Poppy is now 6 months old.  Her behaviour has changed in somuchas she has started hiding food in her bed (thanks God its not the soft stuff), she is not eating as much, sometimes she seems 'tired' not wanting to play or do anything - almost moping about. She has even snapped at me a couple of times. Her tummy is a little puffy and she looks a little chubby around her midriff.  I know its getting closer to that time - but dont know what to look out for and i have been told soooooooo many different things regarding seasons - from a trickle of bleeding to a full blown fountain and from a quiet pup to a raging bull .... Any advice would be great.

Just dab her vulva each mornign witha  tissue and when you get a pink colour she has started her season.  Keep her away from male dogs and anwhere they are likely to be loose for at least 21 days and if likely to be in close contact more like 4.

She may become tetchy with other dogs and be funny about having her rear touched.  she may become exciteable or quiet or both by turns.

her vulva will likely start to swell up as well, so you can look for that too.  The tissue works in the vast majority of dogs, altho there is that small percentage that have "silent" seasons where no blood appears - but it's quite rare, I think.

8) #)

:-)#cc

Reggie,what on earth are you doing ??

Hi Poppys mum

My Poppy (CKCS) is also 6 months and has just started her first season.  A couple of weeks ago after she'd been sitting with me on the sofa, when she got up there was a dark brown/reddish sort of damp patch, she made a big thing of licking it clean, I assumed she'd started her season.  There was nothing for a few days, despite wiping her vulva each morning with a clean tissue.  A few days later my husband noticed blood when he was rubbing her tummy.  Again, nothing for a few days, then on Friday night I definately saw blood!  I had previously contacted the vets and described Poppy's symptoms which included moping about and not wanting to play, off her food, barking and growling at husband for no apparent reason and then 5 minutes later wanting to sit on his lap or take toys to him for playing, very clingy to me, puffy tummy.  The vet said it sounded like she is in season and it could be that because it's her first one, the bleeding is very light coupled with her being a very clean dog.

You might find that your Poppy also has a very light season and you hardly notice anything.