Estrus in a German Shepherd - behavior, duration, mating

The German Shepherd is a dog that has gained fame and gained popularity among dog breeders due to its loyalty, as well as watchdog and hunting qualities. Some dog breeders, when choosing a female German Shepherd for themselves, do not fully understand how much work it takes to care for her, especially when she comes into heat.

Estrus is one of the most important periods in a dog’s life, indicating the onset of puberty. At this time, the animal behaves differently, which can cause anxiety to the owner. It is necessary to know how and when a German Shepherd is in heat in order to provide her with proper care.

When should I expect my first heat?

The period of puberty for a German Shepherd bitch begins when her baby teeth are completely replaced by molars . The process of changing teeth coincides with the beginning of the first estrus. This occurs when the dog reaches the age of 6-10 months.

It is possible to predict the onset of heat in a female German Shepherd. To do this, you need to pay attention to such signs as:

increased activity, display of disobedience - if a usually calm, balanced and obedient dog becomes overly active and ignores the owner’s commands, it can be assumed that the first heat is approaching;
untimely shedding - an unscheduled change of coat also indicates the onset of puberty;
increased attention from male dogs is one of the most accurate signs of the imminent onset of estrus, when other dogs begin to pester the bitch during walks;
frequent urination is an unconscious, instinctive action of a bitch in order to attract the attention of individuals of the opposite sex;
an increase in the size of the loop is evidence of the dog’s readiness for mating.

To make sure of your assumptions, if these symptoms are detected, you should blot the bitch’s loop with a napkin or paper towel - pink discharge indicates the onset of the first day of heat. During the first estrus in German Shepherds, disruptions in the cycle are typical, and therefore there is no need to wait for strict frequency. In this case, you should consult a veterinarian if estrus begins when less than 5 or more than 10 months have passed since the previous one.

Important! Full physiological maturity of the female occurs later than sexual maturity. Therefore, you need to plan mating only for the third heat - this contributes to the birth of healthy and strong offspring.

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Mating Basics

There are two types of knitting:

free;
manual.

Free mating

Free mating is usually practiced when the male dog already has mating experience. During free mating, both owners are nearby in case assistance is needed from them. But mostly breeders simply observe, since the male is already experienced and interesting to the female. Nevertheless, males without experience also often successfully mate under freestyle mating conditions.

Manual pairing

With hand knitting, the owners participate in the event from the very beginning. If this is the first mating for one of the dogs, then the presence of an experienced specialist will be required.

If the dog begins to be timid or show excessive nervousness, you should not force him to participate in the process. It is best to take the bitch out of the room to give the dog the opportunity to calm down, rest and gain strength.

There are times when a shepherd dog is too aggressive. Then the owner should put a muzzle and a short leash on her, which will help in taming her evil character. When mounting a male dog, the owner of the bitch must hold her by the collar.

If the dog is unable to begin the process, it may be worth lubricating the bitch's loop with medical Vaseline. Although sometimes the male's attempts fail due to the fact that the female has an abnormal structure of the genital organs. Only a veterinarian can help you here.

If there is a difference in height between a male or female German Shepherd, you can help by keeping the smaller partner at the right level.

When helping, be careful - do not touch the male genitals. You can cause him psychological trauma and he will refuse mating.

Duration of heat, repetitions

The duration of estrus is individual for each dog and depends solely on the characteristics of its body. Typically, this process takes an average of 20 to 22 days, with longer times for German Shepherds not considered an abnormality. So, in some dogs, estrus can last up to 1 month. The interval between estrus is 6-7 months; in 1 year, the bitch experiences this period twice. The initial stages in young females may be accompanied by disruptions in the intervals and duration of discharge, but after the third estrus the cycle returns to normal.

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Sexual cycle

It’s not enough to know how long a German Shepherd’s estrus lasts; it’s important to have an idea of the characteristics of the reproductive cycle and what stages it consists of.

The reproductive cycle of a female German Shepherd consists of 4 interconnected phases:

proestrus;
estrus;
metestrus;
anestrus.

Proestrus

This is the beginning of estrus, which lasts for a maximum of 10 days and is characterized by swelling of the vulva, caused by blood flow to it, and the appearance of the first spotting. At this time, ovulation has not yet occurred and the dog’s body is preparing for it.

Estrus

This stage lasts for 1-2 days and indicates ovulation, which means that the dog is completely ready for mating and future pregnancy. The discharge becomes pale pink, its quantity decreases or stops altogether.

Metestrus

A phase characterized by the dog's calmness due to the cessation of estrus . It lasts about 2-3 days, during which the discharge stops and the size of the genital organs decreases.

Anestrus

A period of sexual rest, which lasts from 100 to 150 days and is characterized by the return of the bitch to her usual calm state. There is no discharge at the anasterus stage.

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German Shepherd Mating

It is permissible to breed a shepherd dog for the first time no earlier than 2.5 years, at 3-4 heats. By this time, the dog is sufficiently developed and ready to bear offspring. A few weeks before the expected start of the cycle, the bitch is treated with anti-worm medications. This is necessary to eliminate the risk of infection of puppies in the womb.

It would be a good idea to take a blood test to determine your health status. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a course of vitamins or a diet. Excessive fatness, as well as lack of weight in a dog, will harm future offspring. Finding a suitable male dog is an equally important task. He must be healthy, fully comply with the breed standard (ideally, have a good pedigree), be at least 2 and over 8 years old.

Estrus is a favorable moment for conception. It begins on the 11-12th day from the appearance of bloody discharge, which at this time already ends. The phase suitable for conception lasts from 2 to 3 days, so there is no point in delaying mating. When knitting, you should adhere to the following rules:

The bitch for mating is always taken home to the dog. On his territory, he is confident in himself and performs his duties well. The place for mating should be calm, without irritating factors such as pets or strangers.
When mating, the presence of both owners is mandatory. As often happens, the young shepherd does not understand what they want from her. She does not stand still, snaps at the dog, and sits on the ground. In this case, the owner holds the bitch by the collar, strokes and calms her. The owner of the dog directs the dog towards the bitch.
For a good effective mating, the male must make several cages. A cage that ends with a lock is considered complete. Shepherd dogs can stand locked in a lock for half an hour or more. You cannot unhook animals yourself.
Mating is carried out twice. The second time the bitch is taken to the male one day after the first mating.

From the moment of the last mating with the lock, 60–65 days are counted. This will be the estimated due date. During the period of bearing puppies, the dog requires special care and attention.

After a normal natural birth, the body of a healthy dog quickly returns to normal. The next estrus begins within 4-6 months from the moment the puppies are born. It is not recommended to send a healthy young dog for mating more than once every 2 years. Annual pregnancy, even with good feeding and care, will negatively affect the health of your pet.

Keeping a bitch is more difficult and troublesome than keeping a dog. It’s not for nothing that girl puppies are cheaper. Dog owners who do not plan to breed their pets are advised to sterilize the animal during its first heat. This way you can save the shepherd from health problems, and the owner from unnecessary troubles.

Dog behavior during heat

Each period of German Shepherd estrus is characterized by its own characteristics and changes in behavior and mood. At the proestrus stage, the female changes her behavior and becomes too calm or, conversely, as active and playful as possible. The dog begins to be interested in males, but does not allow them to approach him, since he is not yet ready for mating. In this way, the bitch creates conditions for future mating, otherwise she will not allow the male to approach her, will begin to be capricious and will stop obeying.

Estrus is the most favorable period for mating, when the dog does not resist it. At this phase, the dog is characterized by a pose with a raised pelvis and a tail set to the side. When the lower back is touched, the dog sits up and puts back its tail. During these few days you should refrain from walking your dog; if this is not possible, then walk it only on a leash.

During metestrus, the dog is less active and loses interest in males. Regardless of whether the female becomes pregnant or not, the possibility of the release of progesterone, the so-called “pregnancy hormone,” cannot be ruled out. A large amount of progesterone provokes the development of false pregnancy. There is no need to do anything; after some time, all the signs will go away on their own.

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Help during mating

As soon as the male has mounted, he begins to try to insert the penis into the bitch's loop. In response, the vaginal muscles begin to contract, thereby squeezing the partner’s genitals. This process is called gluing or locking.

If everything is in order, the lock continues for ten minutes, after which the dogs are separated without assistance.

If the lock does not work, you need to keep the male on the bitch until he moves away on his own. The process sometimes takes up to an hour. Mating may not occur at all if the dog is many years old or has recently been ill. Also, a full stomach or bladder can cause failure.

While in the castle, the male tries to find a comfortable position for himself, gradually turning his back to the bitch. If the shepherd is much taller than the male, then the owner must help him turn around.

If ejaculation occurs past the uterus or the male is expected to have another mating, let him rest for half an hour. Take him out of the room and take him for a walk in the fresh air.

You also need to watch the bitch - you cannot allow her to lie down during the lock, otherwise she will injure the dog or herself. You can also harm the dogs yourself if you try to separate them during the lock yourself.

After successful mating, it is necessary to separate the shepherd dogs into different rooms. To be sure of fertilization, repeat mating after a day.

Nutrition during heat

If there are changes in the bitch's appetite during heat, this is normal. The dog may begin to eat poorly, which is due to the effect of increased levels of sex hormones on the functioning of the digestive system; you should not force it to eat.

Important! If a dog refuses to eat for 2 days or more, and after eating it begins to vomit, it is necessary to show it to a veterinarian.

If, on the contrary, the bitch has an increased appetite, you should not overfeed her, increasing her usual food intake. It is necessary to provide the dog with constant access to fresh water, drinking more liquid than usual is the norm.

Important! If your dog's heat lasts longer than 30 days, his diet may be lacking in animal proteins.

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Caring for a bitch in heat

Regardless of how many days dogs, such as shepherds, are in heat, there are care features that require attention.

Walking with a bitch

During heat, the dog becomes disobedient and refuses to obey its owner. During this period, the bitch is walked only on a leash. Its length should be such that the owner can control the animal, the ideal option is 2-2.5 meters.

The smell of a bitch in heat attracts males. The owner should be prepared for this. As well as the fact that his dog will behave strangely: flirt with male dogs, stand rooted to the spot and move his tail in front of them.

German Shepherd on a walk

As for physical activity during this period, it is quite acceptable. The only inconvenience is the leash, because on it the bitch cannot run after the ball or puller. You can release your pet only if it is walked in a field or forest where there are no other dogs.

Changes in behavior

Irritability and disobedience are the main behavioral aspects that accompany the estrus period. However, the bitch flirts with representatives of the opposite sex, communicates with pleasure and enjoys the meeting.

Note! Strangers can provoke aggression, and without warning. Generally, German Shepherds (properly trained) do not become aggressive unless commanded by their owner. But during heat, a female dog is capable of behaving unpredictably, which is fraught with consequences for both the owner and those around her.

Mixed-sex dogs in the house

To avoid unscheduled matings, the male and the female in heat are kept separately. If dogs live outside, they are placed in different enclosures. When keeping at home, the owner takes the bitch into his own room or allocates a separate one, if possible. The door to this room should be closed during the entire reproductive cycle of the bitch.

During estrus, the female is given a separate room

Hygiene rules

During the period of heat, it is strictly forbidden to completely bathe the bitch. In general, it is not advisable to wash dogs completely often; this helps wash off the special protective fatty film from their skin. However, hygiene procedures must be observed. After each walk, the dog’s paws, belly and, of course, the loop are washed.

On a note! If the bitch refuses to lick herself, she can be washed with a soft cloth dipped in warm water. As an option, you can use special pet wipes designed for the personal hygiene of bitches.

Dog mating

The beginning of the functioning of the ovaries and the first estrus occur before the dog reaches one year, which indicates the female’s formal readiness to reproduce. However, at this age, the bones and muscles of the bitch have not yet become stronger and are not ready for the load that pregnancy imposes. Early mating is fraught with difficult childbirth and subsequent care of the puppies. In addition, this can cause sagging of the back, low fertility, and the birth of puppies with pathologies.

Breeding a dog older than 4 years is no less dangerous, as the hip joints become less flexible, which negatively affects childbirth and can lead to a caesarean section. In addition, in adult bitches, the cycle is disrupted, weight is increased, and metabolism is altered. At the age of 4-10 years, the dog can produce offspring, but frequent matings should be avoided. The most suitable moment for mating is the age of 1.5-2 years. At this time, the dog’s hormonal levels are stabilized, and the hip joints and muscles are formed.

Important! You can only breed a healthy bitch, but if she has recently been ill, the mating should be cancelled.

1-1.5 months before the planned mating, it is necessary to treat the dog for fleas and ticks and deworm it . It would not be superfluous to collect cultures for bacteriological analysis, which will help detect hidden infections, such as:

viral herpes;
streptococcus;
staphylococcus

These diseases are often found in dogs; their presence provokes a deterioration in the condition of the bitch and even the death of puppies. It is extremely important to correctly determine the time of estrus, otherwise mating will not bring the desired result.

This is interesting! Keeping a notebook with records of the dates of periods and changes in the dog’s behavior will help to accurately determine the date of the onset of estrus.

Several methods help you avoid making mistakes with the date:

visual - the bitch sits down, moves her tail to the side and with all her appearance demonstrates her readiness for mating, swollen nipples are clearly visible, the genitals are enlarged, there is little discharge and they have a light pink color;
mathematical - as a rule, ovulation occurs on days 11-14 from the beginning of proestrus, the most favorable time for mating is 1-2 days before that;
medical - laboratory testing of a dog's vaginal smear is the most reliable way to determine the day of mating.

Mating of dogs is carried out on the territory of the dog. Several features of mating German Shepherds:

mating is carried out in the morning, before feeding;
the bitch and dog need to be walked in advance so that their intestines and bladders are cleaned;
there should be no extraneous sounds during mating;
Cream or Vaseline is used to lubricate the female;
owners need to hold dogs by their collars;
several cages are carried out, after which the dogs lock, connecting them together and at this time ejaculation occurs.

At the time of mating, the female must be provided with good nutrition; she should not be weak, thin or, on the contrary, overweight.

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How does mating happen?

As soon as the dog's third heat begins, it is worth preparing for mating.

It is recommended to carry out mating at home with the male dog so that he feels calmer, more confident and active.

Among other features of mating in German Shepherds, it is worth noting the following factors:

It is best to mate in the morning, before feeding.
Dogs should be walked to ensure that each animal's bowels and bladder are cleared.
For mating, you need a secluded place so that there are no extraneous irritating factors nearby.
The female needs to be lubricated with Vaseline or cream.
Dog owners should hold their dogs' collars during mating to ensure everything goes smoothly.

How is a German Shepherd mated? It is necessary to carry out several cages so that the mating definitely ends with the female becoming pregnant. After several cages, the so-called lock of the dogs occurs, due to which the animals will be connected with each other for a while. Usually the lock lasts a few minutes, sometimes an hour or two. In any case, breeders should not interfere with the process, since the dog’s lock cannot be released independently.

Many dog owners, including German shepherds, try to take the female for a second mating in order to accurately carry out fertilization. Such procedures are groundless, since fertilization, with the right approach, should occur in the first mating. Repeated mating is carried out so that the owner calms down and believes in the pregnancy of his dog.

The fertilization process is influenced by the health of the animal.

Giving birth should be well fed and active. Usually mating the first time always brings positive results. If the female is not ready for fertilization, then prolonged bonding is not recommended so that the male does not waste his energy.

Owner behavior

A dog’s period of heat requires making some adjustments to its life and the owner’s behavior:

it is necessary to limit the access of male dogs to the bitch, as they pick up the smell of a female ready for mating;
The dog should not be allowed to swim in bodies of water, because all its organs are open, which increases the risk of infection;
You should only walk your dog on a leash, as it is prone to running away;
Frequent urination may cause a change in walking routine;
vaccinations and sterilization must be rescheduled;
To keep furniture and carpets clean, you should purchase hygienic panties;
if there are a lot of stray dogs in the bitch’s walking area, to minimize the attraction of male dogs, you can use drugs such as, for example, “Touch-me-not”, “Flirt? No!”, “True Friend” and so on.

Important! The main thing that is required of the dog owner is to monitor its health and avoid close contact with male dogs.

The period of estrus is a natural process, but it is a rather difficult time in the life of a dog and its owner . That is why the owner needs to know about the peculiarities of this period in a German shepherd, about the duration and possible changes in character and behavior. This knowledge will help you avoid mistakes, groundless worries, or, conversely, will allow you to turn to a specialist for help in time.

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