Golden Retriever's first season

[MrsChatalot]

When is a golden retriever bitch likely to have her first season and is it likely to be barely noticeable or will I be getting all the carpets shampooed! We were told by the breeder that 9-12 months was usual for their first season and we'll be getting our bitch spayed after that. All info and advice appreciated. Thanks

Not a Golden, but our black lab bitch (so similar adult size, which I think indicates similar maturing rate?) had her first season at 11 months old. We did confine her to the kitchen, behind a baby gate, and so any mess was easy to clean (tiny spots) but I'm not too sure how much mess was "cleaned up" by her as soon as she made it, if you see what I mean?

One of our bitches came into season with high drama and tears at about 9 months old - I knew something was coming because she got really clingy for about a week before there were visible signs. She was really clean, and I didn't see a single spot around the house.

Another bitch came into season at about 12 months, with quite a lot of drips - eventually we put her in child's knickers with a hole cut in the bottom for her tail. She didn't do the drama - she was very chilled about it. You can buy special dog drip catchers for seasons, but I decided a multipack of tescos finest drawers would be just as good.

You can't miss it when it does arrive, even if there's no blood to speak of; their bits get enormous - the change is immense.

My SBT had her first season at 6 months, like Daisy says the change is very noticable, to the point that someone mistook her for a male! She licked herself alot before the bleeding started, and then all the way through.

She dripped alot for about 3 weeks, I tried the pants thing but she managed to get them off!

I tried to keep her in the kitchen as much as I could, and put a towel down for her to lay on when she came in the lounge.

I have found that Goldens get their first season between 6-12 months, but most commonly 7-10 months. It depends on the line and if the breeder is a good and well established one it could well be that her line are known for having lateish first seasons.

You'll know when she is going to come into season as her teats will get enarged and her vulva will become swollen. If there is any change in her behaviour (eg. she becomes clingy) I would be very matter of fact about it and give her more to do, so throwing a ball in the garden, lots of training, teach her some tricks etc. I don't walk my bitches when in season as there are too many off lead dogs about here, but if you do decide to walk her you should walk her in areas where there are unlikely to be other dogs and it's absolutely essential to keep her on a lead at all times.

First seasons's aren't usually that messy. I would probaby avoid putting pants or anything on her to let the air get to her.

Thanks very much everyone. We live in town and there are a lot of dogs around so I'll be extra vigilent to avoid finding out she's in season when we have a pack of males following us!