My GSD hasn't had her first heat. When is it safe to breed her?

Large dogs such as Tasha often do not come into heat until 10-15 months old so I'm not concerned yet. I like to have them be at least two years old and have their hips checked with an X-ray for hip dysplasia before breeding. German Shepard Dogs can have bad hips that can be passed on to the puppies so I always want to make sure both parents have good hips before breeding. Generally I recommend the female dog only have one to two litters as having puppies and raising them is a lot of work for her, and you too! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Tasha.

Average age for the first estrus in a large breed dog is about 6-9 months of age. It is not usual for large breeds to not have their first heat until somewhere between 12 and 18 months of age. So, as you can see, it varies widely when a large breed dog may go into heat for the first time. Some dogs come into heat and don't outwardly show any signs so you may not even notice their heat cycle. My best recommendation is that if you have a breeding bitch that is 18-19 months old and she has not had her first heat cycle, you should have her evaluated by a reproductive veterinarian to make sure she is sound for breeding. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

A small breed dog will generally come into heat around 6 months old but can be as late is 12 months old. You don't want to breed females until they are two years of age. Make sure to think hard before you breed her. Small breed dogs are more likely to need C-sections. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would wait until she is at least 2 years old to breed. Breeding on the 1st and 2nd heat is a little too early. It would be like a teenager having a baby which is too young! You are better off waiting. She will be at a lower risk of complications during pregnancy if you wait. Best to you and Leila!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A dogs first heat is some what genetic and breed related. Toy and small breeds may have their first heat at 6-8 months while larger breed dogs like Great Danes may not have their first heart until 18-24 months. I have a client who's lab still didn't have their first heat by 1 year of age. I would expect that Bella at 9 months should have her heat very soon or with in the next 3-6 months. Dogs act slightly off when they are in heat. The vulva becomes prominent and swollen. Then you will see bloody fluid from the vulva. Dogs tend to lick a lot. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. An intact female dog, depending on the size and breed, will likely have her first heat cycle between the ages of 6 months and 18 months. If she were bred at that first cycle, she should give birth approximately 63 days after this mating. I hope this is helpful!

8 months is very young to breed. She is not fully grown yet and breeding her now would stunt her growth. I would wait at least until her second heat, better her third heat.That way her body is fully grown and also mentally she will be grown up and then take good care of her puppies.