German Shepherd's heat: how long does it last?

The working qualities and high intelligence of German Shepherds are just a few of the reasons for the continued popularity of this breed.

Negative reviews about these dogs are rare, but some dog breeders, when deciding to purchase a puppy, are not aware of the labor-intensive process of caring for him.

Especially when it comes to a bitch in heat, pregnancy and childbirth.

The essence of the process in the body

Estrus is one of the most important stages in a dog’s life, marking the beginning of puberty..

Changes in the dog's behavior during this period are due to changes occurring in its body. At this time, the maturation of eggs occurs in the dog’s genitals and the body is completely ready for fertilization and bearing offspring.

Keep in mind

By recording information about the first heat, the owner will be able to find out when the next one will begin. Some dog breeders keep diaries. If the interval between discharges is less than five or more than 10 months, then the animal must be shown to a veterinarian.

During heat, the animal becomes uncontrollable. During this period, lock your pet so that it does not run away. Otherwise, mating with different males may occur.

To keep the offspring healthy, it is better to breed an animal after 3 years of life. The dog's body will form. A puppy from such a female will be healthier.

The German Shepherd breed requires routine vaccinations. Vaccination should be carried out one month before estrus. A week before estrus, it is advisable to cleanse the body of parasites. Then the bitch will give birth to uninfected puppies.

Often dog breeders get females for breeding offspring. Breeding purebred puppies is profitable. Caring for female shepherd dogs is more difficult than caring for male dogs.

At what age does the first heat start?

The first estrus occurs simultaneously with the replacement of milk teeth with molars - at the age of 6 months to 10 months .

At this time, the dog is formally ready to give birth to offspring, but pregnancy will place too much stress on fragile bones and muscles, so mating should be postponed.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

In order to maintain good health of the dog and get a litter of puppies without developmental deviations, you should not breed a bitch under 1.5-2 years old. In addition, you cannot neglect vaccination and deworming of the dog and generally breed an unhealthy dog ​​- all the diseases the bitch has will be passed on to the puppies, and as a result, the entire litter will have some pathologies or even die immediately after birth.

Age at which a German Shepherd goes into heat

German Shepherds of both sexes develop quite slowly. The period of development from a puppy to a young dog, and then to an adult dog, takes about three years. Only after reaching the third year of life can a dog be called an adult.

Important! Puberty begins in a dog immediately after the change of milk teeth. As soon as the owner noted that small milk teeth were replaced by strong molars, we can talk about the period of adolescence and the beginning of puberty.

As a rule, this period falls between 6 and 10 months of the puppy’s life. Some dogs develop a little faster, others slower. There is no need to rush into mating a female immediately after the first heat arrives. The presence of white discharge, which occurs on average at 6–8 months, does not yet indicate the presence of a stable psychological state of the pet to become a mother. At this time, the girl is still considered a puppy and is not ready to become a mother and fully perform her functions.

Experts advise waiting until the third heat. It usually starts around 3 years of age. At this time, the dog is already strong, resistant to new changes in its life, with a well-formed psyche. She will make an excellent mother and will be ready to fulfill all the responsibilities of motherhood.

Main features

In order not to miss the moment of the onset of estrus and to prepare for the moment of the first discharge, it is necessary to pay attention to factors indicating the approach of the period of sexual activity.

As a rule, before the onset of estrus there is:

• extraordinary molting;
• loop swelling;
• frequent and most often unconscious urination, the purpose of which is to attract the attention of male dogs;
• showing special interest from male dogs;
• changes in character and behavior, refusal to follow commands and disobedience;
• increased activity and energy.

All these signs are not expressed too clearly and are most often noticeable only to experienced breeders.

Beginning dog breeders, in order to make sure of the assumptions regarding the imminent estrus, should daily blot the pet’s loop with a napkin - if the discharge is pink, it means that the estrus has occurred.

Signs of heat

How can you tell if your dog is going into heat? It is very important to pay attention to key points in time. This way, you will understand when to prepare for your four-legged friend's first discharge. The first is the change of teeth. At this stage it is already worth taking a closer look at the pet. But among the specific factors indicating the approach of the first heat, the following can be identified:

• playful mood, excessive activity and disobedience. If your pet is generally calm and balanced, but suddenly begins to tirelessly rush around the territory, not paying attention to your commands, it is quite possible that this is one of the signs signaling the approach of the first heat;
• molt. If it began “unplanned,” this also indicates the onset of puberty;
• increased interest of males in your bitch. Follow her on a walk. If your pet is constantly being pestered by other dogs, you have no doubt that estrus will soon begin;
• frequent urination. The bitch does this unconsciously, and the main goal is to attract the attention of male dogs to her person;
• loop increase.

Similar article: How long do German Shepherds live at home?

Estrus in a German Shepherd dog is a predictable phenomenon if you pay attention to the basic points in time.

Duration and frequency

How long the estrus will last depends on the individual characteristics of the dog’s body.

On average, the duration of this period is 20-22 days, while an increase in the period to 1 month in German shepherds is not a deviation.

Estrus is a cyclical process in a dog’s body, repeating every 6-7 months, in some cases the interval can be 5-10 months.

In young dogs, some disruptions in frequency are possible, since a regular cycle is established only after the end of the 3rd heat.

A German Shepherd needs to be seen by a veterinarian if less than 5 or more than 10 months have passed between two heats..

Stages of the German Shepherd's reproductive cycle

The whole process is divided into 4 stages, each of which differs from the other in behavior and physiological characteristics. Pauses between each stage can reach 6–7 months. Only after the dog has endured 3 periods of estrus does the cycle stabilize. In any case, you need to be observed by a veterinarian all this time so that he can detect possible abnormalities. For example, there were cases when the heat began early, and after 5 months the next one appeared. Sometimes pauses can be as long as 10 months, which is also not the norm. The reproductive cycle of a dog consists of the following interconnected stages:

• proestrus;
• estrus;
• metestrus;
• anestrus.

During this period, estrus continues. If any problems arise, then you should contact your veterinarian so that he can explain exactly how long the shepherd’s estrus lasts and what the features of each period are.

Proestrus, or precursor, will last no longer than 10 days, during which signs such as:

1. The vulva swells, which is associated with blood flow to the genitals.
2. Bloody discharge appears.
3. The dog flirts with males, although she is not yet ready for mating. But this creates the conditions for this to happen in the future. Otherwise, the female will not allow male dogs to approach her, she will become capricious and disobey.

Estrus lasts from 1 to 2 days, when real sexual readiness for conception occurs. Therefore, German Shepherds can be mated during this period. This period differs in that the dog does not resist mating. Therefore, her pelvis can be raised and her tail held back. If you touch the lower back, the female will sit down and put her tail back. There will not be as much discharge as before, or it may stop altogether. The color of the discharge of the second stage will be different from the first, it becomes pale pink. Breeders recommend locking the dog in an enclosure and walking it only on a leash.

Metestrus lasts 2–3 days, during which time the female dog begins to gradually calm down.

This is due to the fact that the estrus stops. At the same time, the body begins to release progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, the presence of which will not depend on whether pregnancy has occurred or not. Progesterone will be produced in large quantities, which provokes the onset of a false pregnancy. The symptoms go away on their own after a certain time. After metestrus comes the anestrus phase, which lasts longer, with certain signs being longer lasting. During this period, sexual rest occurs, the duration of which is 100–150 days.

How is it going?

The German Shepherd comes into heat in four stages.:

• Proestrus . This period lasts a maximum of 10 days and is characterized by swelling of the loop, caused by blood flow to the genitals, and bloody discharge. At this time, changes in the dog’s behavior are observed - increased playfulness, attention to individuals of the opposite sex, and sometimes disobedience.
• Estrus . The duration of this phase is 1-2 days. The amount of discharge is significantly reduced, and it becomes pale pink. The dog is ready for mating and does not resist it - it raises its tail and pelvis. To avoid unplanned mating and unwanted pregnancy, the bitch should only be walked on a leash during this period.
• Metestrus . The duration of this stage is 2-3 days. The physiological changes occurring in the bitch’s body are subsiding, and the dog is becoming calmer. Regardless of whether fertilization has occurred or not, progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, is produced at this time. That is why a false pregnancy can occur, the manifestations of which go away on their own.
• Anestrus . This is the time period between estrus, lasting on average 100-150 days. During this period, the bitch is in a state of sexual rest, pregnancy is impossible.

All periods of the reproductive cycle have distinctive features and characteristics that every German Shepherd owner needs to know about in order to avoid the appearance of unwanted offspring or, conversely, achieve a positive mating result.

Sexual cycle in shepherd dogs

In general, the sexual cycle can be divided into four stages:

Proestrus. Duration approximately ten days.

Also called the forerunner. At this moment, the dog shows the first signs of estrus. Blood rushes to the genitals, then the loop swells, and then bloody discharge follows. The bitch has not yet reached the day of ovulation and is not ready for mating, but this does not prevent her from showing attention to representatives of the opposite sex. She just doesn’t let them get close to her.

Estrus. Lasts 1-2 days.

At this stage, ovulation occurs and the dog is ready to mate. She raises her tail and pelvis, which indicates her desire for mating. If you touch the dog’s lower back, it begins to squat, and at this moment puts its tail down. At this moment, the dog’s owner may notice that the discharge has completely stopped or has become pale pink in color.

At such moments, it is recommended to keep the dog in a box and only take the dog on a leash during walks.

Metestrus. Stops after 2-3 days.

Now the heat is ending, and the dog becomes calm. At this moment, progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, is produced. Whether fertilization occurred or not does not matter here. You need to be prepared for signs of a false pregnancy, but they will go away on their own.

Anestrus. Duration 100-150 days.

Now comes the period of sexual rest. The shepherd returns to its usual emotional state.

When to schedule a trip to the vet.

Based on the specifics of the reproductive cycle in a shepherd, it is worth paying attention to some things in connection with which you should consult a veterinarian.

• A dog can be bred after the end of the third sexual cycle, namely by the third year. Following this, if the dog is one and a half years old and has not come into heat, then it is worth showing it to the veterinarian. There is a possibility that the dog has a hormonal imbalance that requires therapy. But it is also necessary to exclude infertility in a shepherd dog.
• Hormonal therapy is prescribed if after the first heat there is a delay that lasts several months. However, the dog is not pregnant.
• If the first estrus cycle was hidden, you should also contact a veterinarian. Such estrus is indicated by weak discharge or its absence. Or there was no attention from the cables. Even if the bitch was in the hunt. In this case, tests and examination will help identify the problem.

Features of care

Estrus, despite the naturalness of this process, is stress for the body of a German shepherd . Therefore, for the normal well-being of your pet, it is important to provide her with certain care and closely monitor her health and behavior.

First of all, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of unwanted pregnancy.

To do this, during the period of heat, the bitch should be locked in a house or enclosure, not giving her the opportunity to run away or the males to get to her, and the pet should only be walked on a leash.

IMPORTANT!

A month before the start of estrus, it is important to carry out routine vaccination, and 5-7 days before the first discharge appears, deworming.

This is done to produce healthy offspring and eliminates the possibility of intrauterine infection of puppies.

The bitch should not swim in open water and freeze - during estrus, all the animal’s organs are open, which significantly increases the risk of contracting infections.

Healthy puppies without hereditary developmental disorders can only be born to a well-groomed and healthy dog ​​that eats a balanced diet and has completed a course of vaccinations .

First heat and its features

In females, it occurs at the age of 6-10 (less often 12-14) months after the complete replacement of milk teeth with molars. Estrus should not be confused with full physiological maturity, which occurs by the age of three. Its duration is 20-22 days, while increasing the period to a month for representatives of this breed is not a violation.

The first heats of a German Shepherd are usually characterized by disruptions in the cycle, so you should not expect strict frequency. You need to be wary if it started before 5 months (or if more than 10 have passed) after the end of the previous one. In such cases, contact your veterinarian.

How do you know when a dog is ready for breeding?

Mating too early (in estrus 1 or 2) can lead to difficult childbirth and a difficult postpartum period. There is also a high probability of infertility, sagging backs and the appearance of puppies with congenital pathologies and developmental anomalies.

Due to the loss of flexibility of the hip joints, which increases the risk of a cesarean section, mating of adult dogs over 4 years of age can also be dangerous..

The most suitable age for breeding a German Shepherd is 1.5-2 years. At this age, the dog has stable hormonal levels, joints and muscles are formed and have the necessary flexibility.

In order for mating to give a positive result, it is necessary to correctly determine the most suitable day.

There are several methods for this:

• medical - the most reliable way to determine the optimal mating day, based on a laboratory test of a smear from the bitch’s vagina;
• visual - the dog shows its readiness for mating with its entire appearance: it sits down, raises its tail, its loop is enlarged, swollen nipples are visible, the discharge is scanty, light pink;
• mathematical - ovulation occurs 11-14 days after the onset of proestrus, 1-2 days before this is the most suitable time for mating.

Recording the dates of each heat in a separate notebook or notepad will help you most accurately determine the day of ovulation.

Sexual cycle

It is not enough to know how long the heat lasts. It is also necessary to understand the features of the sexual cycle, to understand into what stages this entire period is divided. Interestingly, in a German Shepherd dog, each estrus occurs in four main phases:

• proestrus. This is essentially the beginning of estrus. Within ten days, the dog may have the first slight discharge; it attracts the attention of males;
• estrus. This is the most problematic time for a dog breeder. During these few days, it is best to walk your pet on a leash; she begins the ovulation phase;
• metestrus. Within 2–3 days, the pet becomes calm and its discharge ends. Sometimes, even if the dog has not been bred, at the end of her heat, too much progesterone is released (another name for it is the pregnancy hormone). Because of this, you may notice manifestations of a false pregnancy. This is not scary, since the characteristic signs will go away on their own after some time;
• anestrus. Duration – 100–150 days. At this time, the dog becomes calm and balanced, there is no discharge.

Similar article: Rules for raising and training a German Shepherd

After estrus, caring for your four-legged friend will no longer be so burdensome for you.

How to choose a pair

The choice of a male for mating is one of the most important moments when breeding this breed, on which the quality of the litter depends.

It is necessary to study all the advantages and disadvantages of the applicant in order to exclude the possibility of mating with a male dog who has the same set of negative qualities as the female, and to become familiar with his pedigree.

In addition, since puppies most often inherit their external characteristics from their father, the male must be better in appearance than the female.

You should also, if possible, examine puppies previously born from this male - this will allow you to determine which qualities are inherited from him.

In search of a suitable male, you can contact the club where the female is a member or look for a partner via the Internet.

It is important to understand that the cost of mating depends on the quality, titles and compliance with the male breed standard .

How does the first heat proceed?

It depends on the character of your ward. Most often, your faithful friend turns into a restless and playful bully, often urinating to leave her scent to attract suitors. At this time, it is advisable to wear a muzzle and avoid large crowds of people.

There is increased irritability, which goes away after about a week. Swelling of the mammary glands occurs with the release of milk.

Your task is to track when exactly this happens, write down the date. This will allow you to calculate the next estrus. If it does not occur for a long time, this indicates that the food is poor in protein.

Do not scold or punish your pupil for minor mischief, now she needs your support and affection more. Stroke her more often, say kind words to her.

If the mating season of the German Shepherd goes well, healthy puppies will be born. The expectant mother will be quite capable of taking care of them under your strict guidance.

Why and how should you prepare your pet?

Only an absolutely healthy dog ​​can be allowed to breed.

Therefore, in addition to routine vaccination, treatment against helminths and external parasites, you should also collect cultures and submit a bacteriological analysis, the results of which can reveal the presence of viral herpes, streptococcus, staphylococcus or other hidden infections in the dog.

CAREFULLY!

These diseases can cause a deterioration in the shepherd's condition and lead to the death of the litter.

The time before and after mating is a period when the bitch especially needs a good, balanced diet; mating with a dog that is underweight or, conversely, overweight, should not be allowed .

Basic Rules

Mating of dogs should take place on the territory of the male dog - this way he feels more confident, calmer and is not distracted by unfamiliar surroundings and smells.

The following rules must be followed:

• Mating should be done in the morning, before the first meal;
• both dogs need to be walked, giving them the opportunity to empty their bladders and bowels;
• during the mating process there should be no extraneous, distracting sounds;
• if the female requires lubrication, you need to use cream or Vaseline;
• To prevent dogs' paws from slipping, the floor should be covered with carpet;
• It is necessary to hold the dogs by the collars.

After several cages, the so-called lock occurs, connecting the dogs to each other, and ejaculation.

Symptoms

In order not to miss this important event, pay attention to the animal’s habits. Most often, the beginning of the process is signaled by the following factors:

• the pet doesn't listen
• explores new places with playfulness,
• there is frequent urination - this is how she leaves her scent for males,
• swelling of the loop and papillae occurs,
• sometimes there is an extraordinary molt,
• interest in the female from the opposite sex increases.

If you find something like this, blot your perineum with a napkin. If there is pink discharge left on it, this will confirm your assumptions.

How does pregnancy go and how long does it last?

The average gestation period for German Shepherds is 60 days . At the same time, the minimum duration of gestation is 58 days, the maximum is 65.

Changes in the bitch’s body begin already in the 1st month after mating, although there are no external signs of this yet.

Immediately after mating, it is necessary to exclude all stressful situations for the dog and provide her with the most comfortable living conditions, otherwise a miscarriage may occur.

Clear and noticeable signs of pregnancy can be seen starting from 2 months:

• there is an enlargement of the nipples and mammary glands;
• the belly grows;
• The dog's body weight is actively increasing.

Upon reaching 50-55 days, you can notice a drooping of the abdomen, the appearance of slight discharge from the loop, and when you press on the nipple, drops of colostrum appear from it.

At 6-7 weeks of pregnancy, an experienced veterinarian can feel the puppies in the womb.

Duration of sexual activity

Physiological and psychological changes are due to belonging to the category of mammals. They last on average 20-22 days, maximum 30, with a frequency of 1-2 times a year. Each phase of this process has its own characteristics:

• Proestrus. Droplets of blood are released. The lady repels gentlemen, responds to signs of attention with aggression, and does not allow him to mate with her.
• Estrus. Almost transparent mucus is released. High readiness to conceive. When seeing representatives of the opposite sex, a certain pose is adopted - the tail is pulled to the side, the back of the body is raised. Males are allowed for boarding.
• Ending. Cooling of love passions. Low probability of fertilization. Resumption of aggressive behavior towards partners. The above terms usually range from 1-2 days. Each stage takes 7-8 days.

How does childbirth go?

The approaching birth can be judged by changes in the behavior of the German Shepherd - she begins to whine, scratch the bedding, and tries to hide in a dark place, hiding from prying eyes.

The dog refuses to eat, lies down all the time, her breathing quickens, and when you look at her, you can see the muscles trembling and the puppies moving.

The birth process is divided into 3 stages:

• before childbirth - a process of frequent muscle contractions in the uterus, leading to dilatation of the cervix, which is invisible externally and can last up to 30 hours;
• birth of puppies - after the cervix is ​​fully dilated, the dog experiences contractions and straining - contraction of the abdominal muscles, facilitating the movement of the puppy through the birth canal;
• after the birth of a puppy, the placenta is released, containing useful substances that promote the continuation of labor and lactation, so it is useful for the dog to eat it, but not more than 2 pieces, otherwise there is a possibility of diarrhea.

When a puppy is born, the bitch bites the umbilical cord and licks it, stimulating life processes.

You cannot rush and stimulate the dog at the birth of the first puppy - this can only harm both it and the offspring..

On average, childbirth without complications can last about 12 hours, the interval between the appearance of babies is 1 hour.

If 2 hours or more have passed since the birth of the last puppy, we can judge that labor has stopped.

Features of estrus among “Germans”

A good and attentive owner must record the fact that the dog has started his first heat. This way you can easily track your pet’s cycle and understand when the first mating will be most successful.

Signs

To understand when the shepherd's first heat will begin, you need to carefully monitor her. This is especially important during the period of changing teeth, since discharge can begin at any time. But there are a number of other signs that can indicate to the owner that puberty is approaching.

These signs include:

• excessive playfulness of the dog;
• disobedience;
• unscheduled molting;
• frequent urination, inability to endure walking;
• pestering male dogs while walking;
• loop increase.

The heat of your pet German Shepherd breed is quite predictable. The main thing is to pay attention to important factors and signs in time. Careful monitoring of your pet's condition will help determine important stages of its maturation.

Duration

On average, the duration of discharge in an animal lasts 20–22 days. It happens that the period of estrus extends to 1 month. This is not a pathology, but a feature of the dog. The frequency of “women’s” days for a pet is 6–7 months. An experienced and attentive owner can always determine when the next stage will begin.

However, in the first years of life, a dog may have an unsteady cycle. There is no need to sound the alarm right away. Just like humans, shepherds can have some hiccups and deviations from the average cycle. Subsequently, everything will return to normal and the correct cycle will be established.

You should contact your veterinarian in two cases:

• if less than 5 months have passed since the previous estrus, and new discharge has already begun;
• if more than 10 months have passed since the last heat, and there is still no discharge.

An experienced specialist will give recommendations on how to behave in such a situation and what measures can be taken to establish the correct cycle.