We got Bella aged 6 months from lab rescue,I am concerned as she has only had one season when she was 12 months old,should I take her to the vet.

Sheila

sorry she is two years old now.

Sheila

Taking her to your vet and asking for advice certainly can't do any wrong but you may be worrying unnecessarily.

One of my girls didn't come into season until she was 22 months.  I took her to the vets for advice and to check her out several times from her being 12 months old while waiting for that first season.  They did suggest scanning her if nothing happened by the time she was 2 but she just beat them to it.

I think they are individuals and don't all run as per the 'average'.  At least taking her to your vet will give you peace of mind one way or another.

So if I am reading this correctly she hasnt had a season for a year?
This can happen & I have known for some bitches go 2 years between a season. Why go to the vet putting money in their pockets, just let nature take it's own course.

As there could be any number of reasons for this from nothing at all to a serious problem it would be best to let a vet check her out. Some dogs only have a cycle once a year and this may be the case with her but there could be a medical cause so have it checked for peace of mind.

I have a large Gundog breed and that would be fairly common for my breed. One of my girls was 18 months old before she had her first season, then went 13 months till the next and the last one was 11 months later.
Her mother had her first season at 9 months and then every six months after that give or take a couple of weeks.
Having been stressed myself about seasons I asked a few other breeders and they said it was very common for some dogs to have a season only once per year. It makes no difference to fertility, as a half sister to mine,who also has a yearly cycle  was mated and delivered 13 healthy puppies.
I am not sure what a vet could actually tell you without extensive exploratory procedures' which would probably need to be carried out by a specialist.
If it were my dog and the girl was fit and healthy, I would just wait and see, she has already had one season so you know everything is normal there.
To be honest I see having a yearly season as a positive advantage for a show girl. I do not lose entry fees, or have to miss shows due to a season, and she does not drop her coat as often so a win, win,  all-round.

Could well be wrong but I think you can tell from a hormone test where in the cycle a bitch is. And yes it does depend on the breed it is normal for example for a Basenji to only have one season a year but I believe that for a Lab two is more normal.

To be honest I think with bitches and seasons there can be quite a wide variation even within breeds. I had five bitches in my last litter and they have all had different patterns.
One of my friends has a Flatcoat bitch and she was also quite late in coming into season, at around 20 months and also goes long periods between seasons, but she is dual purpose girl and in very hard condition.
From just doing asking around other breeders the general consensus was that working bitches tend to have less seasons.
Perhaps some Lab breeders will come on and say what is usual for the breed.

One of my girls a GR who is now 6yrs old has only had 3 seasons in that entire period of time, her first season was 19months.
My vet told me when she was 3yrs old they would investigate further if I was wanting to breed from her but I don't breed myself.
He said she would be having silent seasons and unless I was concerned about her health then best left alone in her case.
She is being spayed after her next season when ever that maybe.

I have been worried as I want to have her spayed,will have a word with my vet when I see him,thanks for your replies
Sheila

My bitches have varied.....most outrageous being two weeks off three years old  at first season and next season 13 months later, went on to have a healthy litter of 10 at second season. Another, first season at 22 months next 13 months later, fingers crossed now as she has been mated.Another 17 months between seasons, another 9 months between seasons. All of these bitches are closely related and I have others that have  one season a year ( normal for our breed) with normal gaps. YES planning litters in my breed takes a the  long term strategy and patience !