[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Search the Q&A Archives

How long do female dogs in heat bleed for? When is it safe...

<< Back to general questions

Answer by Bazzie0421
Submitted on 7/11/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
First of all, twiger2u and jimmy,in my opinion, people who enjoy making fun of other people are IGNORANT. Who has given you the right to criticize individuals for their lack of spelling knowledge. You do not know if indeed English is their second language or if they have difficulty learning. Are you perfect? Do you spell every word correctly? Do you always make sense? I don't think so. So, it is best to keep these ignorant comments to yourself. Oh one more thing, you don't have to be the winner of the spelling bee to have an animal. Are you familiar with the emotion called love? Well, just in case you have never been around the emotion called "love", that is all it takes to have/own an animal. Got it? Almost forgot something else...people are on this forum to learn things and get educated and to learn how to take care of their animals, so if you don't have a good response, then don't waste your time...obviously you don't have anything better else to do...we on the contrary, are on this forum to learn and get opinions from others, we not here to criticize other individuals grammatical errors.

Answer by lablover
Submitted on 11/17/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i have two lab/chow pups, there 7months old, both female, there both bleeding alot and humping one another. where can you buy doggy diapers? i tired cutting up some underware and putting a pad on it but they chewed through the underware.they have gotten blood all on our floor and our bed? how do we get it out? also is there any feminine spray for dogs to help with the smell??i may not always be able to spell every word, but i love my dogs, and they have helped my children who have tbi's(traumatic brain injuries) so it shouldn't be about spelling, grammar and all, its all about love, caring for another. i consider them my children. and as far as the thing said about american'show dare you!!!!!! get a life sheesh

Answer by Redneck
Submitted on 12/17/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a redneck, straight from Central Texas! "First of all people who can't spell shouldn't own dogs. Second, if you could spell you would be able to find all the information you need on the internet....go back to school, and if your a redneck you shouldn't breed your dogs. There are enough mutts in this world to love as it is. Jimmy you are right on!" I'm not going to let this go. I have a Mutt! His name is Clyde, and he's a Ridgeback. (Hog Dog for those of you who aren't Rednecks). Oh, yeah, is my spelling ok?. Hey Twiger2u!!!! You genius!!!! "If your a redneck you shouldn't breed your dogs." Try this... If you're a redneck you shouldn't breed your dogs. That sounds a little better, don't you think? By the way, I can't breed my dog. He's a male, and he's been neutered. You and your buddy Jimmy are picking on people for their grammar and spelling, when all they're doing is trying to be responsible dog owners and trying to find information on the INTERNET. So, why don't you go back to your perfect little world where everybody is perfect, spelling and all, and let us who are rednecks, poor spellers, and possibly non-English speaking people find the information we need to be responsible pet owners. Now for my question. My wife's Yorkshire Terrier has been in heat for a week, and won't accept a male. Is this normal? And if it is, when will she accept a male? By the way, I ain't got no 5 dogs on my front porch, my grass ain't three feat tall, and I ain't got no 6 truks on bloks in my front yard hiden bye the grass!

Answer by Becky
Submitted on 3/28/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Please do not consider breeding any dog unless you are a serious breeder (not a puppy mill) interested in improving the breed and continuing excellent bloodlines. THERE ARE ENOUGH DOGS IN THE WORLD ALREADY. You won't make money by breeding your dog if you do it the right way (getting regular vet checks on your female pre- and post-breeding, puppy checkups and shots, dew claws, guarantees to new owners, etc.) If you plan on breeding the wrong way (i.e., not doing any of the things previously mentioned), don't do it at all. Your female does not need to have puppies in order to have a "complete" life. Your male will not miss his equipment, nor does he ever need to use it in his lifetime. Your kids do not need to see the birth of puppies to learn about the birds and the bees. I operate a beagle rescue network, and we see dozens of beagles every day that come from backyard breeders who don't have a single clue in the world. We have heard every reason in the world for unwanted puppies/dogs to be abandoned and discarded by owners who bought puppies from backyard breeders who had no clue how to select a proper home for a dog or explain puppy raising to the new owner. DON'T BREED YOUR DOGS!!! GET THEM ALL SPAYED OR NEUTERED, PLEASE!!!

Answer by gsdlover
Submitted on 4/11/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
When a dog is in heat, it is usually a three week cycle, going in, in, and going out. The second week is when the female will allow the male dog to breed with her. I have seen female's breed in the last week. I breed my females with the male, one day she's with the male, skip a day, then breed, and repeat the process for 5 days. I have had good litters of live 9 puppies. Many times if you keep a female and male together at all times, they have many puppies but many die when born or shortly after. Once the dogs are tied together. Can be up to 20 min. and you will know when they are bred "tied". I mark on my calendar 63 days from the date they were tied. 2-3 weeks before the pups are born, I prepare a whelping place. If your female is out and about she will go anywhere to have these pups. Under porches, under houses, in the woods. So be sure she is in a secure place and is monitored regularly. I have had pups born before the due date. Hope this helps! I raise imported German Shepherds since 1985.

Answer by kathygsd
Submitted on 4/11/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I wanted to add something in regards to the breeding and heat cycle of the female dog. When in doubt, contact a good vet for expert advice, all dogs, and all breeds vary with their cycles, habits etc., Make sure your dog gets plenty of fresh water, food, daily exercise, sanitary living conditions, clean pen daily, up-to-date on vaccinations, and most of all on a heart-worm preventative. If you do all these things then you are a responsible pet-owner to consider the right breeding for your dog. The internet is here, and you can do many searches and do plenty of research. Remember, raising puppies is A LOT of work! They have to be monitored daily, make sure the mother is feeding, make sure the whelping area is not too cold, if so do you have heat lamps? If too hot, do you have proper ventilation? Do you have a fan? Can it be places safely to keep your female cool? Have plenty of water and food on hands for mom. Have you considered doing your own vaccinations and de-worming? Its cheaper. At 8 weeks they need to be seen by a vet, checked for heart-murmurs, parasites, in males have both testicles dropped? Make sure you are selling this pup as if you were the buyer. I would consider all these things prior to a breeding. Make sure you have considered how you will advertise, and what you will do if you can't sell all of them. I have always advertised around 4 wks of age, stating in my ad: Taking deposits, so I had a heads-up. What about a broker in your area? I don't deal with these people, unless my last resort. Make sure your puppy is going to a home that will be well cared for and most of all loved.

Answer by Wolfie
Submitted on 6/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Breeding dogs: over ten million dogs are killed in the US every year because nobody wants them. You shouldn't breed unless you 1. know the breed VERY well, inside and out, 2. know what health problems to look for and exactly how to breed and raise pups and 3. have a breedable dog that is a near-perfect specimen of their breed by a JUDGE'S standard--not yours--and who is registered or great at whatever work you're breeding for. If you don't have these things, if you have to be asking these questions, you should NOT be breeding. That said: If you have a young female dog who is as yet unspayed, and she goes into heat, KEEP HER SAFE FROM MALES AT ALL TIMES. She should only actually bleed for maybe three days; dogs come into heat twice a year, or for some giant breeds and for wolfdogs, once a year. Once she's old enough--and this age differs by opinion from puppyhood to one year, but is usually at six months--once she's old enough, get her spayed! Otherwise you can end up paying hundred or even thousands of dollars trying to save her later on from things like prolapsed uterus or cancer. If your dog is in heat and accidentally gets mated, GO TO THE VET. They can give you medication to stop pregnancy. Lastly: if your dog is bleeding, and won't stop, call your vet. Always do this first if something goes wrong, healthwise, with your dog.

Answer by Harvard Law Girl
Submitted on 6/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
It is so sad that I click on this site to get information and I read people arguing. the usual and most obvious reason so many people hate Americans is all because of JEALOUSY, what other reason is there? Then why are people in the past and at this moment trying to sneak into our country??? Go figure. perhaps they want to live "The American Dream"? Give me a break. You people and countrys spend WAY too much time dwelling on the fact that we have the things they don't. Come on, why do you think they revolve there lives around planning on attacking us? Jealousy is a hateful God. I suggest Twig, go to church, I promise it will make you feel better.................I will pray for you. :(

Answer by Meow
Submitted on 8/14/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
alrighty this is pretty funny bc i have my first female dog in heat and bleeding and i have questions too but geezz some of this is just common sense! if your 9 month old dog ran away and came back bleeding (from her vagina! DUH!) she is just probably in heat and started bleeding that doesnt mean she got pregnant but its very possible! Its def normal for a 9 month old to start her cycle. It is alot cheaper to just buy a pair of child panties that fit your dog and slip them on with a panty liner with wings. And keep them in a kennel with out them on when away to keep them from chewing them up or getting blood every where. My question is however how long do they normally bleed. I know they are in heat for 3 weeks but should they bleed for the whole time?

Answer by Meow
Submitted on 8/14/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
FOUND GOOD INFO and wanted to share! The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this an an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more). Average times between heat periods is 7 months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog. The first part of heat you will notice bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the house. During this period (proestrus), females will not allow the males to breed with them although the males will be very persistent. The second part or estrus is the time in which the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time. As the female starts to go out of heat or enter diestrus, she will be less willing to breed. Again this stage can last 4-14 days but averages approximately 7 days. The next cycle usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that cycle but again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she becomes pregnant. If you do not intend to breed her, you really should consider spaying her. There are many health benefits associated with spaying such as decreased chance of mammary tumors and you will not have to worry about pyometra, metritis or unwanted litters (overpopulation is a big problem - just take a trip to a humane shelter and get yourself a lil pup without a home). If you elect to spay her, this can be done during heat but it may be best to wait until the heat cycle is over to decrease the chance of complications. Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every 4 to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every 6 months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also. The heat period can last from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners. Having puppies is great if you want the puppies or if you're trying to develop a special line of dogs. But there is no behavioral benefit in letting the female have a litter before spaying. The normal canine companion will benefit greatly from being spayed at an early age before she has her first heat cycle. Problems that can develop later in life, such as mammary cancer and uterine infections, are virtually eliminated if an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is performed before she experiences her first heat cycle. IT'S ALOT OF INFORMATION AND IT HELPED ME WITH MY QUESTIONS SO I HOPE IT HELPS ALL OF YOU!

Answer by The definitive answer:
Submitted on 8/29/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this an an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more). Average times between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year. This information came from a website dedicated to Pet Care Tips. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages. The first part of heat you will notice bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the house. During this period (proestrus), females will not allow the males to breed with them although the males will be very persistent. The second part or estrus is the time in which the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time. As the female starts to go out of heat or enter diestrus, she will be less willing to breed. Again this stage can last 4-14 days but averages approximately 7 days. The next cycle usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that cycle but again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she becomes pregnant. If you do not intend to breed her, you really should consider spaying her. There are many health benefits associated with spaying such as decreased chance of mammary tumors and you will not have to worry about pyometra, metritis or unwanted litters (overpopulation is a big problem - just take a trip to a humane shelter). If you elect to spay her, this can be done during heat but it may be best to wait until the heat cycle is over to decrease the chance of complications. Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every 4 � to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every 6 months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also. The heat period can last from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners. Having puppies is great if you want the puppies or if you're trying to develop a special line of dogs. But there is no behavioral benefit in letting the female have a litter before spaying. The normal canine companion will benefit greatly from being spayed at an early age before she has her first heat cycle. Problems that can develop later in life, such as mammary cancer and uterine infections, are virtually eliminated if an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is performed before she experiences her first heat cycle

Answer by Vet
Submitted on 10/19/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be "in heat" or "in season." Dogs generally have their first estrous cycle at 6-12 months of age. Some females of the large breeds, however, may not have their first estrus until they are 12-24 months of age. The complete cycle takes about 6 months, resulting in 2 estrous periods each year. Individual variation occurs, but a given female's pattern tends to be repeated regularly. The estrous cycle can be divided into 4 stages: 1. Proestrus: This stage begins with the appearance of vaginal bleeding. It normally lasts from 4 to 9 days. Male dogs become very interested in the female; however, she will not yet mate with them. 2. Estrus: This is the stage in which the female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Ordinarily, the stage lasts for 4 to 13 days. Your female will stand still and hold her tail to the side when you touch her back or a male dog tries to mount. 3. and 4. Metestrus and anestrus: These 2 stages are periods of ovarian activity, but with no significant outward signs. False pregnancies frequently occur during metestrus. Some Important Points * You should consider your pet to be "in season" for 21 days: 7 days coming into heat, 7 days in heat, 7 days going out. Though conception is most likely during the middle 7 days, Mother Nature doesn't always follow the rules. Confine your pet for the entire 3 weeks. * Remember that the above information is general. Not all females follow these patterns. Consult with the doctor if your pet does not seem typical. Sometimes, cycling problems can be an early warning of more serious problems, and the sooner they are dealt with, the better.

Answer by Dog Lover
Submitted on 12/12/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Ok. Here is what one really dumb person above wrote and here is my response. I know it was back in 2004, and this is the end of 2005, but I just couldn't resist. "First of all people who can't spell shouldn't own dogs. Second, if you could spell you would be able to find all the information you need on the internet....go back to school, and if your a redneck you shouldn't breed your dogs. There are enough mutts in this world to love as it is. Jimmy you are right on!" Here's my response: "internet" is correctly spelled "Internet". The author should have used the contraction "you're" meaning "you are" versus the possessive "your" meaning to own. I have a college education. I have an IQ of 159. I often make spelling errors, even though I have been published in Fortune magazine, as well as others. I earn in excess of $200k per year, and yes, I am married to a "Redneck". In fact, I have known hundreds of "rednecks" in my life and find them to be among the most attractive people I have ever had the pleasure to have known. I even moved from PA to SC because I love southerners. A Redneck is simply someone who works hard, outdoors and was raised in the country away from snobs, and ignorant, arrogant people who think they are better than everyone else. Nearly every "Redneck" I've ever known loved dogs, children, neighbors, and yes, they have even welcomed me, a Yankee Jew from Philadelphia. I am blessed to have them in my life, and all the richer for it. You should be ashamed of yourself, you don't deserve to have the love of a dog (or a Redneck). Oh and by the way, this system has a spell check, which you obviously didn't bother to use.

Answer by Mz The Point
Submitted on 12/28/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
do u people no any thing g u people r dumb & dont get started with me about being dumb cuz i have not started being dumb yet. My dog is smarter than most of u but i wont brag about that anymore so aren't u s'posd 2 b talking about dogs here? Let me get u started by saying : female dogs r on heat for 21 days, the first seven days they are sussing out a suitable partner, then they are definitely on heat for the next seven days, after that forget it cos they are forgettin it2. This happens twice a year if u want 2 no actual facts about this then go 2 another site but thank u 4 reading otherwise if u r amused with what i m saying then I WILL B BACK. PLS RATE ME. THANK U VERRY MUCH 4 READING THE IMPORTANT THINGS I HAD 2 SAY & I HOPE IT HELPS U WITH UR DOG

Answer by lee
Submitted on 2/3/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am here because my german shepherd is in heat and today she was going to be spayed, even though she is a pure breed dog, if I need one more dog I would go to the pound.I will call my vet today to get the right answer. As for the other discussion, english is my second language, took me awhile to learn it well and do make mistakes occasionaly. Ignorance is lack of knowledge not of wisdom, my father was ignorant could barely read but he could beat anyone on checkers and was a very loving person loved by everyone. I believe that the worth of a person has all to do with character, their qualities and ability to be a decent person. Remember that criticism never built a house , bridge or painted a picture. Kindness is the best quality you can cultivate. love to you, and be the best American you can be, you represent a great nation regardless of what anyone says.The government can make mistakes but it is the people that truly represent the spirit of a country.

Answer by jen
Submitted on 2/14/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
THE ANSWERS TO EVERYONES QUESTIONS The estrous (commonly called �heat�) cycles and spaying (removal of reproductive organs � the uterus and ovaries) in female dogs are topics of many questions and also some serious misconceptions. Let's take a moment and look at some of the most commonly asked questions about �heat� cycles and spaying. Breeding ethics and risks will not be addressed, here. This is just to cover some of the more frequently asked questions regarding a female dog's heat cycle and spaying. When will my dog come into heat? First heat can vary greatly dog to dog. The youngest is about six months of age though sometimes a female will come into season younger. First heat can start as late as 12 or even 14 months of age or later in rare cases. Again, it can vary dog to dog. Spaying at six months is recommended before a female begins to enter sexual maturity. Some vets will spay younger and spaying of puppies as young as eight weeks old who are up for adoption in shelters is becoming more popular. How often will my dog come into heat? Again, this varies dog-to-dog � average is every six months but it could be more or less often. How long does heat least? This again can vary. The average is three weeks (21 days). But it can be shorter (two weeks) or longer (four weeks). Assume the longer period if in doubt. When is a dog most fertile? Again, this varies dog to dog and is why some breeders attempt to progesterone test to help pinpoint fertility (though testing is not 100% reliable but can help). The fertile period can last about five days and may begin approximately nine to ten days after the onset of heat. However, onset of fertile period can vary after the start of the heat cycle. Some females will only accept a male during this fertile period though others females may allow a male to mount at any time during her cycle while others are not receptive at all. But remember, fertile periods can vary dog to dog. Can a dog get pregnant her first cycle? I was told not until she had two or three would she be fertile. A puppy can get pregnant her first cycle. Ideally she should not be bred until about 24 months when she is out of adolescence. Will my dog go through menopause? No. Females do not go through menopause though sometimes there may be a cessation in heat cycles for a period of time and then they can start back up again. As a female ages, her fertility does drop off but she will not go through menopause as humans do. It is also possible for senior dogs to become pregnant. Dropping off of fertility with age does not mean she cannot become pregnant. Why do people suggest spaying my dog even though I watch her when in heat so she does not get mated? There are a variety of reasons why spaying is recommended. The biggest is health. An unspayed female has a greater risk of developing some tumors such as mammary tumors. An unspayed female can developed pyometra (a serious uterine infection than can be fatal) as well as uterine cancer. Having litters is risky to the dog and can be very costly to properly plan and raise. Then there are behavioral issues: unspayed females are more likely to have hormonally related behavioral issues than spayed females (Puppy PMS). Spaying is not a cure for behavioral issues but is a step in working with them. Heat cycles can be very messy and spaying is cheaper than having carpets cleaned after the female gets out of the kitchen and spots all over the beige rug! Doesn't a female need to have a litter before being spayed? I was told it is healthier. Having a litter is not healthier than being spayed before a first heat. First, a dog should not be bred her first cycle � she is too immature mentally and often physically. Make the analogy of a teenager having a child at fifteen � is she ready? A dog should be bred at the earliest 18 months of age; however, hips cannot be certified (OFA � Orthopedic Foundation of America) if she is younger than 24 months and many recommend waiting until hips can be certified before breeding. You want her to be physically and mentally mature before breeding. Also, there are complications that can arise during pregnancy and delivery and even post-partum. These complications can be life threatening. A litter of puppies is stressing to her entire system. Spaying eliminates this. Having a litter is more dangerous than spaying in the long run. Plus, the longer a female goes unspayed, the greater chance of her developing other health problems. A female should be spayed before her first cycle ideally � though spaying at any age has more benefits than not spaying. My neighbor's dog died while being spayed. Isn't spaying a dangerous operation? There is risk in any surgery. Without knowing specifics, you will not know why the death occurred. Thousands of spays are performed daily around the country. In a rare few there may be complications leading to death. But again this is rare. Complications from not being spayed are more of a concern than the operation itself. Now this does not help ease the pain for those whose dogs die during a spay. However, there are many factors that can lead to death during surgery. Ask for preoperative bloods to be done to check for problems that could lead to complications. Ask what type of anesthesia is used and note that some breeds may need milder anesthetics. But the health risks of being intact far outweigh the small risks of surgery. Isn't spaying expensive? Let's break down a few things and see how much spaying costs as compared to the costs of other things that can happen in an intact female. A spay depending on the size of the dog and the clinic (and what types of testing is done prior to, what anesthesia is used, etc) can range from as low as $50 to $175. You can spend many times more than this to treat a pyometra or remove mammary tumors. Blood spots on a carpet can cost a couple hundred dollars to remove if you call in a carpet cleaning company. And of you cannot get the stains out, how much will replacing the carpet cost? A litter of puppies from birth to eight weeks can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars in food, supplies and inoculations combined. If there are medical complications, this expense can grow. These expenses do not even include pre and post natal care for the mother. Spaying is cheaper than not. From Karen Peak, of West Wind Dog Training. taken from the site: http://www.practical-pet-care.com/article_view.php?ver=63

Answer by bella c
Submitted on 2/16/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
My littly puppy has gone into heat but will not stop crying...approx how long will it last and is there a pain or relaxation medication to help her....by the way all those people putting down others who actually care about there animals are insecure idiots...dogs are wonderful and deserve to be loved regardless of the owners typing skills but I really hope that boosted your obviously low self esteem....and If you want to question my intelligence....I have a bs masters and phd in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech and a medical degree from Oxford University...you people should be ashamed to be rude to anyone who loves there animal because that is all anyone on this website should care about

Answer by amandap
Submitted on 2/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
It has been some time since people have posted here, and the topic went way off dogs in heat. I still feel compelled should someone be searching for answers. What no one managed to mention in all their infinite knowledge was that any female under two years is really too young too breed. And everyone should know it is like a child being pregnant. Please don't put your young lady through a "pre-teen or teenage" pregnancy! And also, vet care before, during, & after are also extremely important. There is serious responsibility in breeding pets. More research is needed than websites such as this...talk to your veterinarian! Buy a book at bookstore or go to the library. Research, research, research. Caring for a litter is harder than you might think.

Answer by sistas
Submitted on 2/24/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
hey, got this from tttv and thought you would like to know... :+0 The estrous cycle can be divided into 4 stages: 1. Proestrus: This stage begins with the appearance of vaginal bleeding. It normally lasts from 4 to 9 days. Male dogs become very interested in the female; however, she will not yet mate with them. 2. Estrus: This is the stage in which the female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Ordinarily, the stage lasts for 4 to 13 days. Your female will stand still and hold her tail to the side when you touch her back or a male dog tries to mount. 3. and 4. Metestrus and anestrus: These 2 stages are periods of ovarian activity, but with no significant outward signs. False pregnancies frequently occur during metestrus. Some Important Points * You should consider your pet to be "in season" for 21 days: 7 days coming into heat, 7 days in heat, 7 days going out. Though conception is most likely during the middle 7 days, Mother Nature doesn't always follow the rules. Confine your pet for the entire 3 weeks

Answer by Blessyngs
Submitted on 3/31/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
WOW! So many questions, and so hard to believe so many owners of female dogs know so little! This is scary! I refuse to pick on grammar issues, as I am not perfect. On to the dogs. A female typically goes into her first heat anywhere from 8 - 12 months, with 8 months being a more common occurrence. A female bleeds usually only the first week of her heat. (please remember all dogs are different.) During the first week of her heat cycle, she will NOT stand for a male. By that I mean she wants nothing to do with the actual mating process. The second week of her cycle is when she will stand and allow a male to mount her and mate. Once again, not all dogs fit the common standards to a T! Some dogs have little to no bleeding, others have more. The gestation period for a pregnant female is 60 days. If you see your female actually mating, and you KNOW she is in heat, please look at your calendars! Barring no unusual circumstances, she is most likely pregnant. Expect the puppies in approximately 60 days. Females will mate more than once during this one particular week. You can simply add 2 months to the week you SAW her actively mating. Expect the puppies 2 months from that week. I say this because it is possible that her first mating does not produce a pregnancy. Once again, she will mate for approximately one week. As I mentioned, occasionally females will have little or no bleeding. This occurs more often in younger puppies. PLEASE do not even consider breeding your female if she is under a year old. Give her time to grow and develop. I cannot stress this enough! I strongly recommend 2 years as a perfect age to start breeding your female. Female dogs go into heat (after the first heat,) every 6 - 7 months, approximately 2 times a year. Those of you concerned with the bleeding issue, visit your pet store for the proper items for her to wear while in heat. There are little pants (they resemble diapers) and Velcro on the sides typically. There are sanitary napkins that fit inside the little diaper. In response to the question asking how do you mate dogs...Please BE a RESPONSIBLE breeder! The dogs will do the work, just make sure the male and female are together the second week of her heat. I implore you all to remember that while puppies are precious and loads of fun, they will need homes! Do not breed just for the sake of breeding! I currently have a 7 and a 1/2 month old female Puggle who has begun to hump my male Puggle. She has no bleeding, and no swelling of the vulva at this time. Females humping males CAN be a sign of an oncoming heat. It can also be a sign of dominance. She is certainly approaching the age for her first heat. My male is almost 4 months, and too young to breed. Sadie is also far to young to have puppies! She is still a puppy herself! As several others wrote, you all have a wealth of information at your fingertips! I suggest you call your vet with questions, and read all you can on the WWW. Google is a great search engine, and it brought me to this page. Simply type in www.google.com and research all you can! Type in things like: Is my dog in heat? How do I know if my dog is in heat? What are the signs of a dog in heat? etc...I sure hope this helps! I also hope and pray these dogs are all up to date on their shots! I am concerned that some of you have never asked your vet these questions, and I just pray you have a vet! In closing...be careful mating your dogs! Try and stay within the breed. Remember, a female in heat should be kept under lock and key, for those of you with backyard dogs! Also bear in mind, breeding is a huge responsibility! If you have a tiny female and a large male, chances are good your female will need a cesarean section to deliver the puppies. Are you prepared to pay for this? Do you want to risk the life of your dog and her puppies just for the sake of breeding like it is some 'cool' thing to do? A female in labor should produce a puppy within the first 4 hours of her labor. If she does not, call your vet IMMEDIATELY! Please, educate yourselves to ALL the aspects of breeding dogs before you undertake the task, as it is a big job! And an expensive one! Good Luck!

Answer by Alfie
Submitted on 4/21/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
My question is: My dog had puppies on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). Does anyone know how long (on average) it takes a dog to go into heat after a pregnancy? Her twin sister is in heat now, but she never got pregnant in early September. BTW - I found a lot of info on google about general info about dog pregnancy if you search right.. just put in the term "dog pregnancy" and there's LOTS of info - just can't seem to find what I'm looking for. To the person who said their female humps thing: A friend of mine has a fixed rat terrier and that dog humps everything! I would say it's normal. Some dogs just act wierd sometimes. Mine clean out eachother'sears. You'd think there was a steak in their brain or something. Anywho - thanks for reading. Alfie

Answer by ChihuahuaLuvr82
Submitted on 4/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
OK this is stupid! Leave everyone alone on spelling, Now everyone has been asking "How is the best way to bred", Well either take them to the Vet and let the Vet do it, Or just put them together and let them, Let them knot or tie once maybe twice the first day, Separate them for one day, Bred again..Then she should be with puppies. Most breeders will breed 3 times in a week. Every other day. And people please....If your female is in heat DON'T tie her out, If you want to bred her to male of her own breed. If you tie her out she will breed with any male that comes around!! Finally this forum is for dog breeding and heat cycles. Not a spelling class, Just stop it, If you can't post a helpful response don't post anything!

Answer by mamakahu
Submitted on 5/12/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Whoa, team! Back to the point. About those pants for your dog while she is in heat . . . they're called Fancy Pants and you could probably make them yourself. They look like a bikini bottom with a hole cut out for the tail. The store-bought version has a plastic liner to put a small pad in (use a regular panty liner), but you could just make a lining out of a thicker material, like sweatshirt fleece, and stick the pad on it. The front and back tie at the sides with strings. Remember that your dog will wear these for several days, so make them out of soft fabric. If you make 4 or 5 you can change them daily and keep her clean. ANYWAY, take a look at them in the pet store - they don't call them Fancy Pants for nothing!

Answer by Nicole
Submitted on 5/16/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Are you kidding me? Cirquenacious- you are very right. Had you not pointed that out I would have myself. I'm sorry but in my opinion, anyone who cannot use the word "pregnancy" in the correct way and spells the word bred, "bread", not only needs to pick up a dictionary every once in while, but they have ABSOLUTELY NO business breeding dogs. As for my question. My 10 month old Boxer just went out of heat, however, her nipples are still very swollen. Is this normal? I did not witness any mating of any kind but I do have a Male Boxer as well (her brother) that did not seem to have any interest in her at all during this time. (We also kept them separate while we were away.) Is it possible she could be pregnant?

Answer by daku
Submitted on 7/11/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this an an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more). Average times between heat periods are seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages. The first part of heat you will notice bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the house. During this period (proestrus), females will not allow the males to breed with them although the males will be very persistent. The second part or estrus is the time in which the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time. As the female starts to go out of heat or enter diestrus, she will be less willing to breed. Again this stage can last 4-14 days but averages approximately 7 days. The next cycle usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that cycle but again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she becomes pregnant. If you do not intend to breed her, you really should consider spaying her. There are many health benefits associated with spaying such as decreased chance of mammary tumors and you will not have to worry about pyometra, metritis or unwanted litters (overpopulation is a big problem - just take a trip to a humane shelter). If you elect to spay her, this can be done during heat but it may be best to wait until the heat cycle is over to decrease the chance of complications. Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every 4 � to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every 6 months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also. The heat period can last from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners.

Answer by SznWzn78@aol.com
Submitted on 8/21/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
1. What is heat? Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs may get pregnant. It�s equivalent to human menstruation. 2. What are the symptoms? Females bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don�t expect bleeding comparable to a human female. For small dogs, it�s usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Other than the bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be male dogs hanging around your house. 3. When does a dog come into heat? The average female dog has her first cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months. If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If she�s 14-months old and still hasn't�t been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian. 4. How long does the heat cycle last? The average is three weeks or 21-days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks. 5. How often will she be in heat? Most female dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It�s quite typical to be in heat twice a year. 6. When can she get pregnant? She can get pregnant only when in heat. Some breeders test for progesterone levels to identify the most fertile days but the rule-of-thumb is that the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle. Note � when she�s in heat, the average dog will permit any male dog to mount her. Few females, however, will accept a male when they�re not in heat. 7. Can she get pregnant her first cycle? Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you need to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not show up until a dog is approximately 2-years of age. 8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle? Yes with care. She has no problem with the exercise but she�s a walking magnet for male dogs. Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones. You can�t trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby. For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it�s a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for the walk there and drive back home. Otherwise, the scent of her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail to your home. 9. When I can have her spayed? The answer to that one has changed continually over the 25-years I�ve been in the dog business. People used to be told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter. Today, veterinarians are doing it much earlier. Some vets spay as early as 6-weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog and the vet�s preferences. The state of veterinary medicine also is much improved over the past 25-years. 10. If I don�t have her spayed, will she go through menopause. No. Her fertility may decline but she will not go through menopause comparable to a human�s. She won�t lose her ability to become pregnant even as a senior so if you don�t want to her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed. Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and the creator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com, your online resource for Toy breed dogs. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Louis

Answer by Mypreciousmaltese@hotmail.com
Submitted on 9/14/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Tip 57 - Dog in heat - signs your dog is in heat - the Estrous cycle Once a female dog reaches puberty it begins its regular cycles of Estrus or heat which allow the dog to release eggs and reproduce. Most females have 2 cycles per year. Signs that your dog is in heat include include vaginal discharge which is clear, bleeding and swelling of the vulva. There is increased restlessness and there may be increased urination. You also may notice stray dogs hanging around your house, though the female will not accept mating at this point. This early period of heat called Proestrus, lasts between 4 -15 days depending on the size and breed of the dog along with other factors. The next stage in the estrous cycle is the actual Estrus/heat where the dog will accept a mate and can get pregnant. Unless you are a professional dog breeder you should spay the dog before before her first heat. Some vets will spay a dog during its first heat. This Estrus lasts between 4 - 8 days and signs include the discharge stopping, ovulation (the eggs are released) and pregnancy is possible. If the dog becomes pregnant the gestation time is 58-63 days. There are no visible signs until the last 3 weeks of pregnancy when the teats will enlarge, the belly will swell and finally the birth will occur. The 3rd stage of the cycle is called Diestrus and lasts 6 - 10 weeks. Many hormonal changes take place and the uterine walls thicken. Dogs that haven't become pregnant go through 'false pregnancy' where their mammary glands may enlarge and produce milk. They may mother toys, moan or whine, prefer extra attention or extra solitude and will show no interest in mating. The last stage in the cycle is Anestrus and will last for 15 weeks. There won't be any hormonal activity, milk production, or interest in mating. If the dog had become pregnant the birth would have already occurred and the mother will be lactating and engaging in typical mothering behaviour until she is ready to wean her puppies.

Answer by athena
Submitted on 9/18/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Haha, you guys are funny and for the record not all of us in the world hate Americans although I sometimes find them a little ironic. Personally, I agree that ignorant people should not own dogs...especially when there is a spell check on this particular website. Love and stupidity are not qualities of a good owner. As for the bleeding...I find that "depends" work better than the store bought "doggie diapers". Also, there is no way to stop the bleeding and my rotti is usually in heat for about 3 weeks - twice a year. Hope that helps. As a finale thought, I would urge as many of you to really think about why you want to breed your dogs. If you breed your dog properly it is not an effective way to make money which is the most commonly used reason for breeding. Second, there are a lot of really great dogs out there looking for a home.

Answer by raven
Submitted on 9/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi to all the dog lovers and owners in the forum. This is an informative but very unstructured forum. There were alot of spelling and grammatical errors that took away from the meaning of the messages that were posted. Jimmy and twiger2u were right about that. They weren't making fun of the people, per se. But it is difficult to take a poster serious when they can't spell 4th grade vocabulary words correctly. I'm not saying I'm perfect by no means. But I almost stopped reading the responses because I didn't know which ones were the serious ones and which ones were made up. But I did gain some insight on how long a dog stays in heat. I want to thank everyone for that.

Answer by snookie121280
Submitted on 9/27/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this an an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more). Average times between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages. The first part of heat you will notice bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the house. During this period (proestrus), females will not allow the males to breed with them although the males will be very persistent. The second part or estrus is the time in which the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time. As the female starts to go out of heat or enter diestrus, she will be less willing to breed. Again this stage can last 4-14 days but averages approximately 7 days. The next cycle usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that cycle but again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she becomes pregnant. If you do not intend to breed her, you really should consider spaying her. There are many health benefits associated with spaying such as decreased chance of mammary tumors and you will not have to worry about pyometra, metritis or unwanted litters (overpopulation is a big problem - just take a trip to a humane shelter). If you elect to spay her, this can be done during heat but it may be best to wait until the heat cycle is over to decrease the chance of complications. Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every 4 � to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every 6 months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also. The heat period can last from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners. Having puppies is great if you want the puppies or if you're trying to develop a special line of dogs. But there is no behavioral benefit in letting the female have a litter before spaying. The normal canine companion will benefit greatly from being spayed at an early age before she has her first heat cycle. Problems that can develop later in life, such as mammary cancer and uterine infections, are virtually eliminated if an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is performed before she experiences her first heat cycle.

Answer by jenn
Submitted on 11/13/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Ok. First, if you're going to criticize others for their spelling mistakes you should know that when you wrote "if your a redneck you shouldn't breed your dogs" you spelled you're wrong. You're = you are your= possessive pronoun. Don't make fun of people. Second, my dog has been in heat twice. I find the best thing to do for her is take large baby diapers (cheap ones work, my dog hardly bleeds much) and cut a large hole in the top for her tail to go through. She wears these when she is walking around the house. She hardly seems to notice that she's wearing them and seems just as happy as normal. We're going to get her fixed but until then, this works. And yes, she has gone into heat twice a year, about every six months. I believe that is pretty typical.

Answer by piju
Submitted on 11/26/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every 4 � to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every 6 months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also. The heat period can last from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners. I hope this helps. Regards.

Answer by blissfuldelusion
Submitted on 12/3/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
They cycle of going into heat is called the estrous cycle. Female dogs usually start this around six months of age, but some are late developers and may not have a cycle until up to fourteen months of age. Typically a dog goes into "heat" twice a year, once every six to eight months. There are four stages: Proestrus, Estrus, Diestrus, and Anestrus. Proestrus lasts approximately nine days. You may notice vaginal swelling and bleeding. The male is interested in the female, but the female will not allow mounting at this point. Estrus also lasts approximately nine days (but may last up to around twenty). It is during this stage the dog is ready to mate. Discharge should gradually become clearer and swelling should lessen as well. Diestrus lasts approximately sixty days. You should see very little discharge or swelling, if any. Anestrus is around one hundred thirty days. This is simply a period of sexual inactivity where endometrial repair occurs in preparation for the next cycle. You shouldn't really be seeing any swelling during this time and discharge should be very scant if there is any. I'll add here that for a week or so prior to my Australian Shepherd going into proestrus, she humps my other female dog. The humping, licking, etc described is completely normal with the influx of hormones that are preparing her body for ovulation. Also, there were some questions on pregnancy. I'll address those to the best of my ability. The canine gestation period lasts for around 54-74 weeks. Signs of dog pregnancy include "nesting" behavior, where your dog appears to be creating a safe place for herself within your home...granted this can also be seen in false pregnancy. Pregnant dogs will show an increase in appetite. In truth, you really won't see much that would tell you for sure the dog is pregnant until she was already far enough along to show. You don't want to wait this long =) So, if you think your dog is pregnant schedule a vet appointment around twenty days after the expected time of conception. Urine tests can be done between twenty to thirty days after conception, but become more difficult to detect after thirty days. Ultrasound may detect a dog pregnancy, and fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as 25 days into the canine gestation period. A blood test to detect the hormone relaxin can also confirm a canine pregnancy. Around 45 days fetal skeletons have developed and you will be able to get some idea of how many pups you can expect. To those of you who voiced an interest in breeding your animals... There are so many animals that are euthanized every year simply because no one wants them. For every breed recognized there are a multitude of breeders that are very knowledgeable about breeding. Leave it to them. There is no need to add to the population. Some vets will spay as early as six weeks, while I would personally recommend waiting until around five months. This way everything has a chance to develop naturally, but she is spayed before six months when most dogs begin estrus. While it was once a popular opinion, it is rarely advised to wait for a full cycle before spaying any more. I'm not a veterinarian, nor do I have any medical expertise. I just did a little research, and this is the information I cam up with and to the best of my knowledge is accurate. I hope it helps. =)

Answer by staffylover4life
Submitted on 12/28/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i have a 18month year old staffy and she is on heat and she is an inside dog and she sits down and as usuall blood comes out but she gets up and sniffs it then licks it up is it usuall or is she justa clean freak? p.s and to jimmy and twiger2u you should have a little respect who cares if there second language is english who cares if there retarded and who cares if there 13 the fact is u should respect them no matter what have they done anything to you? you are both ignoble (which means a low character and behaviour)congratulations bazzie and smirking at fools its very true it past your bed time so go to bed you might be older but your personality is of a 5 year old oh and by the way im 12 so if your dissing 13 year olds you must be dissing me but instead im dissing YOU!!!!

Answer by staffylover101
Submitted on 12/29/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i have a 18 month old staffy and she is on heat she is an inside dog and when she sits down blood comes out as usuall but then she gets up and smells it then licks it is it normal or is she a clean freak (will it harm her?) p.s and to you jimmy and twiger2u who cares if there thirteen or retarded or if english is there second language no matter what you should respect them you are both ignobles (which means a low character and behaviour) congratulations to bazzie and smirking at fools you are so so right excpecially where you said its past your bed time that is sooo true you might be older but your personality is of a 5 year old so it way past your bed time night night p.s.s if you are dissing a thirteen year old year old you must be dissing me because im 11 but im sorry to say i got there first im dissing you both for your ignoble behaviour p.s.s.s NO ONE is perfect including YOU

Answer by patti
Submitted on 1/1/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have a nine month old DACHSUND. One of the neighbors let their dog run loose, and he got into our yard with our little baby- the next day I noticed her labia (if that's what you call it with dogs) is swollen and she is spotting. Her nipples also seem swollen. Do you think that she went into heat coincidentally (she was definitely NOT like that the day before) or could the other dog have hurt her by having intercourse with her? And, if so, do I need to worry about pregnancy even though she never showed any signs of heat before? Thank you for your serious answers. I am very concerned for her as she is only 8 pounds and the neighbor's dog is a jack russell terrier, and his rather stout...

Answer by dog lover
Submitted on 1/27/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
1.EVERYONE should spay and nueter their pets. There are more animals than homes as it is !!! 2.If you cant afford to spay and nueter your animals - you shouldnt have them !!! There are HUNDREDS of reasons to have it done other that just making it so they cant have puppies, especially with female dogs .. there are so many health problems that can develop if you dont spay your female dog. With that said , there are sometimes circumstances where you cant have your dog fixed before she goes into heat. I adopted a shelter dog and we found out she has seizures (shes only had 2) but they dont want to spay her until they figure out what is causing it. She just came into heat for the first time.I bought one of those fabric diapers that you just put a pad in and change it and it works perfect! You have to really keep your eye on a female dog in heat because even if your dog NEVER tries to run away , it may try to. Dogs have cramping etc just like people and it is not a fun or good time for them when they are in heat - its just uncomftorable. It kills me that I look at my puppy and ache inside because I feel so bad she has to go through this and so many of you idiots are too irresponsible to get your damn dog fixed when you can !!! Please check out freinds of animal's website. You can order a certificate to get your dog spayed or nuetered(cats too) for half of what it normally costs! FYI - to the person who asked about "humping" - sometimes it can be a dominance thing moreso than a sexual thing. Just because a female dog is humping people or other dogs,it doesnt nesscarily mean she is in heat. If your dog is bleeding, ALWAYS contact your vet right away - it is not safe to just "assume" that it is in heat, especially if it has never been in heat before. When irresponsible dog owners dont spay their dogs, blood can build up in the uterus and when she starts to "spot" it could be a warning to get her to the vet ASAP before she DIES of serious medical condition.

Answer by great dane mom
Submitted on 2/17/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Dogs are generalliy in pre-estrus for 12 to 14 days. this is when they bleed. the blood is usually a bright red or pink. after about the 14th day (this vary's slightly with every dog) the discharge blood will turn a straw colour. this is when the female in heat will start accepting male dogs. she will lift her tail and push her butt into the males nose. the male will generally lick the female and this is his way of tasting for chemicals emitted in the discharge that tell him she is ready. the male will mount the female and you may have to guide him to help find the opening especially if he or the female are virgin dogs. the male will thrust and expel semen wheather he is in the female or not. if he is properly inserted into the female then after he is done thrusting he will stop but will be unable to disengage himself from the female at this time you should gently lift one of his back legs over the females back so that the dogs are teid butt to butt. have one person hold the female's collar and one person hold the male's DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SEPERATE THEM as you can cause damage to your male's organ. tie's usually last for about 20 to 30 minutes. when the dogs do seperate the male will be quite swollen he will usually lick himself and the swelling will subside. if he attempts to breed to the female again allow him to and just repeat as above most males need 12 to 24 hours before their sperm rejuvanates itself. You should never leave you dogs unattended to breed you should always supervise as the female can be viscious especially if she is a virgin dog. you should also allow your female dog to have one heat without being bred. dogs should not be bred under 12 months of age and 24 months for large breeds. you wouldn't want your 15 or 16 yr old daughter to have a baby. why do you want your puppy to becaome a mommy when she is still a puppy herself. you have lots of time when she is older and more mature. young dogs having litters while they can physically usually lack the mental ablity to parent and may result in eating thier young or abandoning them so wait till she grows up. if anyone has any more questions about breeding please don't hesitate to email me at Broken_crossT@yahoo.com. and no not every word is spelled correct but i have been breeding dogs for a long time. and have never had a puppy or breeding go wrong because of incorrect grammer.

Answer by darkwater256
Submitted on 3/22/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
HEAT: What it is and what it means for your female What does being in heat mean for your dog? Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be "in heat" or "in season." Dogs generally have their first estrous cycle at 6-12 months of age. The complete cycle takes about 6 months, resulting in 2 estrous periods each year. Individual variation occurs, but a given female's pattern tends to be repeated regularly. The estrous cycle can be divided into 4 stages: Proestrus: This stage begins with the appearance of vaginal bleeding and normally lasts from 4 to 9 days. Male dogs become obsessively interested in the female; however, she will not yet mate with them. Estrus: This is the stage in which the female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Ordinarily, the stage lasts for 4 to 13 days. The female will stand still and hold her tail to the side when you touch her back or when a male dog tries to mount. Metestrus and anestrus: These 2 stages are periods of ovarian activity with no significant outward signs. False pregnancies frequently occur during metestrus. Some important points to remember: Consider your female to be "in season" for 21 days: 7 days coming into heat, 7 days in heat, 7 days going out. Though conception is most likely during the middle 7 days, Mother Nature doesn't always follow the rules. Confine your pet for the entire 3 weeks. The above information is general. Not all female dogs follow these patterns. Consult with your veterinarian if your pet does not seem typical. Sometimes, cycling problems can be an early warning of more serious problems, and the sooner they are dealt with, the better. i got this information off of the internet for my dog. but thought i would share it for everyone. here is the site i got it from. http://www.dachworld.com/heatwhatitis.htm hope it helps you.

Answer by ciejai
Submitted on 3/26/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have a 3lb. and i guess ima be ignorant for a min, but i do not know how to spell it, but i have a Chihuahua that weighs 3lbs. I have had her for 5 years, but never thought about or tried to notice her goin, bein, or getting out of heat, until this time, i noticed she was swollen and bleeding a small small bit, well i have had her with a male for the last 3 days and unless it has happened while i was at work, I haven't seen them "lock" sos to speak, but they play together and act as if they are best friends and he licks behind her and nudges her and everything...so I don't know what to do or think about it. Another question i have is ...if they lock more than one time, will it result in MORE pups???? Please help me out and thanks

Answer by Hillbilly
Submitted on 4/8/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
why dwell on a mishap?! to my it all sounds stupid and immature to humiliate one just to up one. I know I'm late & I'm sorry, but I just found this place. we have a beagle that bleeding and the neighbor's dog has already bred her once, and my dad doesn't want her bred, so I don't get it why don't they just spay her?! one more thing I feel bad for people who see this site, then end up getting miss led, because of immature, ignorant people who don't realize people come here for help, and information not some kind of gosse up, trash talk. that person put their question on this site the get an answer not to get bashed! why, I don't understand, why not comment on someone using brung in the wrong context? why, because it's SILLY!!! P.S. I'm 14 and adults are acting like 6 year olds, it's disappointing!!!!!!!

Answer by my real name a;ep9'dfg[[tr[gophi9jnoofkokgbojhikgjlhktohogfhkkhljmnhkjtgo
Submitted on 4/24/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
x,olkifo9kytofkotkorfkodsklepwoldpzxpldperpdkzxlkdiejckgslofpfvl;bllfololgkhlkgkkglkgokdfgktkjfogjodkpkfl,c.xclkgpfigogkjjlgkofefgolpgfogogoifpr[==-e[pfppog/t98g+9+gt+99t+9rfg9+f666+r++fr+9696s9;hdprdtrttrtrthoou2f01f41y40j1258y2i2k1124554f54h14447y4r45t54522011441s4fe4w45re4dc74er4rgt472t5f54fgv74et/788o2014022qds4red898t5488545t5555rf5r5r5rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, mya gordon

Answer by Boxer Mommie
Submitted on 5/31/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
According to all I know from breeding Rotties and Boxers for going on 15 years. When they are bleeding they will not accept another dog, it is when the bleeding stops for 4-8 days is when they will accept other dogs, the bleeding should already have stopped the the bleeding after mating is not normal and you should have that checked by a vet. My youngest female is in heat right now. We are diligently keeping our male away from her and will continue to do so for the next four to six weeks to ensure there is no mating. She has been "humping" him the past two days and having a lot of "in the house accidents" due to the increased urination. If you do not know about how to breed or what to expect my only recommendation is to NOT breed your dogs until you know the facts and expenses of breeding. A responsible breeder will not just breed and sale. There is a lot of time and effort and risk in breeding your dog. Even if a female pregnant your vet should be able to spay her if you are not willing to put the time and money into the puppies to ensure they are healthy pups.

Answer by Mom
Submitted on 7/2/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
For goodness sake. Even on the dog forum people are sniping at each other. A dog is a dog is a dog is a dog. Call your local humane society or better yet contact a local vet most of them will be happy to offer assistance. There are also numerous "free spaying clinics" all over the US. Go to petsmart.com and you can find them. Please people, I love my animals. My male toy fox terrier is neutered. My female boston will be after she finishes her heat cycle. Go buy some preemie or small infant diapers and put them on her. They keep your house clean and other animals from breeding with your female. Throw the diaper away and keep it changed to prevent odor and infection(s). Animal care is not limited to intelligent or uneducated people. Neither is animal abuse. So let's take care of our animals and leave the bickering to Myspace, Youtube or some other enlightened area of the internet. Good luck everyone.