Kind of disgusting question...

[MyMaddie]

When do girl dogs go in heat for the first time? My dog is swollen but there is nothing there. She is 8 months old.

[GermanShepherds]

6-12 months

it will be swollen at first, the Heat last a few weeks. The blood will eventually come. Till then keep her locked up somewhere safe were no males can reach her...they can go through brick My advice would be to spay her.

[PitLady80]

shep is correct...my pit bull lola got in heat for the first time when she was 8 months..your girl is fine

[MyMaddie]

*******************Thanks!************************

[Bolo]

6-12 months is a very normal age to start a first heat. Although it can come much later. With some dogs as late as 18 months is still normal. Although they are usually larger breeds.

The first thing noticeable is being swollen, sometimes nipples will enlarge somewhat. My dogs bleed about 10 days or more. When most of the bleeding has stopped is when they are likely to "stand" for a male. That is the time to be most careful. But don't take any chances during the whole heat, which is about 3 weeks or more.
An easy way to think about it is...(just approx of course) a week coming in, a week in, a week going out.

And this whole process will happen every 6 -8 months.