My lab is now nearly 14 months old.  She had a slight season at 6 months old where I saw a few specks of blood and that was basically it but I can't tell right now if she is in Season or not and wonder if anyone can help. 
Basically the whole of her underside (belly area) has turned a dark colour and all around the vulval area it has gone very dark and swollen looking, she also has a few spots that have come up that are also dark.  Problem is it is hard for me to tell if it is dried blood or actually the colour her skin has turned as it is not easy for me to check her when she lies on her back as she turns around again.
The other thing is that I have not seen any blood at all and we have very light floors.  So how would I know if she is in season or not?
Helppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Usually they will clean themselves more in that area and some may go a bit quieter (but depends on the bitch). Some may go off their food but my greedy lady doesnt

Try a piece of white tissue paper undreneath her and check for blood stains that way

If she's gone quite dark on the skin then that's a good sign of her being in season.  You don't always get colour, I should know :d

would it be usual for her to not be dripping all over the place then?

Yes goat, it can be quite normal for her not to drip all over the place.  I have a bitch who I exepcted to come into season around begining of July. And was still waiting until yesterday morning, no drips, and have been swabbing her for last 3 weeks, yesterday she was flagging and tormenting the rest of my dogs.  She has been in season (dry season) for around 9/10 days, no signs whatsoever.  She has always been a very clean bitch, and this will be her 3rd litter, but normally swabs have shown spotting etc.  So, even though there is no signs of blood, she may be having a season, be very vigilant!!!!

Just to add, wayhay, finally we are off the the stud :D :D

Kayc, my bitch is 17 months old and has never had a season - or has she? How do you tell if she is in season if there's no blood?

Dee

When you catch both dog and bitch in a clinch behind the bike shed (tic)  sorry could not resist. ;)

She may get very affectionate, demanding attention more than normal.  The vulva will thicken and swell, usually quite noticable.  She may well be spotting blood, but keeping herself very clean, most bitches do, but some more than others.  She may get greedy for food, a little like PMS and chocolate cravings lol. 

If she is a very clean bitch swabbing with some tissue may show nothing, so a little pressure may actually be needed, and when I say pressure I mean a tiny amount, not heavy handed. 

However, I have known some bitches not to come into season until around 2 years old, unusual, but not uncommon.

Also be very vigilant and very carefull, just because there is no blood does not mean she cannot get pregnant. She can.

Thank you Kayc, have been checking her with a tissue,  nothing yet. I haven't got any male dogs though my puppy bitch is sniffing her a lot and she seems very 'sexed up' :) I will be getting her spayed next year because of all what she's been through, puppies is the last thing she needs! Just don't want to put her through another operation just yet. Thanks and I will keep a closer eye on her now.

Dee

Hi Kayc,

The bike shed's a!!! now we all know what you got up to!!!!!!

Regards
Denese

Hi Goat,
Had the same with my Sammy, she is a clean girl anyway, But!!
the last season there was very little. But! She was swollen.
I was told that is the sign!! there are silent season. Confusing a !!!
Regards
Denese