Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help?

I have 2 dogs, one boy, one girl. My girl has recently had her first season at 9 months old, at this age she is too young to have a litter so our boy was looked after by a family member on the last week of heat. On the 22nd day he arrived back. He is refusing to eat and is panting and wineing, is this normal?? He still has an interest in my girl, we researched and also were told by an experienced breeder that there are 21 days of heat - but is this correct??

Not always - some bitches' seasons last longer and they can still be fertile at 21 days.  My stud dog mated one bitch on day 23 and 24 of her season and she had pups.  Be VERY careful.  It may be that he is just inexperienced and optimistic but she may still be receptive.

To be safe do not leave them alone together until 28 days.

Thank you for your advice. Much appreciated. My only other worry is my boy not eating. He is a fussy eater at the best of times. Whilst at my relatives house he would not eat his usual meal (PAL (tinned dog food) with pedigree dog mixer) or any other other dog food. He will only willingly eat cheese or biscuits, and turns his nose up at dog food. Would it be wise to take him to the vets or will this behaviour pass? Could this be a side effect of our girls season?? 

If he was with your bitch while she was in season, even in the early days, then his lack of appitite will be the result.  That's exactly why breeders without adequate facilities to keep them 'out of scent distance' don't keep dogs and bitches.  The boys can be very fretful, noisy and difficultand iIt really isn't fair on them. :(  He will need to stay with your relatives for 4 weeks everytime your bitch is in season if he isn't to be distressed.  It would be kinder to him to have your bitch spayed in 3 months time.

Our dogs were kept seperate throughout heat. They were kept in seperate gardens on our premises. Thank you for your advice, we now (judging by our boys behaviour) know that our girl was out of sight but obviously not out of smell! We will seek veterinary advice about spaying her. Thanks again.

The scent of a bitch in season can travel an enormous distance and can really cause distress to a male eager to mate! :(  It's not easy! :)

It would be responsible to have your male done too

It would be responsible to have your male done too I can't see why? If the bitch is speyed and the male is not allowed to wonder and has no temperament or health issues relating to being entire why should he be castrated?? I have 2 bitches(1 speyed,one due to be speyed) and 3 entire males...are you saying its irresponsible of me to leave them entire?
Archer

Yes i agree archer, it was a very intresting subject at the vulnerable breeds seminar. One point being that vets promote speying your bitch a.s.a.p but dont seem to tell people that the dog could sufferer from weight gain, hair growth and incontinents, yet they stilll seem to be pushing it and pushing it to pet owners and not fully informing them of what the consequences are. Im not getting at the original poster, but if you cant cope with a bitches season, have a dog.