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Youve probably heard about female dogs going into heat — but what about males? Do male dogs go into heat, too? If so, how long do they stay in heat? Heres what pet parents should know.
Do male dogs go into heat? In short: No. “In heat,” or estrus specifically refers to the time in the female dogs reproductive cycle where she becomes receptive to mating with males. According to the American Kennel Club, male dogs dont go into heat; instead, theyre capable of mating year-round once they become fertile at about 6 months old.
A dogs breed and size plays a role in when she first goes into heat, but generally speaking most dogs will reach sexual maturity at around 6 months — some dogs can go into heat as early as four months, while large and giant breeds may take up to two years before their first heat cycle. A heat cycle occurs every six to eight months and lasts approximately three weeks. While in heat, a female dog is especially attractive to male dogs and will experience a swollen vulva, vaginal bleeding and more frequent urination.
What are the signs of estrus?
The earliest sign of estrus is swelling or engorgement of the vulva, but this swelling is not always obvious. In many cases, a bloody vaginal discharge is the first sign that a pet owner will notice when their dog comes into heat. In some cases, the discharge will not be apparent until several days after estrus has begun. The amount of discharge varies from dog to dog.
The vaginal discharge will change in color and appearance as the cycle progresses. At first, the discharge is very bloody, but as the days pass, it thins to become watery and pinkish-red in color. A female dog that is in heat will often urinate more frequently than normal, or may develop marking behavior, in which she urinates small amounts on various objects either in the home or when out on a walk. During this phase of her cycle, the urine contains pheromones and hormones, both of which signal her reproductive state to other dogs. This is the reason that dogs in heat will attract other dogs, particularly males.
Male dogs can detect a female in heat from a great distance and may begin marking your property with their urine in an attempt to claim their territory.
Estrus is the stage when the dog can become pregnant. Although this can vary with each individual, on average a dog will be in heat for 1 ½ to 2 weeks but this can be shorter or longer.
Change in posture and tail position
When female dogs enter the estrus (second) phase of the dog in heat cycle, they’re ready to mate and they show this with their posture and tail position. Your dog make take a suggestive posture, as an invitation to male dogs. You’ll also see her raise her tail slightly and move it to the side – this position becoming even more pronounced when she’s touched.
How to bring your bitch (Female Dog) into heat UPDATE
Do dogs have periods? Not the same way that female humans do. Female dogs who aren’t spayed go into heat and the amount of time a female dog bleeds and when she’s fertile varies greatly from a human menstrual cycle. Let’s discuss some facts about dogs in heat — and why it’s important to spay your female dog!