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Adopting a new dog is always fun and exciting, but it also means taking the time to learn more about your new companion. In the case of female dogs, this includes knowing when yours will go into heat. The age a dog goes into heat won’t always be the same for different breeds, so you need to figure out when your dog breed will experience one so you’re prepared.
If you have a Labradoodle, you can expect your dog’s first heat to happen between 6 and 9 months of age (although some dogs don’t have a first heat until between 12 and 14 months).1 What can you expect when this happens? Keep reading to find out!
A Labradoodle’s Heat Cycle Explained
What exactly is a heat cycle? Well, heat (sometimes referred to as “in season”) is the phase of the reproductive cycle when female dogs are fertile, receptive, and able to get pregnant. The heat cycle is how long a heat lasts and varies by dog.
For a Labradoodle, the first heat usually occurs around 6 to 9 months. Heats typically happen twice a year and last approximately 2 to 4 weeks. So, there are 6 to 7 months between each of a Labradoodle’s heat cycles. Of course, the length of a heat cycle can vary by canine—your pet’s cycle may only last 7 days or end up being a day or two longer than average.
What Occurs When a Labradoodle Is in Heat?
A dog’s heat happens during the part of the female reproductive cycle known as estrous, when eggs are produced that are ready for fertilization. When a heat hits, your Labradoodle will show behavioral and physical changes that indicate what’s happening. Some of the signs your Labradoodle is experiencing heat include:
- The vulva will appear swollen.
- Discharge and blood from the vulva will likely appear.
- Your dog may be more affectionate than normal or could go the other way and be more distant than is typical.
- There may be more licking of the genitals.
- If there are male dogs in the home, the female will pay more attention to them.
- Your pet may lack energy.
Caring for a Labradoodle in Heat
The most important thing to remember when caring for a Labradoodle in heat is that if you aren’t looking to have puppies, you must keep your Labradoodle away from male dogs! Other than keeping your pet separate from males during this time, keep feeding your dog its regular diet along with lots of fresh water. Also, ensure your Labradoodle is still getting enough daily exercise, so you can help ease stress.
One other note on caring for a Labradoodle in heat—there is an issue known as pyometra, or uterine infection, that can happen if your dog goes into heat too often. That’s something to keep an eye on; however, you can avoid this and unwanted pregnancy by having your pet spayed before its first heat.
The Importance of Spaying
There are many benefits to having your dog spayed other than avoiding pregnancy. There are also a few risks, but the benefits far outweigh them. Take a look below to find out both!
- Less risk of ovarian, breast, and uterine cancers
- Less risk of developing endocrine disorders (like diabetes)
- Not contributing to canine overpopulation
- Eliminating heat cycles and all the behaviors that come along with them, like false pregnancy
- Inflammation or infection of the incision site after surgery
- Complications such as hemorrhage
- Problems with anesthesia (more likely to happen in dogs with underlying medical issues or older canines)
- Surgical incision reopening
The good news about these risks is that there’s only a small chance of them happening. You can also avoid some of these risks by keeping your dog from licking or chewing at the incision site after surgery. If you have any worries about spaying your Labradoodle, though, speak to your vet about the process so you can learn more.
Conclusion
Female Labradoodles typically go into heat between 6 and 9 months of age, though some do not until between 12 and 14 months. A Labradoodle’s heat usually lasts around 2 to 4 weeks and happens twice a year. You’ll be able to tell if your Labradoodle is in heat when it begins experiencing physical and behavioral changes.
You can avoid your Labradoodle going into heat, though, by having your pet spayed. This prevents unwanted pregnancy and reduces the risk of several diseases occurring later! Speak to your vet about when best to have your dog spayed.
Featured Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock
