Generally speaking, a female dog can enter estrus—the heat cycle—
around six months of age to nine months
, though some wait until a year or longer to begin.
What age does a German shepherd go into heat?
Owners that have not spayed their pup need to be aware of when their female dog will come into season. You can expect your female dog to start coming into heat when she is
between six and fifteen months old
. Smaller dogs tend to get there more quickly than larger breeds.
What are the signs that your dog is going into heat?
- Swollen vulva.
- Bloody or straw-colored discharge from the vulva.
- Receptive to male dogs.
- Excessive licking of the genital area.
- Agitated, nervous, or aggressive behavior.
- Urinating more frequently.
- Change in tail position.
At what age do GSD start mating?
In females, breeding GSDs should begin
no earlier than 2 years old
. Though some breeders suggest there being a benefit to waiting until females are 3 years old to help ensure healthy parenting skills. Breeding isn't recommended past the age of 8.
What is the earliest a puppy can go into heat?
On average, puberty (or sexual maturity) is reached at about six months of age, but this can vary by breed. Smaller breeds tend to have their first estrous cycle
Do female dogs get aggressive when in heat?
Aggression in female dogs during their heat is
a common complaint
. Drastic hormone changes can adversely affect a female dog's mood and can predispose to acts of aggression even if she has never been aggressive before. These hormone changes cause irritability, nervousness and can even cause pain during ovulation.
Will my dog change after her first heat?
Changes can range from quite mild to more severe
. Sometimes a female dog will become more affectionate and clingy with her owner, other times she may seem a bit grumpy. Appetite changes: It's not unusual for a dog to go off her food a bit during this first week, or she may get hungrier.
How many puppies does a German shepherd have in a litter?
German Shepherd Dogs can have anywhere from
1 to 15 puppies
in a normal litter. While the average is 8 puppies per litter, larger litters are often expected.
At what age is a male German shepherd fertile?
Male dogs are sexually active year-round and can be capable of siring puppies when they're as young as 5 months, but they are most fertile after
12-to-15 months of age
, once they are fully physically mature.
At what age can you start breeding a male German shepherd?
On average, however, males become fertile after
six months of age
and reach full sexual maturity by 12 to 15 months. Healthy stud dogs may remain sexually active and fertile to old age. Adult males are able to mate at any time.
Do dogs get pregnant every time they tie?
It is important to note that
pregnancy can occur without a tie
. Once tied the male dog will often step over the female or be turned by handlers into a position so that the animals are back to back.
Is it bad for dogs to get pregnant in their first heat?
Your dog
can get pregnant
during the very first heat, or estrus cycle. Though most dogs experience estrus around 6 months of age, some small breeds can go into heat at four months old, so it won't be long before your little princess is able to have pups of her own!
Do dogs in heat smell?
Female dogs generally experience heat cycles
Why do female dogs cry when mating?
Why do female dogs cry after mating? This is specifically
designed to get the male's attention
. Other behaviors meant for this are things like the female laying her head on the back of a male dog while pawing at him. She may even try mounting the male dog as a way to bring attention to her condition.
Do female dogs get jealous of other female dogs?
Recently, psychologists performed a study on dog behavior and learned without a doubt that
dogs do get jealous
. Whether it's jealousy as humans experience it, or an offshoot of deeply ingrained dog behavior like resource guarding or redirected excitement, dogs do feel envy.
Should I separate my dogs if one is in heat?
Under no circumstances should an intact male and an in-heat female dog be kept near each other if you're trying to avoid pregnancy.
Keep the dogs separated until the female's heat cycle
