Breeding a Hunting Dog
Breed ReproductionFemale dogs usually get their first period (heat) at six to nine months of age; however, this can vary a lot depending on the breed of the dog. Usually, the bigger breeds (such as Saint Bernard's) go into heat much later than the smaller breeds, in some cases they have their first heat at eighteen months of age. Usually the reproductive cycle of a female dog lasts about six months, but this also varies depending on the breed. A female dog's heat lasts for about three weeks. The dog will have blood discharge during this cycle as well. The discharge of blood is stronger at the beginning of the cycle and then starts to reduce as it advances. During this stage the female will attract male dogs that are able to smell her from long distances. Around the middle stage of the heat, the female dog will begin to feel the same anxiousness and desirous of male dogs. In order to avoid unwanted pregnancies it's recommended to have the female dog stay inside your house or property and keep the dog on a leash when going out on walks etc. You should also avoid going to places that are frequented by other dogs. There are many people that believe that the risks and inconveniences that exist when a female dog is in heat are not worth it, and, if they do not want the dog to become impregnated, they decide to use one of the diverse methods that exist to interrupt the reproductive cycle of the female dog. Female dogs do not get menopause, meaning they are able to reproduce until they are simply unable to due to unrelated aging factors. | 
