Information Please about heat cycle!! (England, UK)

[MaNHaTToN]

Hello everyone - New to this forum! Let's get started....
I have a bitch Rottweiler - She is 20 months young - I have had her since 7 months - I took her off an associates hands as he realised that he couldn't handle her (aswell as having a male Alsation!) I do believe that she was caged since puppy-hood as he has 5 kids! And everytime I went to see her she was caged! I was told by him she was in a cage because she was in season - A bitch doesn't stay in season for 4 months does shes?!?! Obviously she was purchased as a pup then grew into a big girl that they just coudn't handle anymore! Irresponsible I know! I did do alot of Internet research & reading on Rottweilers about 6 weeks before I was intially asked if I could re-home her - As far as I'm aware she has never been a visious bitch although she did used to growl abit when the owners used to go near her cage to let her out: i witnessed this on several occassions! I don't know why but when I went near the cage her ears went back, her lil tail went mad, there was no growling & when I let her out she was all over me like a giant teddy with a HUGE tongue, licking me to death! - I've had her for 13 months, her temperament is un-believeably dosile now! - She IS the most loving, placid Rottweiler I have ever met - Not ONCE has she tried biting me or confronted me in anyway - IAll she wants is food, excersise & lots of cuddles & belly rubs! like to think that I helped her out in her time of need & she knows this which is why she gives me maximum respect & for this she gets mine - I never under-estimate her still! She has been taken to the vets every 3 months since I've had her, been regulary checked, wormed etc. The vet said she does have a very mild case of IBS - I used to give her dry 100% fish pieces but this upset her stomach & she would vomit it back up so I stopped that. I also used to mix rice with her biscuits & meat but I stopped that also & now she hasn't been sick due to food! I used to take her out in the car with me when I went places where she could come with me, but her weak stomach couldn't handle that also & she vomits syliva 5 minutes after the journey, only a little but enough to make me feel bad so now she only comes with me if it's neccessary!

The reason for a little background on her is she come into season for the 1st time since I've had her about a week ago (I only knew this because of the lil blood droplets!) I don't have any intention of breeding her but I would like abit of info just so I know the facts - Is this normal that she has only been in season once since I've had her (13 months) ?? How long will she remain in season?? I keep her on a close lead everytime I excersise her, but when would she be most likely to concieve?? Will I only be able to tell she's in season by the blood?? She has always been a "sniffer" ( she sniffs EVERYTHING!) but obviously she is sniffing a bit more (if that's possible) & she's started "cockin'" her back leg to squirt on tall grass, bushes, etc - Should I allow her to do this?? I obviously know she is leaving her scent. I don't want to get her spayed as I'd always like to know she could have pups if I wanted her to, but as I said that's not my intention! I never really done alot of research into breeding, seasons, etc, but the time is here where she's in season & I'd just like to all the facts about my girl - Factual information would be much appreciated & if you feel you could give me more worth while information about bitch Rottweilers I am thanking you in advance!
Gary

[AngelBunny]

I defer to members who breed to address the nuts and bolts issues of your question--how often she'll come into heat, how long it lasts, what to expect, et al.

But I do have suggestions for your I don't want to get her spayed as I'd always like to know she could have pups if I wanted her to, but as I said that's not my intention! comment.

While you're waiting for those with direct knowledge of intact bitches to weigh in, start reading thru the postings here in Breeding to find out what real, bona fide COE breeders do and the steps they take before they breed.

Then hop over to Rescue to find out about BYBs.

Breeding is infinitely more than just having a fertile dog.

[brunie's mom]

Since this bitch comes from a lousy beginning...I would assume that she comes from a BYB breeder. Unless you are showing her in conformation or obedience...and she has been proven a champion...then please have her spayed...she will be much healthier in the long run, and you will not have to worry about messy heats, and unwanted pregnancies.

Gina

[MaNHaTToN]

Whilst I appreciate your comments & suggestions, I still havn't had any information on the questions I asked - This is the foremost reason I posted the original thread - Thanks

[Donaldson]

Hi there - firstly welcome to the forum and secondly well done for rescuing your sweet girl

As for your question - GENERALLY SPEAKING bitches come into season every 6 months, although this can vary. Could this be her first season in 13 months? Unlikely - yes; Impossible - no!
A season usually lasts between 3-4 weeks, when you will expect to see some "spotting" (blood loss), this can tail off, become pale/watery, after a couple of weeks (or not - again they are individuals) You should also notice that the vulva enlarges and becomes hardened. Your bitch may go off her food and seem a little more reserved or less interested in hard exercise. I think they are fertile between the 7th and 10th day (although I am no expert) and as one breeder put it "she is fertile when she receives a male" Unfortunately I don't think that it is an exact science And this is why the issue of breeding is best left to those people who dedicate their lives to it!!

You have done a wonderful thing in taking her from your friends, who clearly didn't understand her or appreciate her potential. If I were you, once she has finished this season I would take her along to the vet and discuss speying - it really is in her best interests healthwise. In the UK they like to spey 3 months after a season, which would make her about 2 years old which is a very good age have the op as they are fully grown/mature.

[MaNHaTToN]

Thanks for your information Donaldson - I've done alot of research since posting that thread - Thanks again!

[Valentine]

Please please do not take this as being rude (it's hard to express feelings and emotions over the net ya know?)

But since you do not know who her parents are, or what happened to her the previous 6 months before you adopted her you should just have her spayed. What if her parents had hip dysplasia? OR quite possibly a hereditary disease such as "Demodex" or the tons of other hereditary illnesses and conditions that might be in her bloodline? I would suggest taking the next two years to study breeding, go to shows, go to obedience trials and learn from the ethical breeders there how to go about this properly. THEN after you know for sure that you want to breed, get yourself a nice show prospect puppy from a COE, reputable breeder, who shows their breeding stock, health tests and has multiple titles before and after the dam and sire's names.

Trust me, it will feel good knowing that you are doing this correctly and when your first litter of well planned puppies arrives, your hard work will pay off. If you just jump into it with any old bitch that hasn't been tested or even seen a dog show, the results could be disastrous for both mother and puppies.

[MaNHaTToN]

Thanks for you comments! I know what you mean about writing/texting - You just can't see or feel the emotion :-)

I did say in my original thread (I think!) that she has regular blood tests & checked evertime I take her to the vet for hip dysplasia & other diseases - It cost me an arm N a leg but she's worth every penny! & it gives me a sound piece of mind! I have also seen & do see her mum & dad regularly - Even before I got her I went round their houses as many times as I saw my girl! To say that her mum & dads owners take car of their 2 Rotts is an under-statement!! The dad is 4 & years & the mum is 3 years (plus a few months on each now!) The owners of my girls mum & dad are good friends of mine so I have no doubt that they are 4real - & it shows by looking at their Rotts!! They also told me that they believed AND checked my girls original owners to make sure they were suitable for my girl - He was a single dad with a son, had a great big house, had plenty of time on his hand, had a proven knowledge of looking after dogs & that was why they felt he would be a suitable owner - HOWEVER, things changed - OUT OF THE BLUE he met a woman that had 4 kids, sold his house & moved into her 4 bedroom house - With my girl!! This, I believe, is when things went downhill & they couldn't cope with my girl - I'm just glad I was there to rescue her otherwise who knows what would have happend or what home she went to!! I am also in touch with two of my girls brother & sister owners - This, & all the above reasons, is why I know that she is an excellent breed AND specimen!!
I have wrote another essay! WHOOOOPS!
Thanks for your continued advice; I appreciate it whatever way you mean it! I'm the one who makes the decisions at the end of the day & my best interests are for my girl, that's it. I'm sure you will all be able to feel this in my writing & WHAT I have wrote also.

[TrinaJ]

Well done on rescuing your girl!!! I cant help you with the breeding questions, but i can possibly help on the car sickness issue......I have heard ginger biscuits are good for dogs with car sickness. I used to have to stop every 50km (ummmm 32 miles) or my Magnum would get car sick!!!

My new pup also has car sickness (has only been in the car twice and was sick 3 times when we collected her from the breeder, and once when i took her to the vet for her vaccination). I have purchased a packed of ginger biscuits and will try this before our next trip.

[RottsNScotts]

So you are having her hips x-rayed every vet visit to check for hip dysplasia???? Or the vet is just checking her for soundness? You should know that both hip and elbow dysplasia can only be diagnosed by x-ray; ethical breeders have them certified after age 2 years.

None of what you related has anything to do with your girl being an excellent specimen of the breed although it clearly shows how much her parents' owners love their dogs and how much you love your girl - all good things but that does not determine who is worthy of being bred. In fact, if you read some of the other threads in breeding about the nightmares and close calls some have had recently with their pregnant and whelping girls, one might think that breeding would be the LAST thing anyone would think of doing with a beloved girlie!

We believe that dogs prove themselves worthy of being bred by being evaluated by an impartial authority and/or (I happen to believe in "and") by proving themselves in a working/performance venue and having all their health clearances done.

[Shelby427]

I agree, although she sounds like a fantastic girl, you'll need to show her, title her and get health clearances on her before you think about breeding. Go to shows in your area and meet up and speak with COE breeders, learn from them, let them be your mentor, think about getting a show quality puppy from a COE breeder, show said puppy/dog, get titles on her, at 2 years, get her hips/elbows checked, make sure you get her eyes and heart checked too, THEN breed her.