heat

[Tanya32]

Typically what age do dogs start their heat and how long does it last?

[lmd]

I had a dog born in August, and she came in heat in early February - 6 months. That is an average but not a rule. This dog was kept away from any male of any type until the end of March. In the middle of June she was digging under the porch, and I picked her up to see lots of milk development. She had 7 puppies that day. No I didn`t see the milk/growth changes in her when she flew around the fields playing and having fun with the other dogs. I felt so stupid. The reminder here, is there is always reason to be cautious. Literature often mentions 4 weeks for the heat cycle. I remember when I was a kid a lady thought her dog was finished her heat when the red spotting was done. Prime time for breeding, and she let the dog out and ended up with puppies of course.

[davet]

have to agree with everything IMD posted..The main thing is you have to remember that dogs do not or maybe cannot read the books on what their body is supposed to do..Marylyn Monore had far less attraction to humans than a dog in heat to a male dog, Open doors, climb out windos, climb dog proof fences etc...just don;t trust them

[lmd]

Yea, people don`t realize how inventive the dogs can get. One lady told me that she had a male climbing chain link fencing to get to a *beep*, BUT the male caught his penis in the fencing, and it took a lot of help to get him free. Thoise puppies I mentioned happened 6 years ago. The mom was only 10 months old when she had the pups - criminal. I felt so guilty and sad for her. She is a love, and of course spayed, and I think she forgives me. Coming into heat 2 months apart was not something I would ever has guessed to happen. Her name is Jet for a reason.

[Tanya32]

Could being around a whole male dog bring a dog into heat, like it does a mare? I am taking my dog to my brothers at Xmas and she will be 10 mos by then. She's almost 9 mos now and has not come into heat yet.

[Traci]

How do you know she hasn't been in heat? Why isn't she spayed???

[Tanya32]

She is chocolate lab and we are considering having one litter before she is spayed. I had a cocker spaniel when I was a kid and she was never spayed and never got pregnant. I remember what heat looks like I just can't remember how long it lasts.

If I am going to get a lecture. I am sorry I asked the question in the first place.

[lmd]

Maybe you could take her to the vet every 5 days. The vet can do a vaginal smear and determine whether she is safe from a surprise breeding. She may have already been in heat if you are not able to identify the situation. Only good vet visits/tests will keep your dog safe.

[E's]

If your lab is AKC (or Canadian equivalent of AKC - sorry, I don't know atm what that is and haven't time to google it ) perhaps you should be in touch with her breeder, and/or the person(s) from whom you got her... and begin formal negotiations re the proposed one litter of pups. Such discussion plus being in touch with a reliable vet could protect you - legally as well as sentimentally - in case of unwanted impregnation.

Purebred dogs I owned before my German shepherd `Eowyn were male Dalmatians, back in the day when such were rarely neutered. But my companion dog Winnie was a "von Rombach" shepherd and I remember part of the verbal agreement with the owner of her parents was that I would have her spayed (gorgeous example of her breed that she was) so that the main line could be protected. I don't regret this: `Eowyn fulfilled her life's job beautifully. My point is, every case is different: if you possess the means and the ability to let your chocolate lab bear a litter, do so and don't allow yourself to be bullied - just continue as you obviously have done, in being a responsible pet owner.

[slvrwhispr]

Please understand that if you do get a lecture, it's only because we care and want to make sure that you are well informed. It isn't meant to belittle or demean you, and we mean no harm. We're just a group of animal lovers who want to make sure that the animals are safe, healthy, and loved, and that their owners are educated on the facts about the pets they choose to have.