I was wondering if most of you who have bitches have found that they usually last about the same each time.

Do you find that length of time in season is generally about the same or does it vary?

I'm asking to see whether I may have a slim hope I can exhibit at Crufts this year. If she remains in season for it we won't be going.
Just reading botb and it says that if you run your hand down the spine and they move their tail to the side they are ready, now she's done this since day one, my male who is entire(not same breed and no intentions of them mating) has been interested in her scent but not even attempted any move(thankfully) but he's never been used so know this isn't always reliable..

Would it be worth me getting her hormone levels tested?

A few days ago I had resigned myself that we wouldn't be going but I'm trying to find some hope ;-)

On average mine tend to be similar time each time...
But had one tested as mated her and season 1 day 13 and had not quite ovulated but was willing to mate... season 2 day 8 had ovulated and just about to go over, mated that day and did not want to know the next. So they can vary season to season.
2 of mine put their tails on side when not even in season (the times i have had to point out they are no where near a seasons) so would not trust that method too much :-)...

Ok that's interesting to know... Thanks Noora x

Mine are late and I also have one that will be 15 days at crufts so will be fertile and she tends to attract upto a week after her season :( so I've gone from 3dogs at crufts to 1 :-(

I have 3 girls all the same breed. Their season lengths do vary (2 are spayed now though) between 19 & 25 days.

can i ask out of interest how long do people leave it between their bitch coming into season and taking them back out to a show? 

A few people have said 3 weeks to me?  Or do you go from when they stop flagging? If so how long would you wait?

Would you use bitch spray if they had recently come out of season?  Also any idea how long they remain distracting for?

Just wondering as so far we haven't had seasons clash with shows (obviously wouldn't take her if they did) but just wondering what people do (there seems to be a lot of un-written rules and I'd hate to cause others a problem).

Thanks & sorry for the million questions

I've had a bitch mated on day 28 and conceive.  So I don't expect a bitch to be "safe" at 3 weeks.

Mine seem to be finished after 3 weeks, so I'll leave it a few more days to be safe, and make sure they are very thoroughly washed. I wouldn't use bitch spray as the boys soon learn that the smell means there's a bitch in season nearby! Haven't had any troubles with attracted males yet. :-)

I have a girly who is usually in season 30+ days. This last season she was in 14! In my experience the very most special of girlies do not read the books :-D

Well it's looking likely she is pretty much there, at 9 days, which is promising.. But we'll see and assess it all nearer the time... Special is a great word to describe mine too ;-)

One of my girls has had 2 "normal" seasons of about 21 days, the last one was 7 days and she was flagging on days 6 and 7 and then that was it...no swelling and back to normal. I know she was back to normal as the boys were not the slightest bit interested. Very strange.

I have found my dogs have been more interested in the second half of a bitches season rather than the first 10 days, in fact up until then I can keep them together with monitoring.  After that they are split and I even leave it a couple of days after day 21 until they meet again.

3 weeks (or 21 days) isn't long enough here. she was mated last year on days 11 and 13, this is her first proper season since the pups and it was on day 19 my male went off his food, crying like a baby and going demented trying to get at her! she's now day 24 and, as he ate his food yesterday and today for the first time since day 19, I let her rejoin him (her brother) and the others under close scrutiny. He had a sniff, she growled and he walked away.
Didn't stop him trying on his spayed mum and the puppy though!! :D

I've also had one that was ready on days 9 and 11 and then again on days 21 and 23 and it was the latter mating that produced puppies.

Mine have been singing at each other through the doors, when they have to pass each other I hold my boy and he does pull and she's stood there flirted and turned around and tried to put herself into his face.... She is properly flagging today and thankfully with walls and doors my boy has given up...