the cycle.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

When a dog is in heat is she in pain at all? I've noticed my lab a little less willing to do anything, she is normally a very energetic, enthusiastic dog.

-- Contributed by: Cassie

Hi Julie,

Many bitches have their first season around six months old, and have regular seasons every six months after that. Others come in around one year old and tend to have seasons just once a year.

There's a good chance that your bitch could come into season anytime now. However, if she doesn't come in season by the time she's eighteen months old, you might want to have your vet check her out to make sure everything is alright.

There are many factors that play a role in when a bitch comes into season. Please take a look at our article on What Influences Heat Cycles. You may find it helpful.

Thanks for your question.

There's a good chance that your bitch could come into season anytime now. However, if she doesn't come in within the next three months, you might want to have your vet check her out to make sure everything is alright. There are many factors that play a role in when a bitch comes into season.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

What sort of age does a bitch have her first season. Mine is just over a year old but I have not noticed anything yet.

-- Contributed by: julie

Hi Hal,

I'm going to respond to your question at Ask the Dog Expert.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hey, i think my bitch is in season. Her vulva has swelled for the last week already but there still seems to be no bleeding. She had her first season at 9 months, no problems.

I took her to a vet in march of this year (2007) because she was sick. They said that there maybe something in her stomach when they phoned me about a day later, and asked if they could operate on her and i said yes obviously.

I took her home two days after. She had stitches in her stomach and they took a slice out of her arm.

Since then this has been her first season. I may be paronoid, but im not sure so this why im asking for some help. I need to know wether it is normal for my bitch's vulva to swell and see no blood? And if a bitch is spayed, does her vulva even swell or bleed for that matter?

For those who can help, pls contact me on my email: MrChinky@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks

-- Contributed by: Hai

There is no surer way to prevent an unwanted litter than to have your bitch spayed by a reputable veterinarian. I would recommend this procedure over giving birth control pills anyday.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello everyone, I have read with interest your articles on heat cycles and birth control. I have a Portuguese water dog aprox. 15 month old. Her first season was in December 2006 until now no she has not come into heat again. I am somewhat hesitant to have her spayed. Are there any injections available since I would not like to give her any birth control pills. I would very much like to hear your advice. If you have the time to reply I would be grateful. Kind regards Pedro

-- Contributed by: Pedro Rodriguez
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