Average age of first heat - Page 1

Mischa came into heat monday, She is just at 7 3/4 months old. She will be 8 months old the 16th. I have always been told, larger breeds usually dont come into heat til 1 year, at the youngest, 10 months. Since she is my first GSD from birth, I do not know about the GSD cycles, is this normal? Her dam had odd heat cycles, she would come in every few months then not at all for a year. I am taking no chances, she is in the house, on her lead with me at the other end or crated. I do not want any accidents what so ever. If she did get caught she would be spayed and I dont want to have to do that just yet.

Shandra

My female that I have now, came into heat for the first time at 8 months old too. 

I too make myself crazy trying to protect her as well when she's in heat.  And I have an intact male around too! 

Then about 2 months later I start thinking that she's pregnant because I slipped up.  LOL  And so far, I've just made myself crazy and there hasn't been an oops.  I swear I need to just build her an ivory tower! 

lol sure would be less stressful if we had that ivory tower huh? LOL

Then I also have to worry about keeping my male sane.  He tends to starve himself for three days when she's in full bloom.  Though this past time, it was helpful to bring her to work with me and keep her in the car when we got home until he had already gotten out and had eaten.  Then she would basically get shuttled to her crate and they both stayed in crates for the night in separate rooms.  Otherwise he'd literally start pushing the crate all over the place. 

Both of my bitches had their first heats at 9 months old, from somewhat different lines.

Naya von der haus Cimmerian-DDR & Czech

Samba z Elbu-Czech

Just curious if any lines have anything to do with the delay of a heat cycle???

Shandra, you're very wise not to undestimate what they might do!

I heard about a male who ripped open his crate, and got through two closed doors in order to get to a female in heat. My own bitch's mom opened her kennel door, and climbed an 8 ft. chain link fence to get in with a stud.

Good luck...and I hope you're able to keep your sanity until she's past the receptive phase! 

I have owned females for the last twenty years and thinking back they all came into hear in the 8-9 month range. Never had one beyond 10 months...

My first unspayed female came into heat around 10 months of age. My current female had her first season just after she turned a year old.

Same here.  My last gsd girl was 9 mos,   this one was 8 mos almost to the day.  

Heather

Both of mine from same sire came into heat right after  their 1st birthday.

I have a question for you all.  I've never had two intact females at the same time before.  One female is almost 20 months and the other 15 months.   When the younger came into heat the older one was just coming out of it. 

For the past 2 weeks (since the younger girl started), the older one hardly eats.  Have any of you had experience with a dominant female refusing to eat (or eat very, very little) while another female is in season?  She is very dominating of the younger and of course postures on occasion, etc.  Thus far, they still get along well (though I'm watching ever so closely for any sign otherwise), playing, rough housing, etc.  They are never left alone without supervision as I know how quickly a bitch fight could turn ugly.

But, could this be why my dominant girl has almost stopped eating?  I've noticed the last few days she is starting to eat a bit more.  And, she never refuses treats.