I'm a bit confused, folks.

Our (very experienced) stud dog owner is suggesting our girl isn't in season yet because her blood is brown.  She said that brown means it's coming - but it's a 'show' and the main season isn't here yet?!!

I thought any blood was Day 1 of season?  (It is more red today than yesterday.)

I've always counted seasons by first day of blood, whatever colour. 

Our girl does usually bleed with more red blood by this point of her season, but it is getting redder by the day...

What an interesting thread and I will look with interest at the responses.
I also thought the first sign of colour was the start of the season but is it? and also is it easy to miss it as well?

Mine always started 'brown' before they came in 'properly' and had a blood-coloured discharge.

Go with your own instinct rabid. We have always counted colour as the first day. Blood isn't going to be 'brilliant' red to start with...& each season will differ slightly

I've always counted any blood as day 1.  I can't be analysing blood colours

Mamabas, but what day do you count as day 1 if you are breeding?

> I've always counted seasons by first day of blood, whatever colour.

Me too

perhaps these days when bitches appear to be mated much later is because living in the house we pick up that first day at first sign where in the past living outdoors under less direct supervision the start of season was noticed  after a few days when very obvious bleeding has started, and so were said to be mated day 10 - 12??.

I have often counted day 1, then occasionally day two and three I second guess and then the next day there is no doubt.  I still count from whatever colour.  Most of my bitches are mated after day 15 from when I say they are in season.  Some bitches show very little colour anyway.

Well that 3 of us whom have plenty of experience in breeding, that count from first colour...hope that helps to reassure what your doing is correct

Okey dokey, thanks!

> but what day do you count as day 1 if you are breeding?

From the first day of a blood-coloured discharge - but actually I went more by how my bitch was behaving - tail moving and my home stud dogs behaviour rather than anything else.

My youngest bitch had a day where there was a brown coloured smudge on a tissue a couple of weeks ago and I really thought she was finally coming in but alas...nothing since. She is due any day or should be but nothing :(