I have a 2 year old retriever bitch, with whom i would love to mate in the not too distant future, I am waiting to have her hips scored!  She is in season at the moment, and has been for about 10 days, but she seems a little depressed, she still runs about with the others and plays, but when she lays down she will sometimes whine a little? she has always loved teddies etc, she will lay down for ages and suck on a soft toy, she seems to use it like a child uses a dummy!!! she came from a very reputable breeder, and I had her from 9 weeks, so i have no worries on that score, plus I have also noticed she is not eating a lot (approx half her normal amount) is this normal behaviour for a bitch in season??

Has she behaved like this in her past seasons (you say you've had from 9 weeks)? If she has then it's normal for her, if she hasn't then I'd say not?