Heat Cycle

Dakotazeb

Dakotazeb

Well-known member
Since I had my last two females spayed just before and just after their first heat cycle I don't have a lot of experience in this area. I decided to wait until my current female Brittany is about 2 years of age before having her spayed. She didn't have her first heat cycle until she was a little over a year old (mid July). I was expecting she might have her second cycle in January but still nothing to date. From what I read a female can range anywhere from 4-11 months between cycles. What's been your experience?

I have some NSTRA trials coming up in April and May I want to run her in and wish her next cycle would be over by then.
 
westksbowhunter said:
Dogs that are trained hard and athletic tend to have one heat cycle a year. Common with field trial dogs. Most of mine tend to not have a cycle until after their 2nd birthday.
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That is interesting. I have found that my dogs, which hunt a lot and also when they are in training tend to have longer periods between cycles. My latest dog who is 2 has only had one heat cycle that I know of. But she was in intense training for 4 -5 months and then in the middle of hunting all fall so it might have effected her cycle. Her mother which I also own will cycle exactly six months after she finishes whelping a litter! But if I give her a cycle or two off her cycles lengthen out as well. My oldest just went into a heat cycle and I bred her but the 2 year old didn't follow behind her. I thought for sure she would since they spend almost every minute of the day together! All I can say is that dogs are different.

Zeb any reason why you are insistent on having her spayed? Lots of research out now that shows how hunting dogs and those that are active tend to have more knee and hip problems due to spaying and neutering.
 
goldenboy said:
Zeb any reason why you are insistent on having her spayed? Lots of research out now that shows how hunting dogs and those that are active tend to have more knee and hip problems due to spaying and neutering.
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I have never intended to breed any of my females. Bree is an allergy dog and I don't think that is a trait I'd want to pass on. I also don't want to deal with the cycles.
 
Dakotazeb said:
I have never intended to breed any of my females. Bree is an allergy dog and I don't think that is a trait I'd want to pass on. I also don't want to deal with the cycles.
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Heat cycles never bothered me. It is generally a bigger deal for the owners than the dog. Just keep on hunting and training. Males are in heat 360 days a year.
 
In over 25 years I have learned,,,,,nothing. Any time you try to predict a heat cycle, they will make a fool of you more often than not. Most females will have a 6 month range between cycles. But that can vary greatly. The ones that follow that clock are easier to plan things. But can ruin a trial career LOL. My dog Loren for example, has ran 5 trials at almost 7 years old, due to heat in spring and fall.. Some follow a 9 month, some a year. Average is 6 months. Even a 6 month girl can fool you and go 5 one time and 7 the next.

My River dog had a litter once where she went 15 months between cycles. Now that one drove people nuts waiting for a pup of hers LOL. As far as spay, that can pretty much be done any time. But they typically want them to be done with heat. I am guessing that's what your after? 30-60 days after heat and take her in?

And don't think a litter changes schedules. I tried that with Loren, and it never worked. Others it does.

I have one here that is a year old and has not had her bloom yet either. Her Mom is Loren, who was a 6 month clock. Go figure LOL.

Last, don't buy in to that "dogs trained hard will go in heat once a year" story LOL. I can shoot big holes in that concept all day long LOL.
 
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So what we have learned or know about the subject is that you can't count on mother nature for anything in relation to dog cycles! Ha, lest we think we are the smart ones. I agree it sure is hard to promise or predict litters to potential buyers when we rely on mother nature. But I believe that good things come to those that wait!

As long as we are on the subject, how long do you guys usually wait before trying a first breeding? 10 days 11 days? Do you do progesterone checks? (That costs money!)
 
LOL. Pretty much. To potential leads, I always just give an approximate now. Give or take a month :).

I have dealt with repro specialists, and "If" you detect first spotting. Day 12 is the golden day for most. That too can vary. When I get close I keep them on a white sheet. Then I can catch the beginning easy. During the cycle the blood will start to dwindle, and turn from a red to a light pink to almost clear at peak estrus. If it is a couple days earlier, say 10. And the bitch is flagging, flirting, and standing. Plus she is not bleeding much. I go for it. Then repeat in a couple days. They may flag early too so I don't tie them up till I see the other signs as well. In a perfect world day 12 and 14 are the ticket.

All that said, when have you ever had a female figured out? :)
 
Yep. I have not used it though.

https://www.1800petmeds.com/Megestrol-prod10416.html

Megestrol is a synthetic chemical similar to the female hormone progesterone and is used to postpone estrus (female's heat cycle) and help end a false pregnancy. Megestrol requires a prescription from your veterinarian, and is sold per tablet.
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There is also an injection called Delvosteron that appears to be safer than the neds noted above. I need to talk to my vet and get some advice. I'll post here what I find out.
 
I would caution the hormones. I had a gal get addisons after messing with that stuf. And also go in to autoimmune reaction. It cost me 9 grand and a dead field champion. I can't exactly say that. But I am not the only one. That said, I do know a couple people who had 0 issues as well. The best thing is letting nature take it's coarse. If it's a huge problem, and no desire to have pups, just spay her.
 
FCSpringer said:
I would caution the hormones. I had a gal get addisons after messing with that stuf. And also go in to autoimmune reaction. It cost me 9 grand and a dead field champion. I can't exactly say that. But I am not the only one. That said, I do know a couple people who had 0 issues as well. The best thing is letting nature take it's coarse. If it's a huge problem, and no desire to have pups, just spay her.
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Ken, I hear you. Think I'll just let it go. But here's my predicament. Bree's first heat cycle came in July 2017 just after she turned a year old and she has not gone into heat since. I currently have her with a trainer her in Arizona getting her ready to run some NSTRA trials. She will be with the trainer until the 13th or 20th of April. Then I head back to SD and have trials lined up the last weekend in April and the first two weekends in May. Perfect for her just coming from training. That's why I'd hate to have her come into heat right after I get her back from the trainer and have to miss the trials.
 
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