First heat of a female dog: how to recognize him from his behavior? Sooner or later, all the owners of a dog ask themselves that, when they are grappling with the passage of their bitch into adulthood, they ask themselves a thousand questions on how to deal with this period of change and transformation.
Meanwhile, it is good to know that the behavior of the house dog changes considerably with the first heat because – in these days – we will see her a little more restless and, in all probability, a little more disobedient than usual. An attitude which, obviously, will not go unnoticed in the eyes of the most attentive two-legged, but which must be faced with tranquility, avoiding scolding and punishments.
In addition to these behavioral changes, however, there are also obvious physical symptoms that it is good to know and which are clearer when you know how the domestic dog’s reproductive cycle works.
How long does a female dog’s first heat last?
In addition to modifying habitual behaviors, there are, as we said, clear ones Female dog first heat symptoms.
The proestrus phase
In the first phase, the initial one, which is called proestrus, and lasts nine days on average, observing the area of the vulva you will notice a substantial increase in size.
In this phase the blood loss of the female dog – bright red – will be more abundant and the bitch will discourage the approaches of the male dogs.
The stage of estrus
In the period of estrus (which is commonly defined as the period of actual heat) the losses instead become clearer, until they take on pinkish hues, and the female dog shows a certain interest in male dogs which – unlike what happens in the first days – they will be encouraged by her to “come forward”.
This is the period (whose duration also varies a lot in the first heats up to assuming a more or less fixed duration at each following cycle, approximately in the period between 2 and 6 years, in which it is necessary to be careful of unwanted pregnancies of females or take matters into your own hands if you want a mate.
The right-handed phase
The third phase, therefore, is called diestro and is easily recognizable because the female dog, after the period of extreme availability towards the attentions of the males, shows a decidedly lesser interest in the other dogs and they too, given that the characteristic smell has diminished, ignore her more.
The anestrus phase
The anestrus, which represents the return to normality and precedes the subsequent proestrus, lasts on average between four and five months and, in this phase, there are neither physical symptoms nor particular behaviors of the female dog.
First heat of a female dog: at how many months?
Once the characteristic symptomatology of the different phases has been defined, it is good to ask yourself when the heat of the female dog appears for the first time.
This question does not have a single answer since – just like the length of the individual periods of the dog’s reproductive cycle – it depends on various factors.
The size of the dog
The most important is linked to the size of the bitch because it is good to remember that small dogs tend to have their first heat earlier (approximately around 6 months, one year of life) than their medium or large sized dogs which, instead , reach sexual maturity (and therefore face heat for the first time) between nine and eighteen months.
Genetics
Even the age of the first heat of our puppy’s mother and grandmother have an influence, as does the belonging to a breed more or less selected by man.
In fact, the more “primitive” dogs (whose current standard, that is, has been less influenced by the intervention of man) normally go into heat only once a year, while the more “modified” dogs by man do not they have two.
First heat of a female dog: behaviour
During heat, a female dog’s behavior can change depending on the animal’s personality. Listed below are some of the behaviors you may observe in your dog:
- Increased urinary frequency;
- Agitation and restlessness;
- Changes in appetite;
- Genital licking;
- It could seek more attention from its owners.
It is important to note that during the heat, the female dog is especially vulnerable to infections and parasites, so you need to pay more attention to his personal hygiene and get regular checks at the vet. Also, if breeding is not desired, it is important to take steps to prevent mating.
How to deal with the first heat of the dog?
An important tip is to keep calm during the period of heat because it is an absolutely normal phase in the life of our dog which, it should be remembered, does not cause her any pain and which, due to the intervention of hormones, could change her behavior, but only temporarily .
Secondly, then, it is good – at least in the real and proper phase of estrus – to try to avoid public parks and gardens high rate of male dogs and remember to always keep our female in heat at leash to be able to dodge more easily progress.