You can turn your dog over on her stomach to examine her genital area or observe her genital area from behind.
This is one of the easiest ways to tell if your dog is in heat. You may also notice the blood or discharge has a distinct smell. The strong smell is meant to attract the attention of a male dog. Some female dogs will bleed very heavily when they are in heat, while other dogs will only have minimal bleeding or discharge.
You may notice that your female dog wants to be let outside more often to urinate than she usually does. This could be a sign she is experiencing the period in her heat cycle when she is most fertile.
This is because in the wild, dogs had to fight for their mate. Your dog is acting aggressive toward other animals on instinct.
You might notice that your pup is acting “flirty,” or overly affectionate, with other dogs. If she can’t find any male dogs, she may even mount dogs (or your legs) herself.
Proestrus stage: Starts when the female dog’s vulva begins to swell and starts to spot. It is usually 9 days, but can last from 4 to 20 days. During this stage, your dog may attract males but not accept them for mating. Estrus stage: The period where the female dog can breed. This period usually lasts 9 days, and she is most fertile for the first 5 days of it. She will become more social with males and allow them to mate with her. You’ll know the fertile stage is complete when her vagina returns to its normal appearance and she no longer seeks out or accepts mates. Diestrus stage: The end of her heat cycle. She will either return to normal or develop into pregnancy. Anestrus stage: An inactive phase. No changes in behavior or appearance will occur.
As part of the testing, your vet will look for changes in cells that show your dog is ovulating. The vaginal smear can also determine your dog’s optimal breeding time.
This test is considered very accurate for determining the optimal mating time for a female dog. It is an ideal option if your female dog has a history of unsuccessful mating or if you want to be sure the female dog is ready before bringing her to a male dog for mating.
Certain dog breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia need to be x-rayed before mating. The x-rays are then sent off to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to make sure your dog is healthy enough to breed. They will look for signs of hip dysplasia, including the shape of the pelvis and the hip. If you are not sure your dog is mature enough to breed, ask your vet. Your vet should be able to tell you if your female dog is ready for breeding.
You should also confirm the male dog’s age. Most breeds should mate when they are between 1 year to 7 years old. Make sure you talk with your vet before you mate your female dog with a male dog. Your vet will clear your dog of any health issues or problems before you start the breeding process.
Do not mate your dog on her first heat cycle. Wait until she has had one to two heat cycles to mate her. This will ensure she is healthy enough for mating. Arrange for 2 matings between the dogs, 24 or 48 hours apart. This can help to increase the likelihood of your dog getting pregnant.
