Variations in the Dog Heat Cycle
There are several reasons that a dog may go into heat more or less often than the average time intervals. It helps to know the signs of a dog going into heat if this is your first time, such as behavior changes, bleeding, and swelling of the vulva.
The amount of times a dog will go into heat per year often depends on their size:
A few breeds go into heat only once a year despite their size. Basenjis, Tibetan Mastiffs and sledding dogs such as Malamutes often only go into heat in the spring. Wolf hybrid dogs may also only go into heat once a year in the spring season.
A dogs regular heat cycle might be delayed a bit following a pregnancy. Most bitches will resume cycling about four to six months after delivery once they are fully recovered from raising their litters.
Some bitches fall into a pattern of cycling every four months or roughly four times a year, although this is rare. At least one of these cycles is usually infertile. This means that ovulation does not occur even if the bitch gives signs of being willing to breed.
In even rarer cases, some bitches will begin a cycle only to have it end prematurely. Then the owner finds the dog in heat again after two months. This irregular heat cycle pattern is sometimes referred to as a “split cycle,” and its not unusual for a young bitch to experience this irregularity during her first cycle or two until she establishes a regular pattern.
Bitches have the potential to have heat cycles throughout their entire lives, unlike a human female who enters menopause. It is normal for senior dogs, however, to have heat cycles grow farther apart as they age and develop health problems.
If a bitch with a well-established pattern of heat cycles suddenly misses a cycle or two, its a good precaution to make your vet aware of the situation. Sometimes a physical malady can affect how often a bitch comes into heat, and its always better to consult your vet sooner rather than later. Sometimes simple stress or a nutritional deficiency can delay the heat cycle, and that situation is often easily resolved. In other cases, it may even become necessary to spay the bitch in order to ensure her health.
In some cases, a bitch may reach past the age when she should have had a heat cycle yet has not had one yet. Veterinarians usually are not concerned until a bitch reaches beyond two years old without ever having had an obvious cycle. At that point, a vet should examine her to determine why she doesnt cycle and whether that might be detrimental to her health depending on the cause.
The length can vary based on your dogs breed, size, and age, but once your dog begins to have regular cycles, you can expect them to stay in heat for roughly the same amount of time.
Most dogs will have their first heat cycle between six and 15 months of age. This can vary depending on the dogs size and breed.
Identifying the signs of your dogs heat cycle can help you avoid puppies, for one thing, but it can also help you care for your dog properly.
Dogs usually go into heat twice a year, or every 6 months or so, McCarthy says, and small dogs tend to go into heat more frequently than large dogs. Smaller breeds may cycle three times a year, but very large breeds may only cycle once a year.
Heat cycles tend to be pretty consistent, so if your dog has two heat cycles 6 months apart, you can expect that to continue. However, it can take up to two years for your dog to experience regular cycles. Additionally, keep in mind that the length of time between heat cycles can increase as a dog gets older.
How often will your dog go into heat?
You might be wondering, how long is a dog’s heat cycle? Dogs usually go into heat once every six months or twice every year, but this will differ from one breed to another (as mentioned above). Small breeds, like a Yorkshire Terrier can go thrice a year. Meanwhile a German Shepherd heat cycle will differ from them as large breeds may only go into heat once a year.
A typical dog’s heat cycle goes on as follows:
There is vaginal discharge, males become attracted to females but the females still don’t have interest in mating and may become aggressive when mounted. Length: 4-20 days.
Your dog will have a swollen vulva, together with some bloody vaginal discharge; mating occurs during this phase with your female dog giving in freely to the males. This is the stage most suitable for breeding, where your dog is most fertile. Length: 5-13 days.
Keep in mind that it is not always appropriate to breed your dog, even if she is in this stage. For example, you should not be breeding your female dog in her first heat. For more information on why breeding a female dog in her first heat is not OK, check out this article.
During this stage we recommend using female dog diapers for heat cycles. Pet Parents® Washable Dog Diapers will keep your pup and house clean from any messes during this heat cycle stage. These diapers will allow you to keep your female dog in heat comfortable on beds, furniture, or around the house without the risk of stains.
This is the period where your fur-baby is no longer receptive to males and where your fur-babys hormones begin to go back to their normal levels. Length: 60-90 days.
However, if your dog is pregnant, pregnancy will last between 60-64 days.
This is the period of inactivity in dogs (sexual and hormonal) between estrus phases. Length: 2-4 months.
To learn more about how long your dog may stay in heat, check out this article.