Comments for Female Schnauzer on Heat - need some advice please

Apr 05, 2010
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Facts about Female Schnauzers on Heat
by: Linda and Max

The average female schnauzer has her first menstrual cycle (called being "on heat") cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months.

If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If she's 14-months old and still hasn't't been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian.

The average heat lasts three weeks. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks.

Most female schnauzers have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It's quite typical to be "in heat" twice a year.

Your schnauzer can get pregnant ONLY when in heat. If you want to breed from your bitch, the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle.

Please note: when she's in heat, she will usually permit any male dog to mount her! (Few females, will accept a male when they're not in heat.)

She can get pregnant in her first cycle.
However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early.

Walk your schnauzer with care when she is on heat. She has no problem with the exercise, but she's a walking magnet for male dogs!

Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones! You can't trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby.

Regarding having your female schnauzer spayed, people used to be told to let her go through at least one heat cycle or let them have one litter.

Now many veterinarians are spaying much younger -speak to your local vet.

Once your dog has been spayed, she will no longer come on to heat and can no longer have puppies.

Hope this is helpful,
Linda and Max