First dog heat, or estrus
Written by AniMed.org
It will no doubt be easy to tell when your young female dog reaches sexual maturity and goes into her first estrus, or heat cycle. This usually occurs when an unspayed female dog is six to ten months old, and signals that your pet is ready to look for a mate.
How long are dogs in heat?
An unspayed female dog usually goes into heat twice yearly for three weeks at a time. Her vulva will become swollen, and there will be a clear, then bloody discharge. Over a period of about ten days, the flow will increase and then gradually diminish. While in their estrus cycle, female dogs may seem nervous, easily distracted and more alert. They may urinate more frequently than usual. Soon after the discharge has stopped, the female begins to ovulate. Dogs typically have an estrus cycle every six months, although there are some breed and individual variations.
When to spay and neuter
Considering the millions of animals euthanized at shelters annually, it is irresponsible to let your pet mate with the opposite sex when there already are too many animals and not enough homes. Contrary to what some people believe, there are no health benefits in allowing your dog to have a litter before she is spayed. In fact, the rigors of giving birth and raising a litter definitely take a toll on a female dog, and can lead to premature aging and, in some cases, death. Humane organizations recommend spaying or neutering your dog as early as 2 months, if possible.
