Poodle Information
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Poodle Heat
Overview
When you have a female Poodle, it is very important to understand all about the heat cycle. Miniature and Toy Poodles will usually show less symptoms of being in heat than the larger Standard Poodle.
You will want to know what this means to you and to your Poodle.
Let's dive into this important topic to discuss the details of what to expect when your Poodle enters heat...and the issue of why you may wish to have your Poodle spayed.
When you have a female Poodle, it is very important to understand all about the heat cycle. Miniature and Toy Poodles will usually show less symptoms of being in heat than the larger Standard Poodle.
You will want to know what this means to you and to your Poodle.
Let's dive into this important topic to discuss the details of what to expect when your Poodle enters heat...and the issue of why you may wish to have your Poodle spayed.
What is Poodle Heat?
Heat refers to when a female dog enter the phase of her body breaking down extra blood and tissue that develops over time inside of a female dog's uterus. Blood will exit the Poodle's body via the vulva. For small and miniature Poodles, this can be overlooked, as the amount may be very small. In most cases, this is much more noticeable in the larger, standard sized Poodle. It is during this time of heat (called the heat cycle) that a female dog is receptive to a male dog for mating. A Poodle cannot become pregnant when she is not in a heat cycle. However, an owner may believe that the heat cycle is done, when in fact it is not...and this is what often causes unplanned mating.
At What Age Does This Happen?
The age that a heat cycle begins for a Poodle will vary with each dog. Shocking to many first time Poodle owners, a dog may have her first cycle when she is only 4 months old! It is rare for a Poodle to enter heat before 4 months...but not uncommon for a dog to enter her first cycle at a later age...even up to 1 year old.
How Long Does This Last For?
All dogs are different, but on average a Poodle heat cycle will last for 3 weeks. The first cycle is not a good indication of how future cycles will be. Once a dog matures and reaches the age of 2 years old, the cycles will begin to become more regular and last for roughly the same amount of time for each one.
A canine will enter heat 2 times per year. Some owners become confused when it appears that their dog has 3 cycles in 1 year. However, the most common reason for this happening, is that a dog can have what is called a "Split Heat". This can happen when the dog enters heat, it pauses and seems to stop...and then her body finishes the cycle...thus making it appear that she had 2 cycles when in fact she only had 1, that was "split".
A dog may have heat for her entire life. Many dogs do not enter the human equivalent of menopause when her body stops entering heat. It is puts extreme stress on a senior dog to carry and deliver a litter...and this is just 1 reason why it is suggested to have your dog spayed.
When During This Time is Best for Mating?
Contrary to what others may say, a Poodle (or any female dog for that matter) can become pregnant on Day 1, even before you notice signs and all the way up to the very last day (even when it may appear that signs have stopped). A dog is most fertile roughly 1 week into the cycle.
What Are the Signs?
Miniature and Toy Poodles often have much lighter bleeding than the larger Standard sized Poodle. However, there are other signs that a dog is in heat, including:
Studies show that a most female dogs do feel pain or discomfort during her heat cycle. If your female Poodle is not feeling well, she may want to retreat to a warm, comfortable area...and this should be provided. Each dog is unique...your Poodle may want a soft, cozy doggie bed in the corner of a very quiet room...or she may be happy just laying on a soft baby blanket in the living room, so that she can be close to her human family members.
Dealing with the discharge is usually the biggest element to be concerned about in regard to hygiene. For this reason, many owners opt to put doggie diapers on their female during the cycle. Dog beds, crates or other resting and sleeping areas can be lined with a clean, soft towel.
It is very important to keep a very close eye on your Poodle when she goes outside to urinate or eliminate. Since un-neutered males will be aware of her condition from up to 3 miles (4.83 kg) away. It only takes a moment for a male to tie with her...and for Miniature and Toy Poodles, a very large male who runs over to tie with her can cause injury to her. For this reason, it is recommended to limit outside activities such as walks or outdoor playtime, until she is in the 3rd stage of the cycle.
Spaying
Having a dog spayed not only eliminates her heat cycles, but also prevents several serious health conditions that a dog can develop:
Heat refers to when a female dog enter the phase of her body breaking down extra blood and tissue that develops over time inside of a female dog's uterus. Blood will exit the Poodle's body via the vulva. For small and miniature Poodles, this can be overlooked, as the amount may be very small. In most cases, this is much more noticeable in the larger, standard sized Poodle. It is during this time of heat (called the heat cycle) that a female dog is receptive to a male dog for mating. A Poodle cannot become pregnant when she is not in a heat cycle. However, an owner may believe that the heat cycle is done, when in fact it is not...and this is what often causes unplanned mating.
At What Age Does This Happen?
The age that a heat cycle begins for a Poodle will vary with each dog. Shocking to many first time Poodle owners, a dog may have her first cycle when she is only 4 months old! It is rare for a Poodle to enter heat before 4 months...but not uncommon for a dog to enter her first cycle at a later age...even up to 1 year old.
How Long Does This Last For?
All dogs are different, but on average a Poodle heat cycle will last for 3 weeks. The first cycle is not a good indication of how future cycles will be. Once a dog matures and reaches the age of 2 years old, the cycles will begin to become more regular and last for roughly the same amount of time for each one.
A canine will enter heat 2 times per year. Some owners become confused when it appears that their dog has 3 cycles in 1 year. However, the most common reason for this happening, is that a dog can have what is called a "Split Heat". This can happen when the dog enters heat, it pauses and seems to stop...and then her body finishes the cycle...thus making it appear that she had 2 cycles when in fact she only had 1, that was "split".
A dog may have heat for her entire life. Many dogs do not enter the human equivalent of menopause when her body stops entering heat. It is puts extreme stress on a senior dog to carry and deliver a litter...and this is just 1 reason why it is suggested to have your dog spayed.
When During This Time is Best for Mating?
Contrary to what others may say, a Poodle (or any female dog for that matter) can become pregnant on Day 1, even before you notice signs and all the way up to the very last day (even when it may appear that signs have stopped). A dog is most fertile roughly 1 week into the cycle.
What Are the Signs?
Miniature and Toy Poodles often have much lighter bleeding than the larger Standard sized Poodle. However, there are other signs that a dog is in heat, including:
- A discharge that is not necessarily red...it may be a light pink or even clear for the first couple of days. For smaller Poodles, the discharge may be so light that owners do not notice it. Standard Poodles will usually have a rather heavy flow.
- Her vulva may become swollen
- She may become restless
- There may be an increase in urination
-
Stray male dogs may be around your home. Amazingly, an un-neutered male can smell a female in heat from up to 3 miles (4.83 kg) away. It is not uncommon at all for stray, un-neutered males to walk for miles to reach that scent. The main reason that a such a male dog will scense this is become small amounts of discharge mix into a female dog's urine...and this stays on the ground for quite a while, essentially sending out a strong signal.
The 4 Stages of Heat
There are actually 4 stages that a female dog will have:
What an Owner Can Do During This Time to HelpThere are actually 4 stages that a female dog will have:
- Proestrus- This is the 1st stage in which the heat cycle begins and symptoms will be apparent. This stage varies in length from 4 to 15 days.
- Estrus - This is the 2nd stage and the one in which a female will be receptive to a male for mating and will be able to become impregnated. This stage is shorter in length and lasts anywhere from 5-8 days. During this time, discharge may stop or slow down.
- Diestrus - This is the 3rd stage. A female will generally lose interest in mating during this time. It is not uncommon for a female dog to enter into a "False Pregnancy" during this time. The most noticeable signs of a false pregnancy in a dog is that her mammary glands will swell and she may even being to produce milk. If this does happen, she will also most likely exhibit nesting behavior....she may begin to gather certain toys or other household items and begin to watch over them as it they were a litter of puppies. She will not, however, have an increasingly, fast growing belly and this is what allows owners to know that conception did not happen.
- Anestrus - This is the 4th and final stage and is essentially simply means that her cycle is done. Any signs of a false pregnancy will ebb away and her body will go "back to normal".
Studies show that a most female dogs do feel pain or discomfort during her heat cycle. If your female Poodle is not feeling well, she may want to retreat to a warm, comfortable area...and this should be provided. Each dog is unique...your Poodle may want a soft, cozy doggie bed in the corner of a very quiet room...or she may be happy just laying on a soft baby blanket in the living room, so that she can be close to her human family members.
Dealing with the discharge is usually the biggest element to be concerned about in regard to hygiene. For this reason, many owners opt to put doggie diapers on their female during the cycle. Dog beds, crates or other resting and sleeping areas can be lined with a clean, soft towel.
It is very important to keep a very close eye on your Poodle when she goes outside to urinate or eliminate. Since un-neutered males will be aware of her condition from up to 3 miles (4.83 kg) away. It only takes a moment for a male to tie with her...and for Miniature and Toy Poodles, a very large male who runs over to tie with her can cause injury to her. For this reason, it is recommended to limit outside activities such as walks or outdoor playtime, until she is in the 3rd stage of the cycle.
Spaying
Having a dog spayed not only eliminates her heat cycles, but also prevents several serious health conditions that a dog can develop:
- It eliminates the possibility of ovarian cancer
- It greatly reduces the chances of developing mammary cancer
- It reduces the possibility of developing many infections
- It spares an older, senior Poodle from an unplanned pregnancy
- It prevents a Poodle of any age from an unplanned pregnancy - This is so very important as a puppy as young as 4 months could have a litter...and accidental mating could result in mixed breeds...which at best diminishes the Poodle bloodline and at worst can produce unhealthy litters...because without proper testing of dam and sire, so many hereditary health issues can be passed on to the litter of puppies
- Pregnancy
- Breeding - (Very Detailed)
- Health Issues only Pregnant Poodles Can Have...that usually only breeders know about
- Exact Care for the Pregnant Boxer
- How to Deliver a Litter
- How to Register a Litter
- Care After the Delivery
- Female Health Issues
- Have any Poodle questions? The AllPoodleInfo Experts answer in 3 days...For FREE...For Life...Click Here To Learn More
