Sorry if this is a really stupid question but when working out how long a bitch goes between seasons so I can work out when the next one should be due, do you count from the first or last day of their first season to the first day of the next one.  Just asking as Misty started her first season on 27th Dec which lasted 21 days and she came in again yesterday.  Or is it too early to properly establish a cycle length.
Also, it seems a lot heavier already.  Is this the case that the first season is generally lighter than subsequent ones?

:)

Count from first day to first day. So Misty went about 6½ months between her first and second seasons. Hopefully she'll continue with roughly that interval, give or take a couple of weeks - round about early February for the next. :)

You count from the first day :) Seasons vary in time length, one of mine is every 19 - 20 weeks :rolleyes:
Yours is about 29 weeks, approx 6 months so your'e looking at end of January again? But who knows lol This is mollys 3rd or 4th season and only now have I worked it out give or take a week :D
And yes, her first season was definately the messiest! But she keeps  herself reasonably clean now.

Thank you!  I thought it would be the first day but just wanted to make sure.  I plan on getting her speyed in about 3 months time after this season although I am having battles with OH as he would like Misty to have a litter so we can then keep a puppy from her :rolleyes:.  I am also getting pressure from others who say that all bitches should have at least one litter (SIL included who did just this).  I keep telling them that this is codswallop but noone is listening:rolleyes:

Just so that it is clear in my mind, it is just myth........... isn't it?   Please can I have all your views on this so I can then show OH and the others.  Yes I would love another puppy and plan on getting one in a year or so but never planned on breeding one myself as I dont have the time/space/money to do so nor the experience and I certainly dont have a mentor as breeder now emigrated abroad.  I know that everyone has to start somewhere but in my mind doing so just to be able to keep a puppy isn't a good enough reason for me. :)

You're absolutely right - it is an old-wives' tale! There are absolutely no health benefits to the bitch of having a litter - in fact it's more the opposite - pregnancy is risky and can result in the deaths of both bitch and litter. It's not something to be undertaken lightly. Stick to your guns - you're right, they're wrong! :)

Yes it is sa myth and breeding is a very serious subject too often entered itno lightly.  After all you are bringing into the word the next generation for good or ill.  The whole purpose of breeedign shoudl be to improve the breed.  To do this you need to ahve a lot of knowledge of your breed and the individuals in your bitches and stud dogs pedigrees, then a good dollop of Luck.

Spaying is best done half way between seasons, if she has had more than one you can guess better, but if she has previously gone 6 months or more then at least two months before her next one is due is best.  I would tend to go with 3 months after the last season started in case she is one of thsoe who comes in sooner.  I deally you want no signs of swollen mammaries, but not too close to the next season as the increased blood supply to the uterus makes bleeding during or after the operation more of a risk.

as with us first day to first day. :d