Female heat cycle
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:21 pm
what are some signs to look for when a female is coming into heat? How long does the heat cycle last?
The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks on average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more).
Average times between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages.
The first part of heat you will notice bleeding under her tail from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the kennel. During this period females will not allow the males to breed with them although the males will be very persistent.
The second part or estrus is the time in which the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time.
As the female starts to go out of heat, she will be less willing to breed.
