Dutch Shepherd Forum

hi all, I have a DS that just went into heat, I have never had a female go into heat before so I have a few questions. For reasons that I would not want to share on a public forum, she is not totally mine (yet) so I can not spay her (yet). So I know the easy stuff - DO NOT let my intact male interact with her.....
My questions are as follows:
-How long does the heat cycle last?
-does it change her personality some? I have noticed some changes with her the last few weeks (pacing, fighting with one of my other dogs, seems she just has a bit of an intolerance lately with the other dog
-anything I should do differently while she is in heat?
-anything else I should know would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Heat cycles last about 3 weeks, give or take, as each bitch is different. Bitches can be a bit flighty while they are not receptive to males, and even insane! Somewhere around 10 to 12 days, she will "stand"/ accept or even seek out the males attentions. (Don't be fooled by the diminished discharge, it is really a sign they are getting close to breeding time.) Watch her EVERY minute -- all the males around will know she's in heat -- don't let her outside unattended, Ever!!! (Dogs have and will, breed through fences.)
Your male may also be a pain --- Not eating/whining/ trying to break out of crates, etc.
If you can't provide the environment to absolutely avoid an unplanned breeding, you may want to consider boarding one of them, starting about the 8th day, just in case your girl is an early breeder - or if you missed the first signs of her being in season.

Also--I've had girls do the "Normal" 6 month cycles between heats, but some only 4 months between, and some up to 8 months between cycles. Keep track of it all on your calender -- don't rely on memory.

Chris covered all the good stuff. I just wanted to add that having my intact male and my female crated near each other calmed him down quite a bit. Being able to see her seemed to help him. BUT I did put a barrier between their crates and spread them out so no between the bar breeding.

Also don't trust her. I once had an unfortunate breeding many years ago because my female who went to work with me climbed a fence and escaped right under my nose... Apparently she was ready and what had contained her for the past year no longer contained her.

Also she will smell like a funky monkey

Remember when she stops (bright red) bleeding she is the most likely to be fertile. But she may be able to get pregnant throughout.

"Little swimmers" baby swim diapers saved me from having to clean up all over the house. I use size large, put them on backwards and mark then cut the tail hole. She does not try to get them off. They are cheap and disposable!

My girl has cycled only once and was due again in Feb... Still no sign of a second cycle .