Hi i am looking for some advice on my 7 month gsd.I am just wondering how long before she comes into season? As i want to make preperations to keep her safe as the dog next door is still intact and i dont want him showing intrest in her,is there any thing i can use that may help in this

Hi Katia,

age is only a very rough guide line when assessing the likely time for seasons but perhaps you should ask your girl's breeder what the most common age is in her breedling line.   For eg. one of my bitches has followed her breeder's lines almost exactly having her first season at 12 months and regularly at 6 monthly intervals since.  However her daughter who is my youngest bitch has just finished her first season - and she's 20 months old!

As for precautions re. the entire male next door - vigilance, vigilance and more vigilance is IMO the only practical answer unless you can have her temporarily housed with a 100% reliable family member who has NO entire miles within several miles' radius - unlikely :rolleyes:   Could you have a word with your neighbour and explain the position when she eventually comes into season?  I always let my neighbour know :)  Also don't let her out in the garden unsupervised ever - and keep her lead on too.   Ensure all household members keep doors shut behind them to avoid escape attempts and keep the practice going until day 28 to be absolutely sure.

Good luck, Teri :)

HI teri many thanks for that i did not know that seasons came in the breeding line i will check with my breeder (i am very impressed you learn something new everyday) kind regards karen

My GSD bitch first came into season when  she was 13 months old and has always been every 5 months for seasons, but her litter sister was 7 months for her first season and continued to come in every 6 months.

Stacey x

Thanks Stacey do you have much intrest from dogs in your area when she is in season

Hi again Karen,

It's not always that straightforward!  But it's a good starting point.   You may notice some change in her behaviour such as becoming a little more needy, clingy and generally slightly more subdued a few weeks before she starts to show physical signs of her season beginning - OTOH, they don't read the d#rn books so she may be totally different :P   If you don't have it already, it may be worth investing in The Book of the Bitch (available on-line from Amazon or at Pets at Home stores)   It will give you lots of practical info and tips, particularly if you intend to keep her entire.

regards, Teri :)

Thanks teri i spoke to my breeder to day and she said that their lines come in at around 11 months i am glad of that info regards karen