Brit in season

Naomi · Brit in season

Hi there,

My 8 month old is in season and this is the fist bitch we've had so I was wondering if there is a standard(ish) time for Brittany's to be in season.

I was off work all week and today noticed a change in her behaviour (she was trying to mount our male dog) so I brought her to the vet who confirmed that she is in season. She couldn't tell me if she was at the start etc. I haven't seen any other changes in her behaviour apart from one spot of blood on leaving the vets.

Has anyone any advice or help, if so I'd be grateful.

Naomi :(

Annie as admin

Hi Naomi
It's a pity you weren't able to watch for the onset - usually swelling of the vulva and spotting of blood. I usually reckon 3 weeks from the blood spots, but to be honest, on a first season it could be any length. You'll just have to wait and see I'm afraid. So it's walks on lead and out when no-one else is about for a wee while.
You had better be extra careful if you have a male dog too - is he entire?
Sorry to be negative Surprised

Annie

Naomi

Hi Anne,

Yes he's entire, I don't think they got up to anything because I've been off work all week and she was still sitting down when he approached her from behind. But to be safe the vet gave her an injection anyway.

She's not happy about being on the lead for walks but it is an extendable one so it's not too bad. Hubby is out walking her now while it's quiet and we're going to keep them apart for the next 3 weeks.

How will I know when she's finished?

Thanks

Naomi

Tache

Hi Naomi
If you goggle/ easysearch (using the fundraising search engine for the club Wink

!) 'dog heat cycle' or similar you will get a wealth of information. It is not an exact science, but Brits are no different to other dog breeds in this respect i understand. Question

My general understanding is as follows:
The Proestrus phase is the start and is marked by enlarged swollen vulva, changes in behaviour and the start of bleeding(taches nipples also enlarge!)Her behaviour is decidely odd even for a Brit Laughing

She gets very agitated,anxious and likes to rub and mount everything she possibly can!!
This phase lasts4-9 days.
The Estrus/Oestrus phase is the ovulation phase there is less discharge and it turns a watery colour and can have a yellow tinge, the dog becomes calmer and servile(ready to be mounted!)
4-13 days
Metestrus is the end of this cycle and everything returns to normal both physically and emotionally!So the cessation of discharge and reduction of the swollen genitles. Then there is the Dormus phase(resting)As these cycles usually last 6 months including the dormant phase you should get two a year.
A good idea is to note when the proestrus phase started count 21 days forward(rough length of fertile period) then 150 days ahead from there to warn you when it may happen again!! Hope this helps but as Annie said it is three weeks on a lead as brits become even more deaf than usual during this phase if something takes their fancy Embarassed

!!!! jenny

Annie as admin

And they are unpredicatable as regards when to mate them - I have had them mated at 8 days, 12, days, 14, days, 17 days and 21 days! All with puppies!!! So keep them apart! Twisted Evil

You might find that she will sit down and snap at your dog towards the end of the season but don't trust them on their own together even then. I'm afraid the date of it ending is very much a 'suck it and see' time till you are absolutely sure. Rolling Eyes

This is why I advise my puppy buyers not to have both an entire dog and a bitch unless a) they won't mind too much if they do mate and produce pups or b) if they do mind or the pedigrees aren't lining up they either spay the bitch or put her on Delvosteron to prevent seasons. I don't like neutering males. Embarassed

- but that's just me. Wink

I usually spay my bitches when they reach 7 years old to help prevent malignancies and pyometra. Annie

Naomi

Hi thanks for all your help.

I'm just going to have to keep them apart as we don't want Beagle/Brittany crosses ... I can't even imagine the chaos! She's obviously in the first part of her season so I'll just have to keep a close eye on her and maybe a visit back to the vets in 3/4 weeks to see how she is going, they want to see her then anyway.

Thanks again

Naomi

Annie as admin

Hmm could be yet ANOTHER designer breed Wink

BREAGLES???????
or BRITTLES????

Naomi

LOL Being a beagle owner and lover (cos he is the best beagle in the world ever... honest Wink

) I'd probably have a brit beagle cross but I don't think many others would!

Gunner (my beagle) is an excellent scent hound but suffers from Beagle deafness which is far worse than a Brits ... in my experience. He really does leg it if the mood takes him.

Even in the house if Mr Beagle doesn't want to come he will just sit looking at me ... and as for fetching ... I'm sure he's thinking ... get yourself you lazy bugger!

Ahhh Dogs don't ya just love them.

Naomi Twisted Evil

Annie as admin