Spitz's heat: phases, duration, deviations from the norm

What you need to know about the first heat

In Pomeranians, as in all animals, the concept of estrus represents the natural cyclical process of egg maturation. The period of the first heat occurs when your girl reaches the age limit of 8 months or a little more.

For the first time, the duration of the “hunt” is usually less than usual, and the discharge is scanty. Mating a Pomeranian Spitz during her first heat is strictly prohibited - the bitch is not yet ready to bear offspring, in other words, her body has not reached maturity. The third “hunt” is considered the optimal moment for mating.

Crashes

Even mature dogs may have a slight cycle disruption, in one or two weeks, and this is not considered a pathology. Stress, sudden changes in climate or time zone, drug treatment - all this can cause a delay, or provoke estrus ahead of schedule. Condition that should alert the owner:

Early or late start

Bloody discharge before 5 months may indicate perinatal egg maturation. In this case, estrus is accompanied by the usual symptoms, such as swelling of the vulva and frequent urination. Due to her age, she is not full-fledged, and the conception of puppies is unlikely.

However, this phenomenon is quite rare. Inflammatory processes of the kidneys, bladder or reproductive systems are much more common. If the discharge is accompanied by fever, restless behavior, lethargy, or refusal to eat, you should immediately take the dog to a veterinarian for examination.

The absence of heat by 15 months should also be cause for concern. Perhaps there are not enough hormones and medication correction is necessary. Sometimes owners may miss the first cycle due to anemia or hidden flow.

Goes without blood

It is characterized by scanty bleeding or no bleeding at all. In all other respects, this is a full-fledged estrus, with characteristic signs and the possibility of conceiving puppies. Veterinarians attribute this type of cycle not to pathologies, but to the individual characteristics of the dog.

Short interval

If the interval between heats is too short, less than 5 months, the body does not have time to recover. Due to constant exposure to increased amounts of estrogen, the bitch is in continuous molting. Against this background, various skin diseases can occur.

In this case, the attending physician may be asked to “push back” the onset of the next estrus, using antiestrogens, melatonin, and gestagens.

Less than once a year

In nature, canines come into heat once a year; a more frequent cycle appeared as a result of the domestication of animals. In Pomeranians, such a deviation is quite rare, however, if the interval is the same and the heats themselves pass without any complications, there is no need to worry.

More than 21 days

Due to cystic lesions of the ovaries, their hyperfunction occurs. This hormonal disorder is characterized by a prolongation of one of the periods of estrus, or a split course.

During a prolonged period of proestrus, the bleeding is very profuse, lasting more than 21 days, however, readiness for mating does not occur. The reason for this condition is a deficiency of gonadotropic hormones.

With increased concentrations of estradiol, a protracted stage of estrus occurs. This can lead to endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

Sometimes prolonged estrus can be a consequence of an inflammatory disease of the uterus.

Splintered

Another option for hormonal imbalance is split estrus. It begins as a full-fledged discharge, with bloody discharge, although not so abundant. But due to a lack of luteinizing hormone, it stops completely after 3-5 days. And it begins fully after a few weeks or a month.

Signs and duration of estrus

In the Spitz, the duration of estrus ranges from 18 to 25 days. Between periods of “hunting” there will be 5 to 8 months. Like other dogs, estrus in Pomeranians includes several stages:

period of egg maturation or proestrus. Lasts about 12 days: during this time the bitch can be aggressive, a clear sign will be the presence of copious discharge from the loop;
Estrus is the time most favorable for the intended mating. This is the time of ovulation, when eggs are sent into the uterine cavity. Now the girl’s behavior will be playful, she actively flirts with male dogs, allows them to mount;
metestrus - lasts about 70 days. This is the period of production of hormones necessary for the development of a normal pregnancy;
anestrus is a period of rest. The longest phase of the cycle, taking about 5 months.

Similar article: How to keep and properly care for a Spitz

The fact that your pet is preparing to meet her “lover” is evidenced by certain signs and behavioral characteristics of the dog:

the bitch begins to urinate more often;
males show increased interest in your girl;
the dog does not always respond to commands, may ignore the owner, and is characterized by playful behavior;
on walks, the dog is busy leaving as many marks as possible and may try to run away;
Some dogs have an increased appetite.

And the most characteristic symptom is swelling of the loop, the appearance of pinkish discharge from it when pressed.

Further care

As a rule, after 2 days it is customary to do a control mating to increase the chances of producing offspring.

Pregnancy usually proceeds calmly, without complications. During this period, the bitch needs increased attention, a varied diet and proper care. Make sure that your girl does not get into fights, is not overtired and is not overcooled.

The life of a small dog, like all living things, is subject to cyclical development.

Over the course of 180–250 days (with slight deviations), the biological rhythm of a Spitz girl goes through four cycles.

The most restless period, characterized by active behavior, is the period of hunting - estrus, popularly called simply “estrus”.

Regardless of whether the dog owner plans to continue the family of his Spitz or not, he must imagine the characteristics of the animal’s life during this period.

In the first case, the person must ensure safe and effective mating, in the second, proper care of the dog.

By the beginning of this process, the dog owner must decide whether he is interested in obtaining offspring from a pet or not.

If a Spitz owner plans to breed the breed, he must take care in advance about the possible future of the puppies and the health of the expectant mother.

A person needs to know what qualities the offspring will provide, who will be the possible father of future babies, and who will approximately get the puppies.

The owner of a Spitz who plans to breed should take into account that pregnancy and childbirth wear out the dog’s body, and that its working qualities may not be ideal.

The breed properties of a male dog may also have deviations from the standard and therefore the puppies may not turn out to be as funny and cute as their parents.

In addition, the owner of the bitch expects additional financial costs for caring for the puppies, settling formalities with the club, and veterinary care.

The dog planned for mating must be physically and psychologically healthy and ready for the birth of offspring.

According to the formal breed description for the Pomeranian, this period begins at 15 months.

Usually this period begins at 2–2.5 years. Another piece of advice that a respectable breeder should follow: you should not breed a dog that has had an illness or is overweight or thin.

Mating dwarf Spitz requires careful selection of a partner.

The male must be lighter than the “bride”, while the weight of the candidate for mating can be 2.5 kg.

When mating German Spitz dogs, the requirements for the breed are not so severe.

It is worth considering that the girl may belong to the small German Spitz variety, and the boy may be a Pomeranian. In this case, there is a high probability of getting Pomeranian puppies.

On average, a healthy dog's estrus lasts 22 days.

The process takes place in two stages. The first - preliminary (pre-temperature) lasts 5-12 days.

It is characterized by external signs - nervous, playful behavior of the dog, increased activity.

At this time, the dog is a magnet for all males passing by, but she does not let them get close.

Subtle external signs: the loop swells, the mucosal tissue hardens, ichor appears, which over time turns into copious discharge.

The owner’s task during this period is to establish the exact beginning of the process. To do this, the dog is subjected to a control procedure every morning: a cotton swab is used to check the presence of drops of blood in the loop.

From the moment the first trace of blood is detected on the cotton wool, 13 days remain until mating. The owner of the girl must notify the owner of the boy about this.

At this stage, the details of the procedure are agreed upon and financial issues are finally settled.

The owner of the bitch, if he is a prudent breeder, enters into another framework agreement - with a possible backup.

The second period - estrus - lasts five days, in some cases it extends to two weeks.

The dog shows noticeable anxiety and willfulness, its behavior needs strict control: it can make contact with the male dog at any moment.

This period is the most favorable for mating; a timely process results in the dog becoming pregnant.

Two matings are made - for guarantee.

The first meeting is usually scheduled on the thirteenth day after the start of estrus (the first - second day from the start of the hunt).

Usually the Spitz bitch is brought to the male dog’s territory in the morning - the success of the event largely depends on his confident behavior.

Both partners should be fed in the evening and be in a state of light mobilization readiness.

To do this, formalities with walking must be settled in advance.

For mating, use a room isolated from irritating factors, equipped with a table with a special coating that prevents paws from slipping.

It is advisable that this is not the first experience of sexual intercourse for one of the participants.

They usually successfully cope with the task, this is facilitated by their strong nervous system.

Difficulty may arise physically when the girl is a Pomeranian and the boy is a Pomeranian. In this case, people have to equip the platform with an additional stand.

In most cases, Spitz pregnancy proceeds without complications.

Its duration ranges from 58 to 64 days. A dog's fetus may dissolve over time.

In most cases, this incident does not affect the health of the Spitz. However, there are situations when a non-resorbed embryo provokes the development of a tumor.

It is possible to determine with a high probability whether a dog is pregnant or not on the 35th day. A more accurate forecast becomes available after the 7th week.

During this period, the animal needs special care, feeding and observation.

It is important to provide the dog with regular calm walks without fights, without unnecessary sudden movements, without overwork.

Walking an animal for sanitary purposes must be done upon the dog’s first request. During walks, you should try to avoid hypothermia: for this purpose, a spitz is sewn.

Care and preparation for mating

In order for the estrus period to pass without complications and unpleasant surprises, it is important to follow a few simple rules:

when going for a walk, do not let your pet off the leash;
reduce the duration of walks - at this time the dog is overly susceptible to colds;
do not allow your dog to swim in a pond or river or lie on a cold surface;
Avoid intense physical activity and stress.

If mating Spitz dogs is a done deal, make sure that not only your pet, but also you yourself are ready for the process - you will have considerable financial expenses for feeding the puppy bitch, for full veterinary support for the dog and the future litter, as well as for the registration of all necessary documentation.

Spitz in heat symptoms

The breeder is advised to closely monitor his pets in order to prepare the bitch for mating in time or, conversely, limit her contact with male dogs.

There are the following signs by which you can judge the approach of estrus:

The dog urinates more often than usual.
The cables pay increased attention to the bitch and try to sniff her.
The dog's behavior changes. She becomes playful, disobedient, excitable, and ignores commands.
During a walk, the bitch strives to run away, explore new territories, puts marks, luring “suitors.”
Appetite increases.
Sometimes shedding begins.
The appearance of the genital organs changes: the loop swells, when pressure is applied to it, light pink or cloudy discharge appears, which becomes brighter and more abundant over time.

Choosing a partner

Before mating, Pomeranians need to be carefully prepared for the process. Only extremely healthy animals that have reached the required age are bred. It is prohibited to breed dogs that have recently recovered from illness, as well as overweight bitches.

About 1 month before the “wedding”, you need to thoroughly treat the animals for parasites (external and internal), and get all the necessary vaccinations. Do not hesitate to inquire about the availability of vaccinations and certificates from the owner of the male dog - this will be an additional guarantee of healthy offspring and will protect your pet from unpleasant surprises. It is also believed that the “groom” should be slightly smaller than the “bride”.

Similar article: The most popular and very rare Spitz colors

Timing and mating rules

The most successful mating takes place in the first half of the day. The day before, the bitch should be fed a hearty dinner, but slightly reduce the usual portion. And immediately before the meeting, the dog needs to be given a good walk - if the bitch’s intestines are full, she may experience discomfort during the so-called “castle”.

The meeting takes place on the territory of the dog.

This happens indoors under the absolute control of the owners. If you are knitting for the first time, it is better to invest in a special instructor. Which one? Who will make sure that everything goes as it should.

Pomeranian Spitz's first heat

The first heat in Spitz dogs occurs at approximately 8-12 months. At this age, the animal begins puberty. The time of its onset is largely determined genetically. The characteristic features of the bitch’s behavior, as well as the course of pregnancy and childbirth, are also inherited.

The first heat is usually shorter, often accompanied by minor discharge and changes in the dog’s character that are not as strong as in subsequent cycles. Mating should not be carried out at this time, since physical maturation has not yet occurred. It is better to bring a couple of Spitz dogs into their third heat, and until then, monitor the regularity of the cycles and their characteristics.

Process Features

As soon as the bitch takes the desired position, with her paws spread and her tail thrown back, her owner should securely fix her by standing in front, and the instructor or the owner of the dog should help him make the mount in the right place. The fact that penetration has occurred will be indicated by the squeal of the female and a change in the nature of the male’s movements - they become sharp and jerky. As soon as his legs straighten and he freezes, immediately fix the bitch - the climax has occurred, now the animals must stand in the “castle” for some time. When the bitch's vaginal muscles relax, she will let go of her partner, but until this happens, hold the animals so that the bitch's accidental movement does not cause pain to the dog.

Video "Care and maintenance of Spitz"

And in this video you will learn how to properly maintain and care for Spitz dogs.