rosie is nearly 5 months old now , when is it usual for them to start coming into season ?? she is a westie...

  I want to be ready, something i dont want is any unwanted pups.... Im not intending breeding her at all....

Any time from now until around 13 to 14 months. I would keep a close eye on her from now on.

Regards, John

thanks for that john i wouldnt have known at all...

The "Normal" time is possibly between 6 and 10 months. Very occasionall it can be as early as 4 months although that's a bit worrying and it can stretch as far as 13 to 14 months. The "Old Wives tail" was that if a bitch did not come into season for the first time before a year old then the chances were that it was barren, but I can assure you that it is just that, and old wives tail!

As you have not seen her in season yet you will need to be very careful. Get into the habit of wiping her with a toilet tissue to check for discharge. That way you will not be caught unawares. As you start to get a feel for things little signs start to tip you off to an impending season. Some start to drink rather more than usual, some start scent marking with urine, some working dogs work starts to go to pot (my Anna's).

Best wishes, John

My Westie is called Rosie too. Westies usually come into season on time at six months so keep an eye on her

Jean :-)

My girls haven't come in until they are nearly two and as John says there's nothing wrong with them they've had healthy litters!! 

Westies can vary like all dogs.  3 of my girls were exactly 8 months on the button but 2 of their litter sisters were both 6 months. So it varies.  Not exact time can ever be said.  Enviroment influences can play a part ie other dogs in season can bring another in season.

Please also remember that even after their first season it is not neccessary 6 months later it can vary. 2 of mine had their first season at 8 months and then again at 12 months.

Just be careful.  Westies are also escape artists ;-))

Pam

What other behavioural changes could there be?  I'm just wondering because this week, my 23 week old Scottie has uncharacteristically started whining at bedtime to get off our bed (where she was so insistent she had to sleep before!) to be taken downstairs so that she can sleep on her own downstairs in the dark on the floor!  Most odd, and I was wondering what might be causing this uncharacterstic change in her behaviour!

She maybe doesn't want to sleep on the bed. It is getting warmer and by her age it would be hard for you to tell what is norm.  Mines won't sleep on the bed even if I let them they prefer the cooler floor.

Just a thought.

Yeah, fair point! :-D

I'm finally getting a good night's sleep though! :-D

Its actually a bonus, I originally wanted her to sleep on her own bed, next to my bed once she was old enough to come out of the cage at night - however after 2 nights on our bed when we had visitors and didn't want to leave her downstairs with them, she made it quite clear that our bed was her new sleeping place!  Anyway, we have been in the spare room for a few weeks whilst a laminate floor is being laid in our bedroom, and because of the cream carpet in the spare room, she has to either be on the bed or downstairs - no other options!  Hopefully we will get back in our room this weekend and I have washed her favourite bed all ready for the grand opening and I was worrying that now she's used to our bed, we'd never get her onto the floor again, but it looks like its all coming together perfectly!

Sorry, i've changed the discussion of a thread AGAIN! Just ignore me, carry on everyone!