In heat?

[wolfsoul]

Her vulva is not swollen, but I've heard that even before it becomes swollen, males will start to go crazy -- I babysat her brother and he was constantly sniffing her back end and mounting her -- and she would stand for him, which is unusual behaviour for her. Now I'm babysitting a chihuahua who also seems very interested in her back end. She is three years old.

We would never breed her if she was in heat right now -- she needs her hips done. Her heart isn't a concern for the breed -- Infact, there are no major health concerns in this breed. It is relatively underbred because they are difficult to find homes for. Eyes and hips are done as a precaution though. It is mainly behavioural problems that are the issue in the breed. She is already CERF clear. Her hips will be done before her next heat. I am going with OFA and Pennhipp, because Pennhipp is a much more reliable source. Almost all of the dogs in Visa's pedigree are OFA excellent, so hopefully she will be the same. I am not sure of the male's rating, but Visa's breeder knows all that. The male she is bred to is her decision, but she would never breed to a dog that has a rating less than Good.

If she is coming into heat, will she have another heat this year? I mention this because Visa's breeder wants to have her done this year. She doesn't like waiting until a dog is after three years old for their first litter. Visa's heats have always been 6 months apart from eachother, but even her breeder looked at me the other day and said "The dogs say she's coming into heat early."

Thanks for the advice

[lute]

a friend of mine had two belgain sheepdogs. both females. she said they always had weird heat cycles. one o them didn't come into her first heat until she was almost 15 months old! the other one(her sister) would have anywhere between 1-3 heats a year. i think it's the breed. could your vet find out of she's comming into heat or not?

[wolfsoul]

Wow, 15 months old. I am heading to the vet today anyways to buy some tripe, so I'll ask her while I'm there.

[Dixieland Dancer]

If she is coming into heat, will she have another heat this year? I mention this because Visa's breeder wants to have her done this year. She doesn't like waiting until a dog is after three years old for their first litter. Visa's heats have always been 6 months apart from eachother, but even her breeder looked at me the other day and said "The dogs say she's coming into heat early."

Thanks for the advice

If she is getting this much attention then she is coming in and should be in with a couple weeks. I'm glad to hear you will wait to make sure she has proper clearances first. I don't see why the breeder would be upset at waiting until the dog is a little over 3 years old. I bred my Dixie when she was 3 1/2 and we didn't have any issues. The only issue I can see is that she wants her to have more litters and sooner rather than later. I strongly encourage you to wait!