My sheltie Isla is nearly 8 months old.  I won't have her neutered as I may want to breed from her in a couple of years (just one litter that is all).

Today on our snowy walks (well in Isla's case mad sprints) I noticed two or three males (the canine variety LOL) seemed very interested in her, one with his nose right up her backside (men!).  I have never noticed this before. Do you think she could possibly be about to have her first season?  I am a complete novice here as all the females I have had in the past (all rescues) have been neutered.  I still think of her as a pup and hadn't thought about her having a season for a while yet ......  Any other signs I should look out for?

Snowflake

swelling of the vulva, frequent urination (advertising), and once she does come in blood stained discharge.

It is worth from now on dabbing a white tissue firmly across her vulva, and count 21 days from first blood for an average season, but take care for about a further week where male dogs are concerned.

Please be very careful and mindful of your safety if you take her out hun, some dogs just won't take no for an answer! I usually don't walk mine anywhere when they're in season, but we have a big garden! Don't let her off the lead either, it is too easy for a male to chase her and she may run away if scared! Take care, Dawn

My eldest Sheltie was a year when she had her first season, she became very clingy and would not leave mummy's side, when we first noticed her change in behaviour we stopped walking her loose, but I reckon if any male had tried to go near her she'd have savaged him.

My other Shelties aged 9 and 10 months are a completely different kettle of fish, Isla the youngest is already starting to spot wee all over the place and I noticed last weekend she was very flirty with male dogs that we passed. Thats her free walking over for a while now!
The 10 month old is showing no signs as yet, another thing I have noticed is that Isla is getting 'humped' a lot by Bonnie and Skye and they are very interested in her knicker area.

I won't be spaying either of the young ones, just keeping them house, garden and lead bound for the duration of the seasons.

If I were you I would err on the side of caution and keep her on a lead when out walking and ensure you garden is man proof!

Thanks all - I shall be very careful.  I have done the tissue test thingy which is nil at the mo.  She is so exuberant and full of beans that she needs lots of exercise each day so I presume that as long as I "test" each day  and she has not come into season she can run off lead??

Snowflake

Yep pretty much.