Husky heat: when does it start, how long does it last and how often does it happen?

Not all people who become owners of husky girls intend to be breeders.

However, regardless of whether you plan to get offspring from a bitch in the future or not, sooner or later the time comes when the dog goes into heat.

And this physiological phenomenon may not be the most pleasant surprise for an inexperienced owner who, having noticed signs of empty nest in his pet, gets lost and does not know what to do and how to help the dog.

But beginning breeders face another problem: how to choose the right partner and choose the optimal time for mating.

How many days does estrus last in dogs: stages of estrus and their duration

When cats start their first heat: signs
The period of estrus can be from 20 to 30 days. The period of how many days the estrus lasts in females is influenced by genetic breed characteristics and other factors:

• in winter the empty space is shorter than in summer;
• a dog experiencing greater physical stress has a shorter estrus time;
• The hunting period is shortened in sick, emaciated and elderly animals.

Bloody discharge
Estrus in dogs has several stages, accompanied by various symptoms:

1. Proestrus (pre-temperature) lasts 7-10 days, accompanied by scanty discharge. At this time, ovulation has not yet occurred. The bitch's behavior changes, she tends to go for walks, and does not allow male dogs to approach her.
2. Estrus (the main active phase) lasts 10-14 days. Ovulation occurs in the first 2-3 days. Two days later, the dog takes a characteristic stance and calls on the stronger sex. Mating occurs during this period. The discharge at this time should be light pink, scanty or completely absent.
3. Metaestrus lasts 60-100 days. The discharge stops and the loop returns to normal size. The animal gradually calms down and does not allow male dogs to approach it.
4. Anestrus (calm phase) lasts 110-250 days. During this time, the bitch's body is recovering until the next initial estrus cycle occurs.

Important! During the third stage, the greatest likelihood of inflammatory processes occurring in the external genitalia of the dog occurs.

In small breeds

In small dogs (Yorkie, Liver, Pinscher), the first heat can begin at 6-8 months. Discharge during emptying in small bitches is insignificant. You can breed a dog during cycle 2-3, when puberty is completely over and the female reaches the breed standard size. A small dog has about 10 cycles during its life.

Estrus in small breeds

In medium and large breeds

Medium-sized dogs (bobtail, terrier, bull terrier) mature somewhat later. The first estrus occurs at 7-8 months, and about 20 cycles are observed over a lifetime. The first heat in large females occurs at 9-18 months.

The emptying of large breed bitches is characterized by longer duration and abundant discharge. Average number of days in heat for the most famous breeds:

• Labrador - 20-22 days;
• husky - 14-21;
• German Shepherd - 18-20.

Note! In large bitches, the duration of estrus increases by 2-5 days with age.

When does puberty occur?

Husky males reach puberty at the age of 7-8 months, but it is not advisable to breed them right away. As a result of early mating, the dog may develop health problems:

• sagging back;
• mental disorder;
• insufficient development of muscle tissue.

The first mating of a male husky should be at the age of 2-2.5 years

In addition, a young male dog can produce few or sick offspring.

Puberty of females occurs at 8-11 months. At the same time, the first estrus is observed. Theoretically, a husky can become pregnant and produce puppies in a couple of months. However, as in the case of male dogs, you should not rush to breed an animal.

Advice! If owners do not plan to breed pets, then it is recommended to castrate the animals.

How does the estrus process work in dogs?

The first stage is marked by a change in the behavior of the dog, which is under the influence of a hormonal surge. Bloody discharge appears and the external genitalia become enlarged. The bitch often crouches, making marks, and tries to run out of the house.

During estrus, the bloody discharge gradually becomes lighter and acquires a light pink tint. Days 11-13 from the start of estrus are most favorable for conception. The bitch lets the males in, moves her tail away. Mating is possible until 14-17 days.

With the onset of metaestrus, the discharge ends and the genitals acquire their normal size. The bitch shows no interest in males. The dog's behavior returns to normal.

Useful video

From the video you will learn everything about the Husky dog ​​breed:

Rate the author's article:

9 ratings, average: 3.89 out of 5

Loading…

Husky puberty is a process that is responsible for the formation of the animal and its preparation for reproduction. Each dog breed develops individually, so you need to take into account the characteristics of your pet. In order to get healthy puppies and not harm the dog, you should be responsible for the mating process.

Periods of heat

The reproductive cycle consists of several parts:

1. Proestrus lasts from 7 to 10 days. The body is preparing for ovulation. The vulva swells, the genitals are hyperemic. As a result of rupture of blood vessels in the uterus, spotting begins, by the end of the period it becomes lighter and less abundant. At this time, you can notice how the dog's behavior changes. She is excited, active and playful. During a walk, it can mark territory, disobey the owner and show interest in the opposite sex. However, the dog does not allow the male yet.
2. Estrus. This is the period of ovulation, lasting on average 9 days. The discharge has become light in color and can sometimes be bloody. The swelling of the genital organs subsides. The female allows the male to approach her and withdraws her tail. All other reflexes are muffled, the dog may not feel hungry.
3. Metaestrus (diestrus) - lasts several days, the bleeding stops, the female does not allow dogs of the opposite sex to approach her. The end of the heat is coming.
4. Anestrus is a period of sexual rest, its duration can reach 150 days.

Physiological processes in a dog’s body take place under the influence of estrogen hormones. They affect the animal’s reproductive system, creating conditions for the appearance of estrus: swelling of the genital organs appears, the epithelium of the uterus is rejected, hyperemia of the vulva appears, and the membranes of the dog’s reproductive organs swell.

During the described period, the mammary glands may enlarge, and secretions come out of them. This sometimes leads to mastitis and even tumors. In such cases, veterinarians recommend sterilizing the dog.

Place and process of mating Siberian Huskies

Mating should take place on the territory of the male. The premises should have a separate room for animals, where they will not be disturbed. You can conceive outside, in a fenced enclosure. At the same time, there should be no other pets or people on the territory. In such conditions it is convenient for dogs to run, play and get acquainted. If mating is carried out at home, it is advisable to cover the room with old rags or newspapers so that the animals do not damage the furniture and floors.

Important! Before mating, dogs are not loaded or fed. Just a short walk in the fresh air is enough.

If attempts are not successful or last no more than 5 minutes, it is necessary to stop conception and take the female away. If the dog is overexcited, he is taken to another room for a while. After resting, the dogs are brought together again. If the pet is nervous and shows aggression, they put a muzzle on it or tie its mouth with a bandage.

Signs and symptoms

Mating of Spitz: when the heat begins, childbirth at home

Hormone surges affect the bitch’s behavior, her mental state, and are accompanied by physiological changes in the body.

Recognizing the onset of bleeding

With an increased release of hormones, the following symptoms are observed that help determine the onset of sexual heat:

• the dog becomes more active: it fawns on the owner or, conversely, shows aggression, it is difficult to calm it down;
• the female becomes disobedient and ignores commands;
• the period of estrus occurs with a weakening of the sphincter of the bladder, accompanied by urinary incontinence;
• the dog systematically squats, excreting small amounts of urine, leaving marks on its territory;
• the presence of bloody and mucous discharge from the vagina;
• the female often licks the genitals;
• the loop swells and acquires a red-purple color;
• small traces of blood can be seen on the floor;
• the dog begins to be actively interested in representatives of the opposite sex.

Enlarged genital loop

Is the smell and blood normal?

Vaginal discharge changes its appearance at different stages of estrus. They may look: bright red, pink, colorless. Often accompanied by a characteristic odor.

Important! The owner should be alerted to excessively abundant, long-lasting discharge with a pungent odor of rotting flesh

Appetite

During emptying, the female often experiences a decrease or complete refusal of food. All the forces of the body are aimed at implementing the instinct of procreation. In some cases, the dog develops a change in its taste habits and becomes capricious in choosing foods from its diet. Sometimes estrus provokes an abnormal increase in appetite in an animal.

Body temperature

Estrus in female dogs is often accompanied by an increase in general body temperature. A deviation from the norm of no more than 0.5 °C is considered optimal. If after thermometry an increase of 1-2 °C is observed, consultation with a veterinarian is required.

Childbirth

Typically, childbirth in dogs lasts several hours and is divided into several periods:

• Preparatory - when contractions begin, under the influence of which the cervical canal opens. Outwardly, this period goes unnoticed and lasts on average from 2 to 12 hours.
• The gestation period is the actual birth of the puppies. It begins with the time of complete dilation of the uterus and ends with the birth of the last of the puppies. Accompanied by contractions and attempts that join at the time of expulsion of the fetus.
• The postpartum period begins after the birth of the last of the puppies in the litter and continues until the end of feeding the puppies.

As a rule, childbirth follows one of the following scenarios:

• The bitch does everything herself, the owner can only watch the process.
• The owner helps the bitch a little: he strokes and calms her, and also accepts newborn puppies.
• The birth is complicated and urgent veterinary assistance is required.

IMPORTANT! It should be remembered that you can only give birth yourself in the first two cases. If any problems arise, you need to immediately take the bitch to the clinic or call a veterinarian at home.

Harbingers of childbirth

About a day before the onset of labor, the bitch refuses to eat. Her temperature drops to 36.5°.

Signs of labor beginning:

• visible movement of puppies;
• anxiety;
• refusal of food;
• heavy rapid breathing;
• slight trembling;
• the mammary glands fill with milk;
• the bitch seeks solitude, and at this time she begins to scratch and tear the bedding with her claws to make a nest for herself.

How do huskies give birth?

During childbirth, these dogs are able to do without the help of the owner, but it is still better to control this process in order to avoid the likelihood of any complications.

In any case, the owner should prepare for the birth of his pet:
prepare as much clean bedding as possible, as well as medium-sized scissors with rounded ends, iodine and thread for tying the umbilical cord .
It also makes sense to get a notepad and pen to make notes about the time of birth of each of the puppies, gender, weight and color. If the birth goes well, then the bitch can handle everything on her own. There can be exceptions only if she is giving birth for the first time and does not yet know what to do with children. And so, usually after the puppy is born, the mother releases it from the amniotic sac, bites the umbilical cord and thoroughly licks the baby. The afterbirth that comes out with the puppy is usually eaten by the bitch.

ATTENTION! No more than two hours should pass from the birth of the previous one until the appearance of the next puppy. If this does not happen, then you need to call a veterinarian.

First birth

For the first time, husky bitches may give birth 1–2 days later than expected. They may not go entirely smoothly, and the point here is not so much about possible complications, but rather about the fact that the dog may not yet be ready to be a mother.

She may refuse to handle newborns, and then the owner will have to do it himself.
To do this, you need to break the bubble in the area of ​​the baby’s head with your nails, then free it from the membranes and clean the mucus from the mouth using a gauze napkin. Tie the umbilical cord at a distance of 2–4 cm from the baby’s abdomen and, cutting above the ligation site, cauterize it with iodine.
After this, quickly rub the puppy with a clean, dry soft cloth and place it on the nipple. It also happens that during the first birth a bitch may try to eat her puppies. This happens most often because the dog is stressed or does not yet know how to handle newborns, which is why it acts too rudely. In this case, the owner needs to take the puppies away from her for a few hours. As a rule, after the bitch comes to her senses a little after giving birth, she no longer tries to harm her offspring.

It should also be remembered that when a bitch gives birth for the first time, the risk of complications increases significantly. Therefore, it would be wise to invite a veterinarian or an experienced breeder to the birth in advance in case any problems arise.

How many puppies are born

Husky litters are usually large and can contain from 5 to 12 puppies. The number of puppies in the litter primarily depends on the bitch’s hereditary characteristics and her personal characteristics. The age of the dog also plays a role: usually after 7–8 years, litters become small.

First time

In the first litter, the number of puppies is usually smaller than in subsequent ones. This is primarily due to the fact that the owner of the bitch made a mistake in choosing the day of breeding and bred her earlier or later than she should have. On average, a husky gives birth to 4–5 puppies in the first litter.

IMPORTANT! The small size of the first litter is not an indication that the bitch is not fertile. Very often, bitches who gave birth to 1–2 puppies for the first time subsequently gave birth to litters of 8 or more babies.

Next birth

If the owner of the bitch has taken into account all his previous mistakes, then his husky has every chance of bringing a large litter, which may even contain 10–12 puppies .

Signs, symptoms, dog in heat

How to determine if a dog is in heat? A dog's behavior changes during heat. The dog becomes more active, playful, and disobedient. Hormones begin to “play”, and instinct pushes her towards free behavior. Estrus can be determined by the following signs:

At this time, the dog begins to urinate much more often; attention from male dogs increases significantly; on the bedding or floor you can notice blood droplets coming out of the loop; females periodically lick the loop.

At this time, females do not allow males, since they are not ready for the fertilization process.

As a rule, by days 9-15, the discharge becomes mucous and straw-colored. This is the period of so-called “unfavorable” days. The females experience maximum sexual arousal at this time, when they notice males, move their tail to the side and take a stance. The loop swells greatly.

This period lasts approximately 5-7 days. The owner, if he wants to breed a dog, is obliged to mark these days. Depending on the breed, the favorable time for fertilization may occur on days 9-17, for some even on day 21.

To prevent your pet from leaving characteristic red droplets in the house, you can use special underpants for dogs in heat. However, most dog trainers advise teaching her to lick herself from the very first heat. Be that as it may, it is recommended to wrap the carpets during emptying.

Features of pet care

When a husky bitch goes into heat, you need to make sure that the dog does not breed on her own . To do this, when keeping her in an apartment, you must walk her only on a leash.

In addition, you will have to make sure that the pet cannot escape into the street through an open door.

When keeping a husky in the yard of a private house, the dog owner needs to make sure that the bitch cannot dig under the fence or climb over it.

It would be best to keep the dog in the house or in a closed enclosure - this will protect the bitch from unwanted mating in the event that strange males sneak into the yard .

Another problem that owners of bitches in heat face is stains that remain on carpets, upholstered furniture and other things. To avoid this, it is recommended to wear special panties for females in heat or diapers that fit the dog during the emptying period.

CAREFULLY!

During heat, it is necessary to stop training classes, especially if they take place in a group.

Owners of breeding bitches should take into account one more important nuance: even if the dog has already been bred to a suitable partner, it is necessary to monitor it as carefully as before until the end of the emptying.

It happens that bitches who have already had too much fun run away and mate with just anyone.

In this case, a mixed litter may appear, in which there will be both purebred babies and mixed-breed puppies. However, during activation, both will be rejected.

How to prevent unwanted consequences of estrus

The greatest danger is the accidental mating of a small dog with a large male. Subsequently, large puppies are formed in the dog’s body, precluding independent delivery. This situation requires consultation with a specialist to develop pregnancy management tactics.

For your information! A female intended for breeding, after mating with an outbred male, is forever deprived of the right to participate in maintaining the purity of the pedigree line; she cannot be used to improve the breed.

It is possible to prevent unwanted mating only by completely eliminating the bitch’s contact with dogs of the opposite sex.

You can avoid mating by eliminating any contact

Duration

The main question that interests all owners of females is how long does estrus last in dogs? Regardless of the breed, all dogs, from the miniature dachshund to the large shepherd, estrus lasts about 20-22 days.

The first eight days the bitch is not ready for fertilization and often avoids any contact with the cables. By the ninth day, the female becomes ready for mating, and within 7–8 days peak sexual activity is observed. Then activity drops, and the female's chances of becoming pregnant decrease.

To better understand how estrus proceeds and when favorable days for mating occur, let’s look at periods of estrus in dogs.

1. Proestrus is the first stage during the estrus period. It lasts about eight days from the start. During this period, heavy bleeding is observed. They can be seen everywhere the dog has been. Therefore, it is worth limiting the radius of movement or using special underwear. For the first eight days, the bitch is not ready for mating, so she may be aggressive or, conversely, depressed.
2. Estrus is the second stage and lasts about 7–8 days after proestrus. The female begins to peak sexual activity. This can be noticed by certain signs, for example, the bitch begins to move her tail to the side, whine, and lie on her stomach.
3. Diestrus - the third and final period of estrus lasts several days. The female ceases to feel interest in males and becomes more and more passive about mating. During this period, you should not breed a female, especially if it is a purebred dog such as a dachshund, cocker spaniel, labrador or shepherd.

The period between heats is called anestrus. A healthy young dog should come into heat twice a year. Older dogs gradually enter estrus once a year. If this happens more or less frequently, you should contact your veterinarian.

On what day of heat should you breed?

Days 11-15 of estrus are considered the most suitable for mating. Usually, these days are when ovulation occurs, that is, the time when a bitch can become pregnant.

However, to more accurately determine the best time for mating, the individual characteristics of the dog should also be taken into account.

Basic rules of mating:

• Adult animals that are approved for breeding and have passed the necessary medical tests are allowed to be mated.
• It is desirable that the male be better than the female in appearance or, at a minimum, match her in this parameter.
• It is necessary in advance, even before mating, to discuss with the owner of the male dog all issues regarding payment for mating and registration of future puppies.
• Before mating, the animals are not fed, but they are given proper walking.
• Before taking the dogs to the place where the mating will take place, you need to introduce them to each other and let them socialize a little. At the same time, if one of them does not behave very kindly towards their partner, it is necessary to put a muzzle on him.
• Dogs can be knitted either freestyle or by hand. The first is preferable, since it imitates natural conditions. To do this, you just need to leave the male and female in a separate room, giving them the opportunity to act independently. If the dog is already untied, then he will be able to handle everything just fine on his own.
• In the same case, if something doesn’t work out for the dogs, you will have to knit them by hand. In this case, the owner of the bitch must hold his pet by the collar with one hand and under the belly with the other, not allowing her to wriggle out. At this time, the owner of the male dog must guide and encourage his dog.
• After the “castle” has been formed, it is necessary to ensure that the dogs stand with their backs turned to each other or standing slightly sideways. At this time, you cannot disturb them or, especially, try to separate them.
• After the mating has taken place, it will be necessary to fill out documents and, if necessary, negotiate payment terms. Usually, they either pay for the breeding immediately or give away 1-2 puppies later after the bitch has fed them. However, depending on the circumstances, different payment options are possible.
• Regardless of whether the first mating was successful or not, a control should be carried out 1-2 days after it.

It is not recommended to have an untied male and female: one of the partners must be more experienced.

Metamorphoses in the body of a bitch during estrus

How is the first heat going? In dogs, it consists of 4 sequential stages:

Stage 1 – proestrus. Lasts from a week to 10 days. Initial signs of estrus are noted: there is additional blood flow to the genitals, they enlarge, the vulva swells, and scanty bleeding is noticed. The dog can “drip” around the apartment, so you can put special underpants on it or keep it in a separate room. The first day of estrus may pass completely unnoticed or be noticeable only to a very attentive owner.

Here the dog is not ready to mate, although it flirts with males. Explanation - there is no ovulation yet. Outwardly, some excitability of the animal is manifested; playfulness can be replaced by disobedience and vice versa. While walking, he may mark different places with urine.

Stage 2 – estrus. This is already the period of immediate heat, when ovulation occurs (conditionally from the second day from the beginning of the period). Approximately occurs 1.5 weeks after the first spotting was detected. It is now that the bitch begins to be interested in males with reciprocity. Mating can happen once, and the bitch can continue to be attracted to males further. This must be taken into account when you need to get a clean litter from high-breed dogs.

The landmark of this period is the clearing of the bitch’s discharge – red turns into light pink, and their quantity decreases. The vulva swells even more. When a male approaches, the female freezes, raises her pelvis, reflexively moves her tail to the side and tightens the loop.

Stage 3 – metaestrus. Lasts about a decade and is characterized by the end of estrus. The discharge disappears, the bitch does not allow more males to approach her, the vulva decreases in size.

If fertilization does not occur, the body gradually enters a state of rest. Sometimes a false pregnancy may occur due to an excess of the “pregnancy hormone” (as progesterone is called). Ideally, everything goes away on its own, otherwise you should seek help from a veterinarian.

Stage 4 – anestrus or period of sexual rest. The duration of this period reaches up to 150 days (about 5 months). This is the period of the dog's normal lifestyle.

How do you know when a dog is ready for breeding?

The following signs indicate that the bitch is ready for mating::

• The husky girl no longer chases away male dogs or snaps at them, but, on the contrary, she herself shows interest in them and allows them to approach her.
• The loop has become softer, the only hard part remains near its base.
• The previously bloody discharge became lighter, yellowish and pink in color.
• When you touch the loop or lower your hand onto the pet’s croup, it moves its tail to the side.

Some bitches go into heat without bloodshed, and therefore it is impossible to determine their readiness for mating by the color of their discharge..

In this case, it is recommended to focus on other signs, such as attitude towards male dogs or reaction to touching a loop.

In the same case, if the owner has doubts about the readiness of the pet for mating, he can take her to the clinic, where specialists, using a special analysis, will be able to determine whether the time has come for mating or not.

Pregnancy

Puppies are gestated for about 9 weeks; a significant decrease or increase in this period is a reason to consult a specialist. In general, pregnancy proceeds calmly and does not require any additional care or special nutrition.

On the contrary, it is recommended not to change your pet’s diet, as this may harm her, but it is worth adding foods containing protein to it, and after a month spent in pregnancy, increase the portion by 10%. Another important point is mobility.

Many owners limit the bitch in this or, on the contrary, do not change the degree of load, leaving it the same as it was before mating, but this cannot be done. A four-legged animal needs movement, but not to the same extent as before.

On average, a husky has about 10 babies for the first time, but no one can tell you exactly how many puppies are born to a husky, since this is individual for each individual. Experience shows that individuals of this breed have from 1 to 15 babies. If you want to know the number of offspring more accurately, it is better to contact a specialist and perform an ultrasound.

Diet of a nursing husky

In the first month of pregnancy, the dog does not need a sudden change in diet or an increase in the amount of food. From the fourth week of pregnancy, you need to start increasing the amount of protein food by about 10% every week. It is also necessary to give her mineral and vitamin supplements, fresh vegetables and herbs.
If the bitch ate branded dog food before pregnancy, then there is no need to suddenly switch her to natural food. It is better to start giving her puppy food or special food for pregnant dogs.

At the sixth week the bitch is fed 3 times a day, and from the seventh week - 4 times. Starting from the eighth week of pregnancy, you need to exclude meat from the diet, replacing it with sea fish (you need to give it one and a half times more than meat). From the ninth week until 3-4 days after birth, you need to stop giving the dog fish and reduce the amount of food by about 25%. In the last days before giving birth, the dog is fed often, but in small portions, the number of feedings at this time is 4-6 times.

About a day before the onset of labor, the dog itself refuses food. In this case, there is no need to force her to eat.

Question answer

Question: Should a dog be spayed before the first heat, during or after?

At what age should a dog be spayed if she doesn’t need puppies and doesn’t want to go through “empty” heats over and over again? All experts agree on one opinion - the dog must be healthy and properly trained, and age does not really matter. Early sterilization before the first heat is only available to an excellent surgeon with extensive experience, because... The younger the dog, the more difficult it is to find its ovaries.

During heat, dogs are not sterilized to avoid sudden hormonal changes and disruptions. There are also risks (minimal, but there are) that during the period of estrus there will be difficulties in the effect of anesthesia and its tolerance.

After the first heat, sterilization is also carried out - on a general basis.

Question: How many times a year does a dog go into heat?

Typically, heat in dogs occurs once or twice every year. It all depends on the size of the animal, breed and health status.

Question: Why are “breakdowns” of estrus not recommended, i.e. taking hormonal medications during active sexual estrus?

The peculiarity of hormonal regulation in cats and dogs is such that sudden hormonal changes and disturbances provoke various pathologies of the genital organs, including purulent inflammations, tumors, etc. Taking medications that interrupt estrus in its active phase is possible, but for this there must be a serious reason or indication for health reasons. And although it’s up to the owner to decide whether to interrupt or not, the veterinarian must explain all the possible risks from such hormonal experiments.

At what age does the first one begin?

A husky's first heat usually occurs at the age of 8-12 months . However, due to heredity or individual characteristics, in some bitches it may begin a little earlier or a little later.

Owners of husky girls need to take into account that the onset of the first heat is evidence that the bitch has reached puberty, but it does not mean that the bitch needs to be bred immediately.

On the contrary, early matings are extremely harmful to the health of the pet and its physical development.

The first heat can begin in a dog at any age after changing teeth, that is, from about 6 months.

How does estrus proceed and how many days does it last: temporary features

To understand how many days a dog is in heat, consider the phases of the sexual cycle.

Onset or proestrus

A time of great changes in the animal’s body: a large rush of blood enters the birth canal and uterine horns, the vaginal wall thickens. The bloody secretion from the loop becomes richer every day, acquiring a bright red color. The duration of the first phase is approximately 7-10 days. Let's remember the statistics!

The bitch actively flirts with males, but will not let them get close. Using a human analogy, this is a candy-bouquet time, when a beauty makes eyes, flirts, but there is nothing to seriously count on yet.

Sexual heat or estrus

The eggs mature and are ready for fertilization. The discharge becomes mucous in nature, the loop enlarges until it wraps around itself and becomes loose. The bitch comes into heat and is ready to mate. She clearly demonstrates her desire to others: when she sees a male dog, she takes positions convenient for sexual intercourse and curls her tail to one side. This immoral behavior lasts from 4 to 13 days

If you are not planning to breed, you need to triple your caution during this phase.

Do not under any circumstances resort to medicinal methods to interrupt or prevent sexual heat! Hormonal drugs cause irreparable harm to a dog's health, causing the development of cancerous tumors! It’s better to wait until it’s over and seriously think about sterilizing the animal.

Post-estrus or metaestrus

The swelling of the vulva gradually subsides and the discharge stops. But the likelihood of conception remains. In the case of mating, the body begins to prepare for subsequent births.

Sterilization and castration

It is best to spay a female dog from about six months to one and a half years. Earlier sterilization can lead to her developing health problems, and sterilization at the age of over 8-9 years is very poorly tolerated by the body of an aging dog.

A male dog should be castrated after the onset of puberty and, in any case, not earlier than a year. Early castration at 3-4 months is fraught with problems in the future. But it is also undesirable to castrate after 8–9 years of age due to the deterioration of health typical for this age.

ATTENTION! Before scheduled sterilization or castration, you need to conduct a thorough examination of the animal and pass the necessary tests to make sure that the dog is healthy.

The owner of a bitch who decides to get puppies from his pet must closely monitor her health and provide proper care and feeding, and, if necessary, follow all the veterinarian’s recommendations. Only in this case, his dog will easily endure pregnancy and will be able to give birth and raise wonderful healthy puppies without complications - worthy representatives and successors of the glorious husky family.

Why is there no heat?

With good general health and the state of the reproductive and hormonal systems, the dog's first heat occurs at the established usual times and then repeats with a certain cyclical regularity. If the dog is older than 18 months, and the first heat has not come, you should consult a veterinarian to find out the reason for this delay.

The main reasons for the delay/absence of the first heat:

• poor living conditions, improper or insufficient feeding;
• disruption of hormonal regulation of the reproductive system;
• congenital disorders in the development and structure of the genital organs;
• ovarian dysfunction (hypofunction, lack of appropriate hormones during the appropriate period);
• dysfunction of the pituitary gland and/or thyroid gland;
• tumors and/or other neoplasms, cysts of the pelvic organs or directly on the ovaries;
• endocrine pathologies;
• chronic inflammatory processes in the uterus;
• hermaphroditism (for example, when underdeveloped testes are found instead of ovaries).

Shedding requires attention

It happens that the owner is to blame for the onset of unscheduled molting of the animal.

Excessive cleanliness forces some owners to frequently wash their dog with shampoo. This disrupts the balance of the chemical composition of the skin, which greatly increases shedding. Remember: wash with shampoo no more than once a month! Washing your dog every day will not get rid of the unpleasant odor; the work of the sebaceous glands increases and more subcutaneous fat is released. As a result, the dog's skin becomes dirty faster. This is where other disorders arise: the skin’s vulnerability to the appearance of parasites and fungus. These factors increase the degree of shedding.

Consider the temperature in the apartment. Temperatures above 26 degrees are uncomfortable for the animal. Stuffiness and artificial lighting are the reasons for the renewal of an apartment dog's coat more often than is provided for by nature.

And finally, about visiting the veterinarian. Beloved pets can experience stressful situations. For example, when traveling, moving, visiting unknown places. Perhaps the increase in the intensity of hair loss in a dog is the result of stress.

Phases of the sexual cycle

Estrus in dogs (sexual cycle) is divided into 4 periods:

• Phase 1. Beginning of estrus (proestrus)
  - the phase averages 6–9 days. During this period, the bitch changes her behavior, she shows interest in male dogs, but she does not let them get close to her. Dogs try to lick up bloody secretions, so it can be difficult to track them.
• Phase 2. Hunting (estrus)
  - this stage, which lasts from 4 to 9 days, is characterized by the dog being completely ready for intercourse. Bitches that had heavy bleeding in the first phase become weaker and more fluid in the estrus stage. Ovulation can occur at the beginning of this phase or on days 2–4.
• Phase 3. Recovery (diestrus)
  - this period takes 8 to 10 days. This is the time when the bitch does not want to accept any more males. Swelling of the vulva is subsiding. Bloody discharge stops, but mucous discharge may appear. It is during this period, whether the animal is fertilized or not, its level of progesterone, the so-called pregnancy hormone, increases. In this regard, some bitches show signs of false pregnancy, which, as a rule, disappear on their own after a few days.
• Phase 4. Period of sexual rest (anestrus)
  . It continues until the next start of the hunt. Its duration depends on many factors: time of year, feeding conditions, maintenance, breed itself, etc. In most cases, hunting takes place with a break of 6 months.

The intervals between the phases of the reproductive cycle are stable for 6 years, then the rest period and the time interval between estrus increases.

After the age of eight, dogs no longer tolerate pregnancy and feeding puppies well. For a breeding bitch, the eighth year of her life is the last when she is bred to produce offspring. Frequent births are harmful, so it is believed that she should have no more than 6 litters.

As a rule, emptying lasts 3 weeks and includes the first 3 phases of the cycle, but cases from 9 to 30 days are possible.

First time

It is impossible to name the exact time of a dog’s first sexual activity. The process is tied to certain hormonal changes in the maturing body. But you should expect this from the moment the puppy’s teeth are completely replaced. This usually occurs at 6-10 months.

The standard duration is 21 days, with slight deviations caused by the individual characteristics of the breed and the specific organism.

But the very first time everything can go much faster, since the body is just trying its hand. But all external and behavioral signs that will appear throughout life will already appear. Therefore, it is worth keeping a special journal to note the time, duration and all characteristic symptoms and features.