It is properly called estrous cycle or a time when they could become pregnant. While a puppy may be impregnated during her first cycle, it is not ideal for one who is only in her puberty stage to be pregnant considering that her health and breed quality may be affected.
At less than eighteen months old, she is not yet physically mature and mentally ready to bear offspring. Most of all, pregnancy complications at this young age can be life threatening.
Frequency and duration of heat
The first heat can start when the dog is about six months old although this is case-to-case basis as some pups develop earlier and some can come in season as late as after a year. However, if she does not come in heat after 14 months you should get her checked to the vet.
The frequency also varies but the average is six months. Just like humans we can talk about frequency of cycle in extreme cases and so just how often the dog have their cycles vary greatly dog to dog. Meanwhile, the duration or the heat itself can last for 21 days or three weeks, give or take one week.
The physical signs
At this time when the female dog feels more fertile, male dogs would linger around your house. You can take this as a sign of heat, or, the fact that her vulva swells and she urinates more frequently.
However, the symptoms could be very unnoticeable so you might just have to prepare for the spotting or bleeding, which by the way should not be compared to that of human menstrual bleeding. If the bleeding is heavy or if you just do not want the mess, it creates, you may purchase dog diapers and garments at the local pet shop.
A dog’s fertile period approximately begins 9 to ten days from the onset of heat and lasts about one week. The onset of her fertility period may likely vary after her first estrous cycle.
This period when she is most fertile is the time when she is most receptive to males having intercourse with her, although it is not uncommon for some dogs to allow males mounting her at any time of her cycle due to high levels of progesterone in her body, or it could be just nature calling.
It is typical to be in heat twice in a year so watch out when your female puppy catches her first cycle. Watch out for puppy-in-heat symptoms and monitor the days for you to look out for her fertile period. Days 11 to 15 of her cycle could be her peak period to mate. She may normally not be happy with males mounting her at any other time so choose wisely for your lady.