Hi all ,
i am getting my first ever bitch in 4 weeks time , only ever had boys before , any one tell me more about seasons?
When they start and how long they last etc.Frequency~just the basics as i will read up
Cheers all ,
Zoe x

A really good book to get is The Book of the Bitch - you can get it from most book shops or Amazon have it. It will tell you everything you need to know about owning a bitch.

Fiona
x x x

They start between 6 & 15 months with the odd exception and last around 21 days give or take about 7. Not as you see an exact science. Jackie

Hi Zoe
Bitches usually start their first season between 6 months and 18 months of age, depending on what breed of dog you are getting. :)
The first season is sometimes longer than average. A *normal* season will last typically around 21 days. :)
She may behave differently during her season. She may be more affectionate or try to avoid too much contact, she will want to wee more often and may wee in the house despite her housetraining, she may go off her food a bit. All bitch's are different. :)
She will come into season roughly every 6 months after her first season, and if you are just planning to keep her as a pet I would recommend that you look into having her spayed around 2 - 3 months after her first season. :) I know a lot of people say "spay at 6 months" as a matter of course but IMHO it is better for your bitch to have had her 1st season and be mentally and physically mature before spaying. :)
Fiona has already recommended *the Book of The Bitch*. It is a brilliant book, well worth buying. :D
HTH
Nicky :D

thankyou , i will invest in the book , im sure it will help with many a querie over the years to come!
Im guessing you know when she's in season due to blood spots? or is there a change in temprement,or both?

Usually small spots of blood, but she will be a bit swollen too.
You'll just *know*.
Nicky

Zoe, many bitches do show a change in temperament/behaviour before seasons. Some are said to be a bit mopey but I know mine are coming in when they become more skittish, playful and giddy that usual.

if im waiting till after her first season to spay her...that means i should be extra vigilant whilst walking her from around 5 and a half months...onwards right? im guessing that while ill have to wait for the tell tale signs,that a dog will know a mile away!

Actually a dog can 'know' 5 miles away --- up to 9-10 miles if the winds are right :rolleyes:
I wonder if knowing when the bitch's mother first went into heat helps with figuring out the age? Hmm.
toodles

that a whole load of dogs gonna be sniffing my bitch! ( now that sounded straight out of a gangster film!)
:D
can you show a bitch if she has been spayed.And surely if your bitch isnt spayed....you cannot take her to a show whilst shes in season!!

I have a six month old bitch. Can I expect my neutered male dog to 'know' when she is coming into season ? I have not had a bitch before.

Daisy

i know that my neutered male cats new when my mums in season female cat was in season.They were very different around her.like they knew she was different...they even mounted her on occasion....even though they are neutered! must be some powerfull smell!

Depends on the dog and how old he was when he was castrated.
Yes you can show a spayed bitch if you get permission and you can show a bitch in season. But a spayed bitch may well have a coat change and she may thicken and loose her good shape, showing an in season bitch does not make you friends.
Ja:)kie

Our male was castrated when he was about eighteen months (he was a rescue and we don't know exactly how old he is). He 'mates' with the pup sometimes when they are playing, but I think that it is a dominance thing. The only other dog that he shows any interest in is a large entire male chocolate labrador !

Daisy

Hi Jackie
I always thought you could only show a spayed bitch IF she had to be spayed for health reasons and not just because you did not want to breed - and only then with KC permission??
I hope you are right and I am wrong as a few people that have had pups off us have had them spayed and then as the bitch has got older and they have received many compliments they wish they could show! Obviously need to be 100% what is correct before I phone them.
As for showing when a bitch is in season you can but personally I would not as a little too distracting for all the males out there and not really fair. I know from a friend of ours that in USA it is not allowed.

In the UK dogs neutered to avoid unwanted breeding are allowed to show once you have KC permission, just write an say you have spayed/castrated and may you have permission to show and it will be given, then you are fee to enter shows.
Jackie

Thanks for that Jackie, think I'll be making a few people happy this evening!
Thought it was a bit harsh of the KC but I was wrong so take it all back :-))

The rule used to be that neutered animals could be shown only provided they had registered progeny, no permission needed. Then about 10 years ago the KC announced that any neutered dog or bitch could be shown provided you informed them it had been done, and permission would be granted.

I you look in most show schedules, especially Champ show ones, in the section: Regulations for the preperation of dogs for exhibition F (Annex B).

3. No act or operation that alters the natural conformation of a dog or any part thereof may be performed, except:

and under (d) it states:

(d) operations to prevent breeding provided that such operations are notified to the Kennel Club before neutered dogs are shown.

Please please please to all owners of bitches think about the owners with dogs. It's an absolute nightmare for us. Please use spray's if you have to take your bitches out. My dog (and my previous dogs) have jumped a 2m fence and higher without a problem and strayed for miles when bitches are in season and I really worry about his safety. Thank you

Hi Yel Lab owner,
I will be very carefull with my bitch,esp as i cant spay till after her first season.Im sure as much of a nightmare as it may be for you to restrain your dogs it would be equally as bad for me to have any old dog mount my bitch! so i SHALL do all i can to "veil" the natural art of a season!!

Thank you for being considerate. Any old dog indeed!!! A lot of people actually want me to put my dog for stud, excellent pedigree and great looks & temperament and more than willing however I admit I am equally as fussy and don't want him with any old bitch, snap.

i know i know ! i just ment that as annoying as you find bitch owners to be , im sure the same is thought of dog owners by bitch owners....JUST A THOUGHT! :EEK:
:D

" DONT WANT HIM WITH ANY OLD BITCH"....sure you're not my mother in law??

lol!
:D
:D
;D

What do you guys think~
If you are going to show your bitch , is it advisable to have her spayed? if she does well wouldnt her breeders like their breed line to continue through her?
Allthough there would be pleasure in your bitch winning,would it not be sad to think she was the end of the line? or do you think that it would be nicer to show without doing so around seasons etc?
Perhaps showwing from a youngish age to try and see potential before spaying is an option.
What are your thoughts?

Hi Zoe
Even if your girl is showing and winning I don't imagine your bitch's breeders are going to want to carry on their line through your girl, they will have their own dogs to do that with. :)
My advice is, if you don't want to breed have her spayed and get permission to show, it won't make any difference to the fun you'd have with her if she wins. JMHO. :)
Nicky