My gorgeous girl has come of age at the tender age of 8 months and scared both Mum and Dad :-)

I am looking for advice - exactly how long should I expect her to be on heat for?

Any good hints or tips greatly appreciated

Heidi

hi heidi
well im no expert but bitches are normally in season for around about 3 weeks,but 10/12 days after the bleeding as started,they are at higher risk of pregnancy,so please be careful she dont get out or any male dogs get near her as you dont want your dog to get pregnant.

Hi, the season is roughly divided into 3 parts: 1st part is when she bleeds (about a week-10 days)when the bleeding starts to pale she will be fertile (able to be mated)for about another 7 days, then the last part is the season winding down - her "bits" will still be enlarged and it still may be possible to get pregnant. Bitches are usually only actually able to conceive for 4 or 5 days during the season (usually right in the middle part) but its knowing exactly when those days are keeps the most exprienced breeders on their toes!!!
As of now, dont take her out for walks or males will follow her scent back to your house and lay in wait for her. Dont even let her out in the garden on her own - as she will be as keen as the males are to get together and a determned large breed male will make short work of a six foot fence! On a lead or close supervision EVERY time she goes out of the door. If you go out without her make sure she cannot get out of any windows either!!
Write the day she started bleeding on the calendar and 21 days later she will almost certainly be finished, but be really cautious as in a very few bitches the season can last a few days longer.

Just wanted to add that not all bitches stop bleeding either - our Sky bled for weeks in her season, and also when we adopted her she was pregnant, and bled all the way through it!
So keep her on a lead from now on, don't always rely on the colour of her discharge ;)
Lisa
xx

I'll make sure I keep an eye on my Skye

Cheers

I agree with this totally. Ours bled for the whole three plus weeks of her season from day 1 to day 25

Wendy

To be really safe keep her away from any male dogs for 4 weeks. A season normally lasts 3 weeks, but some bitcvhes don't read the books, and have been caught later. Also normally the first week is safe enough, but some bitches ovulate and stand early.

Mine usually come in season at 8 to 10 months, and they are a medium size dog. Size and breed normally affect when the first season (and sexual maturity) are reached.

I've had Labs start at all points from 6 months to 13 months. The discharge can continue for the full 21 days although it gets paler and less during the latter stages. I never walk my bitches from the house at this time, putting them in the car and taking them down the road a little to break the trail back to the house. I also never allow them off the lead. No matter how obedient a bitch normally is it is a whole different ball game at this time. I walk me bitches around an industrial estate, that way, any dogs I meet will also be on the lead.

The season is soon over so the little inconvenience is only for a short time.

Regards, John

Thankyou all for your words of wisdom.

We are all off camping soon so the finals week or so of her season could be very interesting :-)