Is it very common for a bitch to go nearly 12 months between seasons. My girl was due in July and is very late.  I have stud dog lined up and I am now getting concerned that she is so late.  I know it can happen but it isnt common, any ideas?  This is something I have not experienced before sho thought what better place to ask.

xx

The average is 6 months. That means some will be sooner and some later. It may well be coincidence but I've always found that the age of the bitch on her first season has roughly tallied to her cycle - if she was 8 months on her first season she had a roughly 8-month cycle. How old was your bitch on her previous seasons?

Never found that at all.  In my breed bitches are usually 8 to 10 months of age, yet seasons 4 to 8 months apart.

My Jozi last year was due in season August and was two months later, and a previous time she was late in the second season of the year, both occasions when I was planning to mate her.

They often seem to be late when you're desperately waiting to mate them!  My bitches have usually gone between 7 and 9 months between seasons, but I know of one that is every 4 months or so (nightmare!) and one that's only once a year. 

Nor mine. Any bitch I have had even other breeds has been approx 7-9 months for first season then 6 monthly season. A week or two here or there but no more.

I am not convinced yearly cycles are normal at all. Anyone I know with bitches with odd cycles general have probelm down the line or the bitch needs spayed. Just my experience though.

I know that Basenji's are said to have yearly cycles.

In my own breeds the vallhunds tend to have their first seasons between 8 and 13 months, with an average cycle of between 8 and 12 months - my first bitch was 10 months to the day every time, even when she had her litters.  the German Spitz are usually first in between 6 and 8 months and cycle on that rotation too.

I wouldn't be doing anything about not having a first season until the bitch was 18 months, then i would have hormone tests, including thyroid, done.

If my bitch did not come into season over 12 months, the first thing I would do is take her to the vet for a good and thorough check over, make sure she is healthy and not stressed as we know those two things can certainly stop a season happening.

Your right it is not un-heard of, it does happen, I guess like some of us we may have very irregular or regular 'seasons' ;-) the difference with us is we would go on the pill to make ourselves settle into a pattern. I don't particularly like medical interference with bitches, but perhaps you should have a word with your vet.

Perhaps the stimulation of an in-season bitch, (if you can find one) may help?

Hope that she comes in soon, she couldn't have had a very slight vulva swell and silent season could she?

In my breed length between seasons are more likely to be 10 to 14 months. 6 months would be the exception.
Diane

My young Bracco bitch hasnt had a season yet and she's 15 months.  Do you think I should be concerned?  She lives with other dogs that are speyed and neutered so I thought this may be delaying it.  Also, she may have had a silent season.  I think this breed are renowned for late first seasons though so Im not too concerned at the moment but it she hasnt come into season at 18 months then I will be taking advice from the vet.

Is this quite normal for this breed or large gundogs generally.

Thanks
Spettadog

Breeds can vary so much.  It doesn't seem to be related to size either.  for example GSD bitches often come in season young and frequently have short inter season intervals as little as four months.

On the other hand my friend who had Welsh Springers told me normal seasons were 10 months apart (think heres came in about that age or a year).

I have heard that well over a year is normal for some breeds.  The best person to tell you is the breeder.

My new girl Jessie is 15 months & hasn't had a season, she will comeinto season when she is ready. One of my friends Danes was nearly 2

I wish mine didn't come in so early usually 8 motnsh and often first couple of seasons only 4 or 5 months apart, once they sort themselves out it is usually not much over 6 months.

My youngest Golden has just finished her first season -she's just turned 9 months so was 8 when she started. She's the youngest I've had though.

Ripley one of the Malinois always come in the same month! February and September!

To be honest, I'm not too worried because I know that my other Bracco's sister was well over a year before she came into season.

I think that living in a family with no other entire bitches will also affect her because she is in no rush.  She had a leg injury earlier this year too and she lost so much weight after the GA.  She looks fab now though.

We then moved to the country and although the dogs love it, it has been quite an upheaval for all of us and there's been a lot of adjusting to do ie like being more organised and making sure you have enough milk because you cant just pop down to the local shop!!!  We've all settled now so Im hoping it will not be too long before she has a season.

I think it just differs from dog to dog and also environmental changes have a lot to do with it.  The vet thinks she may have had a silent season but Im not convinced.  I just think she is in no hurry and will come into season when she is good and ready.

Thanks for your replies.
Spettadog

I had a bitch go 21 months between seasons (obviously being the time that I wanted to have a litter from her!!!!) mated her at that season and had 9 healthy pups.

It's always the way when you have a litter planned, personally I wouldn't worry too much at the moment. I have heard wheatgerm oil from Dorwest helps bitches but how true it is I don't know. A friend swears by it.