Hi All
I have found a great Stud for my Ridgeback bitch, after plenty of pedigree research I found a dog who shares my bitches great grand parents and he is a Champion! Hopefully we will get the show dog we are after!
Question, the owner of the Stud Dog wants my bitch on the 12th day of her heat. When do you know day one is here?, and why does the dogs owner want mine taken to him at 12 days? Are ther any good sites of info available on a dogs "season" and what to look for?
Your help is much appreciated! Regards Kevin

I would have thought that you would take your bitch when she is ready to be mated , it may not be day 12.
A really good book to buy is the book of the bitch.
More experianced people than me will be able to guide you better, but that book is fantstic.

Peanuts

Hi Kevin

I would suggest you get the book "The Book of the Bitch".

How long have you had your bitch - if since a pup and she has had at least three seasons then you would be aware of what is likely to happen on the first day of her season/heat?

Days 11 - 13 are the most usual prime time for mating but not for every bitch, some are early some are later so again the book may give you guidelines

Christine

Kevin, How long did your bitch go between her first and second seasons, and between her second and third? You'll need to calculate this to know roughly when she is due in season again. Around the due time, keep an eye out for her perhaps scent marking, passing small amounts of urine very frequently. Examine her vulva every day, for swelling and softening and of course a blood stained discharge. As soon as the blood appears, that is day one. By about day nine the discharge will change colour from red to straw, but you must check her every day from day one, as seasons vary between bitches. When the blood is gone and the straw colour is left she will ovulate about 48 hours later.
Please get hold of a copy of 'The Book of the Bitch' it's a 'must have'.
Dawn R.

Fancy that! All three of us typing the same advice all at the same time. Great minds eh.
Dawn R.

Not all bitches stopp bleeding though!

I did say that seasons vary. Do you have any further advice for Kevin?
Dawn R.

"When the blood is gone and the straw colour is left she will ovulate about 48 hours later" - your words...

I was just pointing out that not ll bitches stop bleeding as you state that that is when they ovulate - if i had waited for my girl to stop bleeding she would have been mated on day 32! :) No need to be touchy!

Already have the book of the bitch! Agree its a must have - I just couldn't see where it said how to identify day 1! She is due in season in three weeks, My eldest bitch is first as she finishes the youngest one comes in and then as she is due to finish Bonny comes in! I am just keen to identify day 1! I live close enough to the dog to re-visit if necessary, but to avoid stress etc would prefer it if I knew she was ready!

Hi,
When her vulva starts looking swollen, press a clean white tissue onto it when she gets up (after a rest or similar), and when you see a pink stain on it, that is day 1.

Between days 11 and 13 is the fertile time (therefore the best time to mate them) for average bitches. Not all bitches know this, though! One of mine didn't ovulate (and wouldn't stand for the stud) till day 18!

Hope it goes well! :)

Thanks! I am nervous now and she is a few weeks away from her season! I will let you all know when the time is right!

You can get blood tests done by the vet to chech when she ovulates, normally takes two or three test on every other day from about day 10. Ther cost us at our current vets £22 each test, but my previous vet used to charge £50 a hit... so it is worth shopping around. They determine when ovulation has occurred and your bitch should be ready to be mated....

Al