We have a 6 month old puppy of a medium to large breed.

We have been aware that she could go into season anytime no and have therefore been testing the area with white tissue twice daily.  The area is clean as she cleans it herself.  Today I noticed very slight brown discharge inside it and also very small blood stains on my bed - which we also assume are from her as she sleeps at the bottom of our bed sometimes.

We have never owned a bitch before so are unsure what the first season should be like.  Is this normal to have very little blood or is it not her season but something else.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

This sounds very much like the first day of her season. The blood is likely to increase steadily for about 10 days then become paler in colour - this is when she is most fertile!. For the next three to four weeks don't leave her unattended outside at all, not even in your own garden.

I suggest you get a copy of "The book of the Bitch" by White and Evans; it'll answer all your questions as well as the ones you haven't thought of!
:)

One of my girls hardly ever bleeds so be careful as you might not be aware.  She managed to lose a total of two drops of blood in her whole season.  She is now 5 weeks pregnant thankfully planned so be very careful for her sake.

thanks for your advice I have bought the book of the bitch - but only 2 days ago so have not got round to reading it all now.  she is usually a very hyperactive puppy! but the last 2 days she has been quite relaxed, quiet and sleepy, is this down to her being in season.  also - does this mean she will have another season in 6 months time.  just thought she seemed a bit young!!!!!

She sounds like a bitch who's read the textbooks! :) Bitches can have their first season any time between about six months of age and about a year, and it seems often that the age at which they have their first one is about the gap they leave between them. Going by that I'd say yes, her next one is likely to be in about six months.

thanks - i am going to breed her but i planned to wait till she was about 21/2 to 3.  do you think 3 is too late.  some people say 2nd or 3rd break - which in diamonds case will be 1 1/2 ??????  I think this is way too young. 

What breed is she? I have dalmatians, and most people like to wait until they're about 3 for a first litter. In fact the breed club forbids the mating of bitches before they're 2.
:)

She is a dalmatian

There's your answer! :) Don't mate her before her second birthday, no matter how many seasons she's had. Around her third birthday would be better (as long as she has normal hearing, of course - otherwise don't breed from her at all) because as a breed they're mentally puppies for so long.
:)

As a fellow dalmatian owner wait until she is over two as JG say mentally they are pups for a lot longer than normal.  I bred my eldest one at 2 and a half and my second one is now 3 and half my youngest one is being mated next season unless it comes in the next couple of months because she is driving me bonkers - hehe!  Dont worry too much about leaving it later I know people who wait until 4 or 5 before breeding although personally I think that 5 is a bit old for a first litter but others disagree.  I was told the 2nd season to mate mine by the vet and the club secretary nearly had heart failure when I told her.

On the subject of breed club rules regarding matings any idea why the NOEDC is whelp before two and the BDC mate before two JG? 

Still trying to find where the smilies come from.

I'd wait until she's two also.  unfortunately not everyone does this but people who care about their dogs will. 

>On the subject of breed club rules regarding matings any idea why the NOEDC is whelp before two and the BDC mate before two JG? 

Not at all certain about that, because at the BDC AGM I was at when this amendment was passed (the previous BDC ruling was 'not whelping before 2 years) was because we were told the NOEDC had passed this and it was best to have a united front!

It does actually make sense, because as you know they are a very late maturing breed (mentally about 8 years old in my experience) so a season or two later (avoiding Christmas) is no bad thing.

Thanks for the reply JG.  The person whos stud dog I am using on my baby argued with me I could mate her before 2 and quoted the NOEDC rule at me but as I am a member of both, well all 4 clubs actually, I said I wasnt happy to.  With one due to whelp next month I am not in rush anyway.

Got to agree about the maturing 100% the dad to my dogs is still like a puppy even though he is 11.  One of his many charms.

Smilies :

: followed by a ) gives you :)

; and ) is ;)

: and D is :D

: and p is :p

: and ( is :(

: eek : (without the spaces) give you

: mad :  will give you

: rolleyes : will give you :rolleyes:

: confused : will give you

HTH

I've just had a look at the NEDC code of conduct, and they seem to have the wording that the BDC changed because it was ambiguous. The NEDC says that 'no bitch should be bred before the age of two'. There were two viewpoints about this - did 'bred' mean mated or whelped? If it meant whelped, then bitches could be mated before 2 and still comply with the C of C. As they're such a late-maturing breed, the BDC membership decided to err on the side of caution and changed the wording to 'mated' rather than 'bred'.
:)

Firstly thank you Melodysk for the smilies it has been driving me nuts!

JG got to say I checked direct with Shelagh on this point and she told me if I mated molly before 2 then I would be breaking the BDC code of conduct as the stud dog owner kind of insisted it would be okay.  I think one lot of spotties on the go is quite suffient never mind consecutive litters. :a )

The stud dog owner isn't up to date with the rules!
:)

Thomas the Spot
re Smilies
: followed by ) gives you :)
Leave out the letter a. Just use the symbols, don't include the words, that Melodysk showed, and you'll be right :D
Leave a space after the word you are doing it after as well
Anne

:)

I DID IT !!!!! HOORAY FOR ME!

There you go :D

please work :)

yahoo :) ;0