In Reply to: bitch coming in heat

The normal (average) heat cycle for a dog is nine days coming in heat. Nine
days in standing heat (the period when she can be bred) and nine days going
out of heat. The total average length of the cycle is 28 days. Usually,
I tell clients that they can figure the dog has been coming in heat for
approximately 2 days before they will first notice the signs. So that means
they should have about 7 days before she will be receptive to the male and
can be bred. But, remember that is just the average. Some dogs will cycle
differently, especially on the first heat and during the summer months. I
would recommend that if you can already see signs and you do not wish the
bitch to be bred then you immediately seperate the dogs and keep them
seperate until all the clinical signs are gone. I realize that this is
taking the most extreme caution but, better safe than sorry. Heat cycles
can be very unpredictable on the first cycle and during the summer months
as I have previously mentioned.

DR.J