The most important thing about puberty in puppies

Puberty in puppies occurs in the period from six months and can last up to two and two and a half years. Usually puppies reach puberty at the age of 6-10 months. But a lot depends on the characteristics of the breed and the size of the pet, its health and even the conditions of detention.

When does a puppy start her first heat? In a small decorative dog, the first estrus can occur at five to six months. If we are talking about a large breed dog, the first estrus usually falls on a year and a half.

If your young ward has turned two years old, and there has not yet been a heat, there are two options. Either you just didn’t notice the heat (it can be unexpressed), or your ward has health problems that it’s time to discuss with the veterinarian. It is better to consult a specialist to dispel all doubts.

A time reference can be the age when the mother of your ward first went into heat. Be sure to ask the breeder about this. A puppy’s estrus usually starts often at the same time.

Often the first estrus is unexpressed and short-lived. Among the purely physiological signs, bloody discharge in the urine, an increase in the loop, and mucous discharge from the loop with an admixture of blood can be distinguished. When touching the body, the young dog moves the tail away and tries to raise the pelvis. She may stop responding to commands, eat worse, get irritated, or, on the contrary, be overly affectionate.

Males do not have a clear physiological state that indicates signs of puberty in a puppy. But behavioral features can become a warning to the owner. If young males do not obey you, are interested in females during walks, enter into skirmishes with yesterday’s playmates and find out which of them is in charge here, then your ward is growing up.

The estrus in a puppy indicates the ability to reproduce offspring. But you should not focus on the first estrus: the dog’s reproductive system is not yet fully formed, and the puppy is not strong enough.

If you plan to become a breeder, keep a calendar with the dates and characteristics of your pet’s estrus. Plan the first mating not earlier than the dog is one and a half to two years old. In the case of puppies of large breeds, it is better to wait until two and a half or even three years. Estrus in girls occurs twice a year, so it is not necessary to plan a mating before the third heat.

The body of a young dog, whether it is a girl or a boy, needs time to grow and get stronger. The reproductive system needs to complete harmonious development. Only a strong, adult dog is able to give healthy offspring without compromising their own well-being.

If you are thinking about breeding puppies, but still in doubt, talk to experienced specialists at exhibitions and kennel clubs. So you can learn firsthand about the pitfalls awaiting you. At the age of nine months, the puppy can be shown to an expert from the kennel club to determine the breeding value. Knitting dogs, looking for a mate for them, nursing puppies will have to be done on a regular basis. But your pet will be chosen for mating only in case of excellent health, victories at exhibitions, and an interesting pedigree.

If you need not a parent dog, but a friend and companion, we advise you to think about castration and sterilization in a timely manner. If you subject the pet to the appropriate procedure at the age of about a year, he will perfectly tolerate the operation. Uncastrated and unsterilized pets give owners a lot of trouble, from disobedience to surprise in the form of unwanted offspring.

Sterilization should not be done during estrus, it is dangerous for the health of a young dog. The most suitable time for the procedure will help you determine the veterinarian.

Please note that the age of 12 months is the time for a scheduled appointment with a veterinarian. It is necessary to carry out preventive measures – deworming and complex vaccination. It is important to be aware not only of the process of puberty in puppies, but also of the health of your wards in general.

Puberty is perceived differently by pets. Someone behaves as usual, others show character and can even become aggressive. Some howl, do not want to eat. Young males get into a fight with other males on a walk.

Treat your pet’s behavior with understanding. He does not want to offend you or annoy you, just at this moment the call of nature and hormones make your ward behave differently. Do not scold the dog, try to devote more time to joint leisure, games.

It is important to remember about security measures. If puberty in puppies is accompanied by unwanted behavior, walk in deserted places, closed yards, where a four-legged friend is less likely to encounter relatives. Solitude will help the matured girl dog avoid excessive attention of the opposite sex.

Do not remove the leash when walking. An instinctive impulse can cause your pet to run away from you. During estrus, young females are more vulnerable to infections. Do not allow your pet to swim in ponds or wallow on the ground during this period. Experts recommend wearing elastic protective panties on the ward, which can be bought at a pet store. But for the first estrus, they are not recommended, because the dog needs to learn how to lick itself.

We wish your pets a happy and healthy life!