My 10 month old Border Terrier, has had her 1st season, what signs/symptoms should I be aware of that may indicate a phantom pregnancy,(have been advised they are prone to this) and although we were extremely vigilant, would there be anything that would indicate a real pregnancy!! Her season was 'clear' ie no bleeding - don't know if this matters!!

Hi, real and phantom pregnancies appear esentially the same for some weeks. Just make completely sure that a dog doesn't get to her and if she shows signs of pregnancy you will know its a phantom. Dont take her out for walks and even if you have a six foot fence around your garden other dogs can still get in, so she must be supervised every moment she is in the garden!! Never under estimate other males jumping/climbing ability and she will be just as keen if she gets a chance to escape. 21 days from the start of the season most bitches are past the fertile stage and they are mostly only fertile once the bleeding has stopped, and then for about 7 days. Phantom pregnancies are sometimes shorter than real ones, and a bitch may have her imaginary puppies from 6 weeks after the fertile time. If you are in any doubt as to whetehr she is pregnant or not - a vet will be able to palpate puppies at 24 days after mating and a scan at about 6 weeks ( about 8 weeks after day 1 of the season ). Its best to drastically reduce the meat/protien in the diet for the next few weeks, to discourage a phantom.

The season always start out with a bloody discharge for the first 8 - 10 days then gradually turns pinky clear to clear. It is at this time that is the most crucial and the bitch must be kept away from the stud dog. From day 10 - 16 approximately, the breedings can take place that will produce a litter. In some breeds this window when breedings can take place can last beyond on the 16th day. So it is best to confine your bitch right up until the 21st day which is the end of the season.

When you are exercising a bitch in season, you must always do it on leash if you do not have a secure yard or a secure dog run to put her in. I would never leave her unobserved as it has been known for stud dogs to dig into a run or the bitch to dig out of one to get to the male. Friends of mine who breed Wire Fox Terriers in the U.S. had that happen. There was just a slip-up where a female in season was put in a run next to a stud. We hadn't picked up on the morning check that the bitch was in season. She was a young bitch with very little flow. It was her first season as well. Voila! Nine weeks later a litter of one puppy. Thank goodness there was only one puppy as this was an unwanted breeding. These people's background in the breed and breeding exceeds 70 years with many U.S. and Can. Show Champions. :(

Margaret :) Canada