Dog Owner's Manual › Chapter 7: Dog Growth & Development › Sexual Maturity in Dogs ›

Sexual Maturity in Dogs

The age of sexual maturity varies from breed to breed and from individual to individual. The range is as wide as 9 to 15 months for females and 7 to 12 months for males. Females typically go into heat (estrus) for 3-week periods twice yearly. While in estrus, the canine is receptive to the advances of males and is capable of breeding. It is important to keep the female confined or under close observation during these times, because she can attract male dogs from great distances.

Male dogs have no "cycle." They can breed year-round and will act whenever they encounter a receptive female. Male sexual maturity may also manifest itself in leg humping and in the lifting of the leg during urination. (See Spaying and Neutering.)

expert tipEXPERT TIP: As with human adolescents, dogs entering puberty often experience sometimes difficult personality changes. Extra exercise, plus spaying/neutering before puberty, can help mitigate such difficulties.

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Chapter 7: Dog Growth & Development

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Sexual Maturity in dog

barked by abdul ahmed on May 6, 2008 AT 10:03 pm PDT
1 person found this comment helpful.
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my miniature schnauzer needs a boyfriend !!

barked by tamara herrera on Jul 12, 2008 AT 8:41 am PDT
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my rottweiler germanshepard mix needs smae breed mix boyfriend

barked by natasha on Oct 12, 2008 AT 2:08 pm PDT
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I'm looking for a Male Griffon to breed with. I'll be in the mood around May of this year.

barked by Maybelle on Feb 1, 2009 AT 6:31 pm PST
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We need a purebred siberian husky female so are dog can mate he keeps trying to get it on with our little dog.He is 14 months old i live in hamilton ontario. shelley-460@hotmail.com

barked by Shelley Rutledge on May 10, 2009 AT 3:58 pm PDT
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hey u think siberian husky can live in the Philippines

barked by Logan Penuela on May 24, 2009 AT 10:20 pm PDT
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my cane corso need a male friend who interested.

barked by diamond brooks on Oct 21, 2009 AT 7:28 pm PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Dog Owner's Manual is a basic guide to dog care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides dog owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!