How old for first heat and what to look for.

[Mary Bouchard]

Our female is 5 months and our vet when asked told us they start heats around 6 months.

What are the warning signs of heat and what should we be looking for?

[Sharon Marples]

I'm surprised that your breeder has not given you all of this information, especially after the purchase of a intact female.

She could/should come into her first season at any time between 5 - 10 months. The most obvious signs will be a red discharge. She will also spend more time cleaning herself.

I don't know what your intentions are for this puppy, but if you are not going to show the puppy in breed conformation, why not spay her now and not have the hassle of her heat cycle? It is healthier for her to be spayed and prevents the possibility of any accidental breeding. You can still show her in obedience, agility and all the other fun activities if she is spayed.

If you are going to show her, make sure that she is kept away from all males for a period of at least 23 days after you see the first sign of any blood from her. And don't be surprised if she tries to get at the males as much as they may try to get to her. Mother Nature makes them pretty devious during their heat cycles.

Please keep her confined at all times when she is in season.

[Luvs]

Akasha came in not long after she turned 9 months old. I had a false alarm a couple of weeks earlier and I thought she was coming in when she wasn't (it has been a long time since I have had a female who wasn't spayed), so we got a little practice in for when she actually came in;) She is currently in and should be going out soon. It has been 23 days and it sure seems like FOREVER!

It is such a pain having to keep everyone separate and keeping her confined to the house. Everyone is going bonkers, me included! If I was not showing her I would NOT hesitate to get her spayed!

[Mattweiser]

its kinda funny, for all my "anti-neutering" discussions.. I will spay a bitch in a heartbeat... ;)

and it is not a guy-danglies thing, it is a I don't want ruined carpet thing..... intact males don't go into heat.. if they did, I would probably not have an intact male in my house (I have 3) ;)

[laurlitt]

Maddie went in at 8.5 months and then her 2nd one followed 6 months later (NOW!).