On heat

[horseylady]

I think my younger curly may finally be coming into season. Maybe. She's 15 months old and not had one yet.

Today a neutered male dog tried to mount her. Apparently the last time he did it was just before another girl came into season. I was very thankful he was neutered. She's showing no signs of starting!!

So, for now, the poor dogs are stuck to road walking and no off leading.

[digerd]

When she is ovulating and ready, her vulva will be swollen and when other dogs - even female -sniff and lick there, she will move her tail over to one side to provide access.
My 2 females enjoyed 'humping' each other.
They also, before that, lick the 'bleeding' clean, which subsides at ovulation time.

[DeepRedBetty]

Sounds like her season to me.

[horseylady]

Still nothing? Nothing swollen my other dog not interested in her. We saw the same male dog yesterday and he just played then ignored her? She's nearly 16months old and still not had a season? The vet said 'oh she will it will have been silent' but I've never heard of this?!

[digerd]

Yes, very young sexually mature dogs' first season or 2nd can be unnoticable. The first sign is intensive licking there. Are you having her spayed 3 months after her season?

[horseylady]

That's the plan but she's not licking? She's showing no signs really other than this dog playing then mounting her. But yesterday he didn't do it.

The vets won't spay her until I know when she's between seasons!!!! Or three months after her last season.

It's a waiting game.

[digerd]

Horsey
Thought that was the reason.
My 2 year-old I have owned for 7 weeks now, was supposed to have her season on 27th January and she was licking on 6th and still is???
Normally, when they are ready - I have bred Westies in Germany- she will turn her tail sideways in an arc when ovulating, if even a female licks her there, and if I used to scratch her back infront of her tail. They also push their backside out to any dog that approaches, when they are older.

I too want this dog spayed, so will have it done beginning of April.
They are mature at 9 months, assuming her first unseen season was at 10 months, then she is due now. But it may well not be obvious.
Dab her with a white piece of toilet paper to see if there is a red/pink stain, but she should start licking herself first.

[digerd]

Just worked out that , if I was correctly told, then my dog had her last season at 16 months, which is the usual.

[horseylady]

Ok well she's coming up to 16 months. Nothing yet so will keep a close eye on her!!

[horseylady]

Ps thanks!! My other dog was much easier!!

[digerd]

Just had another thought.
When that dog tried to mount her , what did she do? Stand still, sit down, try to get away from him.
It is possible she has already had it, if her 1st was at 9 months.

[horseylady]

She cried and ran off. Then went very submissive. She wasn't happy about it!! Think it totally shocked her as she's never been in that situation before!! Usually they just run round playing chase!!

[Owllady]

when do they usually have their first season?

I must admit although I have always kept bitches, we used to spay them soon after we had them and the advice has now changed on this I gather?

[horseylady]

Usually between 6 and months. This one still hasn't had a visible one yet!! She's 16 months in a couple of weeks.

[horseylady]

6 and 9!!! Advise is the spay three months after the season so they are in between cycles to reduce the risk of bleeding. Although they will make an exception with dogs of unknown history do rescues etc. but we've had her since 10 weeks!!

[horseylady]

Finally started!!!! That was longest wait ever!!!

Bless her she's so clean.z

[Whippoorwhill]

Oh finally! That much be such a relief for you. Glad she's clean so far. My curly girls were horribly drippy and had to be confined to the kitchen. :). Still got that to come with new pup. She's only 7 months so hopefully a while yet.