Labrador's first heat

Brief characteristics of the breed

The Labrador is a smart, kind and friendly dog that will become a devoted friend and a true family member. Has the following appearance features:

The height of adult representatives of the species at the withers is 56-58 cm.
The weight of females ranges from 25-32 kg, and males 27-36 kg.
The color of the coat is always solid, but can be different: brown, black, fawn.
In the nursery, the cost of a puppy with all documents ranges from $500 to $800*. Without documents, a puppy will cost a little more.
A healthy dog lives about 11-13 years.

Labrador dogs are sociable and intelligent

The difficulties of keeping pets include the constant need for physical activity. You can't leave them alone at home for a long time. Out of boredom and loneliness, they will begin to spoil the owner’s things, causing significant damage to the property.

What is estrus, features of estrus in a Labrador

Mating Jack Russell Terriers for the first time: how long does estrus last?

Estrus is a normal physiological process that occurs in all female dogs, regardless of their breed. It indicates the female’s sexual maturity; this period is the most favorable for mating. Compared to miniature breeds, in Labradors this process begins to occur somewhat later.

The sexual development of a dog depends on many factors, the main ones being:

conditions of detention;
climatic conditions;
emotional state of the pet;
food quality;
environment.

The period of estrus is characterized by the release of a cloudy liquid from the genitals, which feels like liquid jelly and smells unpleasant.

Healthy adult Labrador female

The chemical composition of this liquid attracts representatives of the opposite sex, but at first the female does not let anyone near her, showing aggression. After no more than 5 days, the female begins to reciprocate the male’s feelings, but mating still does not occur.

Each representative of the breed has an individual cycle, but, as a rule, estruses are repeated with an interval of no more than 8 months. If a dog becomes pregnant, then until the birth of puppies and for several months after the estrus will not resume.

For your information! You can determine a dog's readiness for mating by its behavior.

During a walk, the pet tries to escape. And at the sight of a male, he can completely lose his head, rushing towards him and completely disobeying his master.

How does it manifest itself and what to do?

During menstruation, females become very nervous, they are active and restless. They need a lot of warmth and attention. In the second half, it is best not to go for walks, because males can smell pheromones from afar. You can understand that heat is approaching by the following signs:

frequent urge to urinate;
swelling of the loop, bloody discharge;
hyperattention from males;
sudden mood swings.

Try not to scold your pet at this time, forgive her mood swings, disobedience - now she is controlled by hormones, not the brain. It’s better to pamper her with something tasty - special cookies, for example. And, of course, come up to her more often, pet her, talk in a calm voice and scratch her behind the ear.

At this time, there is no need to participate in exhibitions and competitions; strange behavior and specific discharge can be unpleasant and can confuse viewers. In addition, swimming in open water is prohibited - in a lake or river it is easy to catch an infection, which will then require a long treatment. Genitourinary diseases are dangerous for subsequent infertility, and are simply difficult to tolerate. Carefully monitor the animal’s hygiene; it should not sit on dusty and dirty surfaces; it is better to bathe it after a walk; it is advisable to put panties on it at home.

If you notice that your cycle has changed, the discharge has changed color or become excessive, it is best to contact your veterinarian. The same must be done if estrus does not occur for a long time.

It is extremely undesirable to use pills and drugs for fertilization; this leads to hormonal imbalances and even the development of cancerous tumors.

Husky is in heat

At what age do dogs go into their first heat? In huskies this happens at six months. But there are some peculiarities here.

It is characteristic of this breed that it is the female who is responsible for successful offspring. You need to make sure that she is always well-fed, but at the same time elegant and graceful.

The first estrus in a representative of this breed begins at six months and lasts approximately a year, including short breaks between estrus. At this time, she requires special attention. Therefore, for any, even minor, changes, you should consult a veterinarian.

A female husky is completely ready for pregnancy and childbirth during her third heat.

How many times and when to breed a Labrador

According to the RKF regulations, the breeder (your pet) can give birth to cubs no more than once a year and no more than seven times in total. The exception is receiving two litters in a row with an interval of six months, if a year passes before the next litter. This situation should be perceived as undesirable: the mother’s body does not have time to fully recover before the next pregnancy, which can lead to complications.

At the first mating, the female Labrador must be at least 18 months old (at about this age the third heat occurs ) , and the male must also be at least 18 months old at the time of mating Females are removed from breeding when they turn 9 years old, but there is no such restriction for males. However, it is recommended to stop breeding a bitch earlier and not plan offspring if she is more than 7 years old: pregnancy and childbirth can negatively affect the health of an older animal.

Biologically, a Labrador is ready to become pregnant during her first heat : the egg matures and fertilization can occur. However, this does not mean that you should breed a dog in its first heat. Her body is still developing and is not ready to endure pregnancy without significant losses. Early childbirth is often complicated, fraught with the birth of not the healthiest offspring and deterioration in the health of the bitch.

The main signs of heat in a Labrador

The onset of estrus in a retriever is accompanied by the following signs:

complete or partial lack of appetite;
stains and brown spots can be found on the bedding intended for sleeping;
for unknown reasons, the pet’s mood changes: sometimes it is excessively playful, sometimes it falls into sadness and melancholy.

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

It is impossible to accurately describe the state and emotional background, since it depends on a large number of individual characteristics.

For your information! Quite often, when a Labrador is in heat, shedding season begins. This causes additional trouble for the owner, but he will have to come to terms with it and provide the pet with careful care for its coat.

During the walk, the female's behavior can be terrible. She becomes disobedient and strives to distance herself from her owner. This immediately becomes noticeable, since such behavior is unusual for Labradors in a normal state.

The female tries to leave marks in any suitable places in her opinion, with an interval of 4-7 meters. This is necessary to attract the attention of males. Such marks indicate readiness for sexual activity and procreation.

Diapers for dogs during heat

When examining the genitals, you can see slightly swollen genitals and a small amount of brown secretion.

How does childbirth go?

A few days before giving birth, the dog's temperature begins to be taken. If it drops within 1 day, this indicates the approaching birth of babies. Before labor begins, the owner needs to prepare thoroughly. The dog should be given a separate, secluded place. The bitch should feel comfortable.

You will also need clean pieces of cloth or gauze, scissors for cutting the umbilical cord, brilliant green, alcohol for hand disinfection, and silk threads for tying the umbilical cord. The birth process is divided into the prenatal period, which lasts about 16–24 hours, and the labor period. The bitch begins to worry, breathes heavily, hides or follows the owner. The onset of labor is indicated by the appearance of contractions and pushing, and the water breaking. Puppies are born head first or feet first.

If the fetus comes out tightly, the dog should be gently helped: pull it out while pushing, gently clasping it around the body. Usually the dog itself ruptures the amniotic sac and bites off the umbilical cord. If this does not happen, the owner should break it himself in the area of the baby's head, tie the umbilical cord 2 cm from the abdomen and cut it with scissors. The tip is treated with brilliant green. All instruments must be sterile.

If everything goes well, the puppies are born at intervals of about an hour. During childbirth, the bitch should be given warm water in small portions. Two cubs may be born in a row, which means there will be a longer gap before the next one. The bitch herself eats the afterbirth and licks the puppy, otherwise it needs to be lightly wiped and placed in a separate box. When the birth is over, all the cubs are placed near the mother, close to the nipples.

Related article: Pros and cons of keeping a Labrador in an apartment

Features of the first heat and rules for mating Labradors

A fairly common question from dog breeders is: when does Labrador retriever go into heat for the first time? It is impossible to say exactly this period, since everything depends on the individual characteristics of the pet’s body. The first heat is called a miscarriage, since the chances of getting pregnant at this time are insignificant. As a rule, it occurs between the ages of 7 and 10 months.

Estrus in dogs: how long does it last and when does it start?

The second phase of the cycle is ideal for mating, but it is important to understand that this period is also the most dangerous if dog owners have no desire to breed puppies.

Important! The most suitable time for breeding Labradors, according to veterinarians, is 11-15 days from the start of estrus. This is due to the fact that natural instincts reach their peak these days.

It is strongly recommended that before breeding your pet, you take it to a veterinary clinic and conduct a thorough medical examination. The following tests are required:

vaginal smear;
blood.

It is imperative to deworm and treat the bitch for parasites. You must first take care of vaccinations so that during lactation the mother’s breast milk contains the highest possible concentration of nutrients.

Important! A few weeks before the start of mating, complex mineral supplements must be introduced into the female’s diet in order to strengthen and prepare her body for bearing puppies.

Mating is carried out only on the territory of the male dog, so that he feels confident. A few hours before intercourse, dogs need to be well fed and walked. The owner must be present during mating.

How to choose a partner.

A Labrador retriever male is selected for mating based on breeding purposes. If the owner strives to become a professional, he is selected according to breeding characteristics and pedigree. When the owner does not strive for fame at exhibitions and medals, but simply wants to get good offspring from his pet, then the dog is selected according to the following parameters:

experience and swagger;
stable psyche and lack of excessive aggression;
correct appearance and physical health;
lack of blood ties.

Similar article: What to look for and how to choose the right Labrador puppy

You can look at previous offspring from a potential father to get a rough idea of future puppies. A few weeks before mating, the male dog begins to be fed foods high in protein and rich in microelements. You should also try to walk your dog more often.

Duration of the period

Pustovka is divided into 4 stages, features of behavior and physiology: Take the Attention Test! Find 10 differences! (click right here!)

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The first stage is proetrus. Lasts about 7-10 days. The vulva begins to swell, mucous and bloody discharge are observed, but it is not yet ready for mating, ovulation has not occurred. There is a change in habits: she can be playful, excited, which attracts male dogs to her, but does not allow her to approach her; signs of aggression are possible. Towards the end of proetrus, the bitch slowly shows interest in the opposite sex, but does not yet allow mating.
The second stage is estrus. Duration - 11-16 days. Bleeding stops and ovulation begins. The female is ready for mating and fertilization, and her habits are understandable to males. When she sees the opposite sex, she takes a mating position: she moves her tail to the side and pulls up her vulva, allowing male dogs to mount her. If the process is successful, pregnancy occurs and puppies are subsequently born. Estrus is the most favorable for mating, or, conversely, not desirable if the owner has no desire to breed a favorite.
The third stage is metestrus. Occurs 3-4 days after estrus. The amount of discharge gradually decreases. The excitement passes, the bitch again does not allow males to approach her. The probability of fertilization in metestrus is zero.
The fourth is anestrus. During this period, the reproductive system stops the active phase, the ovaries do not produce eggs. The duration of anestrus is from 1 month to 2 years.

The timing varies depending on the physiological state and health in the range of 3-5 days.

Estrus lasts 20-22 days, rarely longer. The interval between estrus lasts 6-7 months. If no shedding has occurred within a year, you should consult a veterinarian.

According to dog handlers, it is better to allow Rottweiler bitches to mate at the age of 20 months and are not advised to mate at the first breeding, as the body is not fully prepared for bearing and giving birth to offspring. If the female is more than 4 years old, it is better to consult a veterinarian before breeding. Ideally healthy individuals (physically and mentally) should be allowed for breeding. About 1-2 months before mating, it is better to give the dogs anthelmintic drugs.

If the owner is not interested in future offspring, a number of precautions must be taken:

Walking on a leash changes the pet's behavior and may run away without following the owner's commands.
Do not allow males to cage, otherwise it will be impossible to separate them during intercourse.
The dog must be under close supervision.
Avoid contact with the opposite sex.
Provide care.

Veterinarians are against the use of medical abortion; they have many contraindications and side effects.

Signs and duration of pregnancy

It is almost impossible to determine pregnancy in a retriever before one month. And the dog doesn’t need any special care yet. Pregnancy can be assumed if the bitch feels sick and vomits in the morning, her appetite has worsened, and a clear, viscous discharge begins to come out of the loop. If you know the parameters of your pet, then an increase in volume in the groin area also indicates that she is pregnant.

Closer to childbirth, the nipples begin to swell. Pregnancy lasts about two months. Depending on the number of fetuses, birth may occur a few days later or earlier than 60 days. After four weeks, the bitch needs to be taken to a veterinarian for examination. Using palpation or ultrasound, he will determine the number of fetuses and the degree of their development.

Similar article: What is remarkable about the chocolate-colored Labrador?

How long does a Labrador go into heat?

The duration of estrus in a Labrador dog is on average 6 days. The process is physiological, occurring with a certain periodicity.

Labrador breeding

The first cycle will last from days 1 to 9. The duration of the second phase lasts strictly 6 days from 10 to 16 days of the cycle. This period is called estrus, when the female is ready for fertilization. As a rule, when she sees representatives of the opposite sex, she takes a position convenient for mating.

In addition to the phases of immediate estrus, Labradors also experience a final third stage. During its course, the dog begins to lose sexual interest in the opposite sex and begins to perceive them as strangers.

Note! If the dog does not become pregnant, then the functions of the genital organs gradually fade away, and its behavior becomes habitual.

First heat. When?

At what age do dogs go into heat? Some are from six months to the ninth month of life. For others, their first heat occurs between 10 and 12 months. There are dogs for whom this happens as early as one and a half years.

At this time, special attention should be paid to ensure that accidental mating does not occur: you should try to constantly control the animal.

So at what age do dogs go into heat and how long does it last? It is impossible to answer this question accurately, since each dog has its own body. The first may last a short period of time. In some cases, it can manifest itself very weakly and be expressed by a small amount of blood discharge, which will not be so attractive to males.

The first heat can be considered fake, and it ends very quickly, but this is not a reason to relax, since resumption can occur again after a short time. That’s when you need to keep a close eye on the female, as she begins a real hunt, which means ovulation.