1st Period

[Boogger]

My year old dog just got her first period today. I've never had a dog before, so I really need help. I have a 2 year old male dog and I would like for them to mate. I would like to know how long I should wait till she is ready to have puppies. How long will she be pregnant for? How long does her period last? how often does it come? What should I expect from her (behavior)? Please Help

[eXile]

Please dont breed. Seperate them. And get them both spayed and neutered. I cant help you with the heat. Sorry...

[Dax]

HI, this is not something you should enter into lightly. I strongly suggest you read the following to familarize yourself with the whole process.

Canine Reproduction: http://www.labbies.com/canine_reprod...ble_of_con.htm[INDENT
The Canine Cycle http://www.gocco.co.za/heat_cycle.htm

Canine Pregnancy http://www.gocco.co.za/canine%20pregnancy.htm

As your dog is young (First heat) you should not breed this time for sure. It is recommended that your dog be as least 1 1/2 to 2 years of age for her first litter.

The above are very informative sites which I'm sure will help you make informed choices for your and your dog(s).

BTW welcome to the forum

[eXile]

Hey Dax, i was looking for the heat cycle thread by Ellie but couldnt find it in the sticky. Where is it? (for future references)

[Dax]

It's under the Forum BREEDING...

[GretaJack]

Please don't breed her this heat, she is too young. Take the time between this heat and next to learn all that you possibly can so that you can make a responsible decision on breeding your dogs. Not every dog is breedable (health quality and comformation). Please make sure that you have a dog that is breedable, high quality, and you are breeding to better the breed, not just breeding to breed, or because puppies are cute, or because some people think that every female should have a least one litter.

There are some very knowledgable breeders here that can help you make that decision. Please take their advice to heart. And just as a warning, people don't take breeding too lightly around here. You are going to find plently that are going to question your intentions. Myself included. I just try to keep an open mind on every situation.

[eXile]

opps, was looking under health

[Boogger]

Thank You for the feed back. I wasn't planning on breeding her until she is 2. But I am still wondering how I can care for her now that she is in her cycle. Is there any behavior problems that I should watch out for. And how long will it last. Is she only going to be in heat from now until her cycle is over and then again when she begins another cycle?

[Dax]

Every dog is unique in her cycle.. Here's some basic information

The canine heat cycle is divided into several stages based on the dog's behavior and physical signs:

PROESTRUS (pre-heat) = the period of time when a female dog attracts males but is not receptive to breeding. Females usually have a blood tinged vaginal discharge and a swollen firm vulva. Average = 9 days (range = 0 to 17 days)

ESTRUS (heat) = when the female dog will accept the male and stand for breeding. The vaginal discharge usually becomes clear (some dogs will continue to have a bloody discharge throughout) and the vulva less swollen. The bitch will "flag" or hold her tail off to the side when the male approaches. Average = 9 days (range = 3 to 21 days)

DIESTRUS = starts when the female will no longer allow breeding and ends when the ovaries stop producing the hormone progesterone. This period lasts about 65 days in the pregnant dog ending when the puppies are delivered, or 75 to 95 days in the non-pregnant dog. Progesterone may cause many false signs of pregnancy like nesting behavior and milk production even if the dog is not pregnant. "False pregnancy" resolves on its own when progesterone levels decline.

ANESTRUS = period between heat cycles when the uterus becomes smaller and inactive. This is the best time to spay a dog.

[Dax]

Babyelephant's lab just finished. You can find her post in the BREEDING Forum.