when my bitch had her first season she was bleeding for 3 weeks, she is now having her second season, she has been bleeding for 12 days now. i have been told that if they bleed for more that 10 days there is something wrong.

but then someone else said that bleeding for 3 weeks is quite normal.

what do you think?

Varies from bitch to bitch. All of mine bleed for the full 20 days or so, only one of them starts bleeding LESS after about 10 days -but doesn't stop. (She's on day 13 today and I've washed all my floors today as I do every Friday, and sure enough there are new blood spots in here on my clean floors LOL.) I've never had one stop bleeding before the season was over.

I have had perfectly healthy bitches show colour for up to a month.

sounds completely normal to me, i dont have any bitches that dont bleed for at least 15 days so i certainly wouldnt be worried

thanks the person who told me there is something wrong if they bleed for more than 10 days is a vet, well that shows him.
have any of you had healthy litters with these bitches,
oh and my bitch is also on day 13 the bleeding is only there alittle, she is good at keeping herself clean so its hard to tell.

My bitch in season at day 13 now and still bleeding had ten pups last year, all fine. Her mother bled all the way through all her seasons, never even got less heavy, she had 3 healthy litters.

> have any of you had healthy litters with these bitches,
>

Most definitely yes.  :-) 

I have one girl that bleeds for a month.  Even after and during mating.  Has had healthy litters both times.

ten puppies i hope my girl doesnt have that many (think of teh money LOL) i dont want her to struggle.
is it just an old wives tale that heavy means more puppies.

Never heard that old wives tale, but all bitches have seasons lasting at least 3 weeks, usually it's nearer to 4 weeks. No problems conceiving or carrying litters because of it either(7 pups last time)

my gundogs last litter was 13 ...she bleed for over 4weeks

i think she has now stoped bleeding after 15 days on the dot.
but i can now feel the boobies coming, thats teh bit i hate the most.

i really want to tell my vet (step dad as well) that he was wrong, but he hates being wrong so i will just let him think he was right. he probably went home and looked it up and saw he was wrong, he is a large animal vet(farm animals) so its not that bad.

BOOK OF THE BITCH page 30 explains in detail ;) 

Anyone owning a bitch, whether planning to breed or not should really get/read this book, if you're planning to breed then owning it and knowing it from cover to cover would be wise ;)

I'm astonished that your vet isn't better informed, perhaps he should get and read a copy too :-D :-D

i know he has been a vet for abut 30 years!!!!!

The Book of the Bitch is my bible!