Heat is a natural phase in adult female dogs that occurs twice a year and lasts about three weeks. During this phase, the female dog is ready to mate and therefore ready to reproduce. This sex drive develops during puberty and varies greatly between different breeds. Some small female dogs come into heat after just six months, while other dogs wait up to two years.
During heat, your female dog will usually display atypical behavior. For example, she will urinate more often, lift her leg differently and pay more attention to male admirers. Her behavior towards you will also change. When in heat, your female dog may seem more bitchy and more in need of affection, which is why she will snuggle up to you. At the same time, the animals are sometimes lazier and on other days more alert than usual. It is not uncommon for them to temporarily refuse the food they usually love so much.
To avoid your dog becoming pregnant, it is always worth using a leash so that you can keep your four-legged friend close by. If you meet another dog, you should inform the dog owner and generally avoid places where many dogs meet. This leads to stress, especially during the dog's heat.
