First season

A dog's first season or heat usually occurs around 6 months old but can be earlier in toy breeds and as late as 18 months in giant breeds. The heat lasts around 3 weeks but can be as short as 2, or as long as 4 weeks.

Signs that your bitch has come into season include a swollen, red or enlarged vulva, blood-tinged vaginal discharge, increased vocalisation, arching of the back, increased urination, cleaning herself more frequently, mounting other dogs or furniture, change in behaviour to other dogs (more or less friendly) and enlarged mammary glands.

The amount of bloody discharge varies considerably - in some it is barely noticeable whereas others can have a significant amount, special nappies can be used in these cases. All these symptoms disappear on completion of the season.

You should be vigilant of entire male dogs and should avoid walking your butch in areas where dogs are off the lead. Walk your dog on a lead and aim for less busy times of the day. If you have an entire male in the home, it would be advisable to send him to stay with friends or family or kennels as both the bitch and male dog will become anxious and frenzied due to the effect of their reproductive hormones. Separating them with a simple child gate will not be sufficient.

Females can become pregnant at their first season, but this is not advised as complications are more likely due to the lack of maturity both physically and emotionally.

Most dogs will cycle every 6 months but if you don’t want to breed from your bitch it is generally advised to spay them. This operation involves removing the ovaries and uterus and is most safely done 2/3 months after a season when the uterine blood supply is at its lowest.