first heat cycle too late? - Page 1

my female had her first heat cycle at 16 and a half months old.  Is there something wrong with her to have it too late, or this sometimes happen to some females in their first cycle?  thanks.

Had a GSD female that had her first visible heat cycle at 22months old. I suspect she had a silent heat and I wasn't aware of it. This girl was on time every 6months.  When she was bred, she gave us awesome puppies.  The female puppies I was able to keep track of had normal heats.  Just recently a puppy we sold didn't have her first heat until she was 16 months also.  All her sisters had their first heat between 9 months and 1yr old. Just can't rush mother nature.  

Hope this helps you some. I really wouldn't worry just yet.  If over two yrs old and still no heat, I would begin to think about talking to a reproduction specialist. 

I have a mother and daughter who did not show blood, just very slightly swollen vulvas for their first heats. If I had not been checking for it, I would have missed their heat cycles. The mom's first heat was at 6 months, the daughter at 9 months.

A lot of folks miss their young dog's first heat - and accidental breedings occur that way. Also, the females are just puppy's and their flirtation is very juvenile and looks like puppy play.
 
So I bet you could have missed your girl's first heat.

Most of the GSD's I have had come in for the first time around 8-10 months.  The only one I had that came in for the first time at 18 months ended up with a pyometria and had to be spayed.

My current pup is just 6 months and is in standing heat right now.  When my Jack Russle started harassing her about a week and half ago, I couldn't believe it.  This is the youngest I personally have seen one go into heat.  Needless, to say she is in lock up.

 I think your girl is OK:  my friend that raises Belgian Sheepdogs said her girls almost never come in before l year to 18 months.  JFYI.  Nan

My girls routinely have their first heat around 14 months, some a little earlier, some a month or two later, but I wouldn't be overly concerned about 16 months being the first one.

thanks to everyone, for all these helpful replies.  I will wait till she's over 2 years old if I decide to mate her.