Dog in Heat

[beckie]

Hey, AManda
I am NO dog expert, by all means, just a dog lover. But, I think I remember hearing that you dont want your female dog to have babies first time they are in heat, better to wait. Like I said, I am not advising, only what I think I heard. It actually makes sense to me, nine months old andhaving a litter sounds a bit young to me, but, like I said, only grapevine info. Best of luck, sounds like some of these folks really know what they are talking about.

[Jeannie]

Hi y'all...it's me again...*chuckle*
I love this forum....

Amanda...what Harriett said is true...and a friend of mine had a bitch that bred on the 19th day!...so you have to figure 21 days of heat.

If you want to show, I do believe that the bitch can not be spayed. I'm not into AKC and you'd have to review the rules....

As far as breeding her, let me emphasize several things....

A responsible GSD breeder will get OFA certification on hips and elbow BEFORE breeding. It is unfair to dog and buyers to breed
a dysplastic dog, which increases the chances of producing more dysplastic dogs. So breeding would be after the bitch is 2 years old and has her OFA.

And...since she comes from German Show Lines...you will notice how the pedigree shows the strengths of each dog in the breed survey and also the weaknesses...it tells you the titles....If yours is in German, have someone translate it for you.

Breeding in Germany is a planned occasion, studying lines and matching to those lines that 'click'. So you will have up to the time you are ready to breed to find a suitable stud. In all probability, the breeder from whom you purchased your pup will have the information you need.

As to cycles..some bitches cycle once a year, some every 6th month and some 3 times a year....and they last 3 weeks regardless of what cycle they are. So you need to PROTECT your bitch for the 3 weeks she is in heat from other dogs.

Hope this helps...

Jeannie

[Amanda]

Originally posted by beckie
It actually makes sense to me, nine months old andhaving a litter sounds a bit young to me, but, like I said, only grapevine info.

That's correct. Angel would not be bred until she is 2 years old.

[Amanda]

Originally posted by Jeannie
A responsible GSD breeder will get OFA certification on hips and elbow BEFORE breeding. It is unfair to dog and buyers to breed
a dysplastic dog, which increases the chances of producing more dysplastic dogs. So breeding would be after the bitch is 2 years old and has her OFA.

And...since she comes from German Show Lines...you will notice how the pedigree shows the strengths of each dog in the breed survey and also the weaknesses...it tells you the titles....If yours is in German, have someone translate it for you.

Absolutely, I had already planned that. I promise I am a responsible dog owner, just don't have a lot of experience with the GSD breed itself. I do appreciate all of your advice!

And thanks for the info on the pexdigree etc, I had planned to speak with the sire's breeder soon regarding a suitable stud for Angel.

Also, Angel is inside the house with me most of the time. She is not allowed to run free as we do not have a fenced yard. She does have a dog trolley outside in the yard, but because she is in heat I have only had her on it long enough for her to go to the bathroom and I have watched her on it. Surprisingly there haven't been any dogs sniffing around here, so I'm glad about that. She stays in the house when we aren't home.

I hope noone here has gotten the impression that I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to pet ownership because that's simply not the case. Believe me, I have seen some real WINNER owners before , owners that are irresponsible, careless, and unloving. That's not me I do everything I can to keep my animals healthy and happy. That's why I sought advice regarding the heat cycle of a female. That is one area of pet ownership that I haven't experienved yet.

Thanks!

[Jeannie]

Amanda...

Oh gosh, it was never my intention to assume you were not responsible.. Many people have wonderful intentions, but don't have the experience or knowledge regarding a breed, even though they opted to get that breed. Many, not only those with GSD's, think once they have a purebred, well ...they will just go ahead and breed and make lots of money. But that just is not so if you do it the way it should be done. They put no thought into it and no idea what they are doing.

Many people buy breeds they have no business owning because they are not experienced to own them and have no idea how to handle them. This is where you have so many 'accidents'.

I'm just on my soapbox venting, Amanda, none of this is pointed at anyone in particular, and especially not you... *s*

I've met more of those than I can to admit. *shakes head* They forget that every unsound in mind and body dog they put out there, is someone's heartache. It also fills the Animal Pounds where thousands and thousands are euthenized every month.

You will have many happy moments with Angel, they are like no other breed. For the most part, I was just putting info out there. Many people have no idea that OFA exists, or how German pedigrees work. It was meant to be informative. *s* And that OFA is not just for German Shepherds but ALL breeds. *s*
I'm here with 25+ years of breeding and training experience.
When I used to do classes, I never assumed anyone knew anything. In fact, my first lesson was without the dogs. I found that worked out really well.... **s*

So if I can offer anyone any help..y'all just ask...and If I don't have the answer, I'll find out the answer from those that know...*s*

Jeannie

[janet]

Amanda, my hubby said there is a belt on the market for dogs, kinda like a chasity belt??? So your darling Angel could relieve herself and not have any boyfriends, take advantage of her.

janet

[Jeannie]

Hi y'all...

If any of you would like a wonderful catalog for pet stuff....and lots of info too, go to:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

and order a free catalog.....

Jeannie

[Gina]

Dogs get their period about twice a year, and although it's different for every dog, the average time it's lasted in the dogs I've had has been about a week - maybe a little more, but not less.

To help when she's in heat (until she's fixed, if you decide to do that) there are sprays you can buy to kind of numb the smell so other dogs (male dogs) can't perceive it as much. I've been able to walk my dog every morning, as I normally do, when using the spray.
Hope this helps.

hi. Good luck with your shepard. They are, for the most part great dogs. About the heat thing, one thing I didn't see anyone mention is that dogs do not come in every month. Most dogs only come into heat every six months but shepards have a tendancy to come in every three. I had a shepard that we rescued and she was the greatest dog. Of all the dogs I had at the time she was the friendliest and had the best temperment. Unfortunately she HATED obedience work. She would obey but you could tell from her attitude that she just wasn't having any fun. She wanted to go for walks. I gave her to an elderly couple and she is thriving. (If perhaps a bit too much in the food department.) Hope you do well. Be sure to post pictures if you ever decide to have puppies.

[Sueanne]

I always had German Shepards. They are a very smart breed. No two dogs are alike even if you call them by the same name. My first German Shepard I got before my son was born and was still living in NYC. She was 1 years old when my son was born and moved to the country. She was very good with all the children and lived to be 12 years old. Replaced her with Terry 2. When Terry 2 died after 11 years I replaced her with Terry 3 but she was completely opposite. Terry 2 was a sweet and gentle dog maybe because my son was still young. Terry 3 was all alone with out children to keep her amused and was always getting in trouble. If I did not take her for a walk she would find a way to get out and go herself. Terry 2 would not leave the yard even if the gate was open. What I want to bring out dogs need alot of attention & love and they cannot replace the dog memories you have of another. I knew when I bought her at the kennel she was a rebel but I could not change her. They were all from the same blood line but different. Now that I am retired I vowed not to get another dog even though I am tempted. Don't miss all the dog hair on the carpets and all the cleaning up.