This may be a stupid question, but i have been reading all the threads on here about bitches being spayed and problems with it being done in young dogs.... so when do bitches get their first season? and roughly how long does it last?
I guess it may depend on the breed??? so the specific breed i am on about is Shetland Sheepdogs

Hi, bitches have their first season on average at about 6 months of age. In reality it can be anywhere between 5 and 12 months (mine have always been around the 8 month mark). It lasts an average of 21 days.
:)

smaller breeds tend to have their forst season earlier than larger breeds which take longer to mature. 6 months is usually the earliest a bitch will have her first season. our labs usually come on heat first time around 8-10 months same with the staffies and springers. our rottie bitch came into season first when she was around 13 months old. the terriers started from around 6-8 months. we are thinking of getting a dobe or an american bulldog bitch, or possibly one of each if we cant decide!!, i imagine they will be around the 1 year old mark same as our rotie bitch.

I think my dogs are the exception to the rule, my BC was over a year old and my GR is 11 months and we are still waiting! She must be a late maturer!

hi

my dog is now 11 months and still has'nt had a season? is that good or bad?

j

It's neither good nor bad - just nature :)