Symptoms of the first heat in a female dog

When you have a pet, knowing its basic needs and its biological processes is essential to be able to provide it with the necessary care and well-being.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
14 March 2023 Tuesday 06:16
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Symptoms of the first heat in a female dog

When you have a pet, knowing its basic needs and its biological processes is essential to be able to provide it with the necessary care and well-being. Therefore, if you have a female dog at home, you should know that her heat is an important part of her nature.

The first heat in a female puppy marks her entry into sexual maturity, so she is already physically prepared to reproduce. Therefore, she will show more interest in male dogs and will be mounted as soon as the opportunity arises. However, it is not advisable for her to mate in the first heat, as she will still take a while to fully develop.

In any case, heat involves a series of physical changes and also behavioral changes. It is necessary to be informed and remain alert to avoid complications or unwanted pregnancies.

The appearance of the first heat depends on genetic factors and also on the breed and size of the bitch. In those of a small breed, it usually appears between six and 12 months. For those of medium or large size, it can occur between seven and 13 months of life. While the giant breed bitches will attend their first heat between 16 and 24 months of life.

The usual thing once the first heat appears is for it to appear every six months, although there are dogs that experience it more frequently and others only have one a year. Except for sterilized bitches, which are not in heat.

The duration of a bitch's heat also varies and is divided into different phases. The first, called proestrus, marks the beginning of heat and lasts for nine days. Heat itself follows, when the bitch is fertile for five to nine days. In the right-handed, the bitch stops being interested in males and the anestrous phase marks the end of the heat.