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The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this
is an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks
or more). Average times between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as
early as every 4 months, some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between
cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages. The
first part of heat you will notice bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva,
possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the
house. During this period (proestrus), females will not allow the males to breed with them
although the males will be very persistent. The second part or estrus is the time in which
the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A
female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time. As the
female starts to go out of heat or enter diestrus, she will be less willing to breed.
Again this stage can last 4-14 days but averages approximately 7 days. The next cycle
usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that
cycle but again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she
becomes pregnant.
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