A dog having a menstrual cycle
Question:
I’m hoping someone here can answer my questions… Do all dogs have menstrual cycles? I’ve always heard that poodles do, but, are they the only ones? I have a miniature schnauzer and I think she is starting to have one. How old are dogs when they start to go ‘in heat’? How old do they have to be when they are bred? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. ~Karen
Response:
> I’m hoping someone here can answer my questions… > Do all dogs have menstrual cycles? > I’ve always heard that poodles do, but, are they > the only ones?
Yes, all unspayed females without overriding health problems will have menstrual cycles. > I have a miniature schnauzer and I think she is starting to > have one. > How old are dogs when they start to go ‘in heat’?
First heat is usually around the six month mark. > How old do they have to be when they are bred?
How old is not the primary issue. (But definitely not at six months. The dog needs to have completed her own growing and maturing.) Why would you want to breed her? You obviously have very little knowledge of dogs. What makes you a responsible breeder? What makes your dog worth breeding? Simply the fact that she has a working reproductive system and she’s adorable is far, far, far from enough. Your dog should be spayed. The vet won’t do it while she’s in heat but you should get it done as soon as she’s out. (We always figured nine days coming in, nine days standing and nine days going out.) Then you won’t have to deal with the hassle and mess of her coming into heat twice a year. And the world does not need any puppies that she would have had. — ~~Judy Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole. Roger Caras
Response:
>> I’m hoping someone here can answer my questions… > Do all dogs have menstrual cycles? > I’ve always heard that poodles do, but, are they > the only ones? >Yes, all unspayed females without overriding health problems will have >menstrual cycles.
Actually, they have estrus cycles. Mentrual cycles, by definition, are monthly, and dogs don’t have monthly cycles. Sally Hennessey
Response:
Just by someone asking questions, do you ALWAYS jump to conclusions and make an ass out of yourself? I do not want to breed my dog. I simply asked a question. Yes, I have very little knowledge, she is my first pet, but you can rest assured, I want ask YOU to answer any of my questions. I thought this newsgroup was here for people to learn. I don’t think its a very good avenue for you to take to come off telling me that I shouldn’t breed my dog when I don’t even have the intention. And by the way, her going in heat twice a year is not a ‘hassle’. I think you need to be careful as to not over step your boundaries. And one more thing you can rest assured of, when and if I ever take a notion to breed her, I will. I don’t need some stranger across a computer screen to tell me I shouldn’t. Thanks, but no thanks. -Karen — -Karen "It seems if you believe in a dream enough, it has to come true" -Bryan White
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m hoping someone here can answer my questions… > Do all dogs have menstrual cycles? > I’ve always heard that poodles do, but, are they > the only ones? > Yes, all unspayed females without overriding health problems will have > menstrual cycles. > I have a miniature schnauzer and I think she is starting to > have one. > How old are dogs when they start to go ‘in heat’? > First heat is usually around the six month mark. > How old do they have to be when they are bred? > How old is not the primary issue. (But definitely not at six months. The > dog needs to have completed her own growing and maturing.) Why would you > want to breed her? You obviously have very little knowledge of dogs. What > makes you a responsible breeder? What makes your dog worth breeding? > Simply the fact that she has a working reproductive system and she’s > adorable is far, far, far from enough. > Your dog should be spayed. The vet won’t do it while she’s in heat but you > should get it done as soon as she’s out. (We always figured nine days > coming in, nine days standing and nine days going out.) Then you won’t have > to deal with the hassle and mess of her coming into heat twice a year. And > the world does not need any puppies that she would have had. > — > ~~Judy > Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole. Roger Caras
Response:
Thank you so much for your intelligent response. I have since was able to find some information out on dogs going in heat. I do appreciate your help, unlike some others that I think jumped the gun. Thanks again. -Karen — -Karen "It seems if you believe in a dream enough, it has to come true" -Bryan White
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I’m hoping someone here can answer my questions… >> Do all dogs have menstrual cycles? >> I’ve always heard that poodles do, but, are they >> the only ones? >Yes, all unspayed females without overriding health problems will have >menstrual cycles. > Actually, they have estrus cycles. Mentrual cycles, by definition, > are monthly, and dogs don’t have monthly cycles. > Sally Hennessey
Response:
> Just by someone asking questions, do you ALWAYS jump to conclusions and make > an ass out of yourself? > I do not want to breed my dog. I simply asked a question.
I don’t think it was a very big leap. I cannot imagine why you would ask the question unless you were at least considering it. Otherwise, why would it matter? And, for the record, I did answer your question. She should not be bred until she reaches her full growth and maturity. Average age for first breeding is probably two or three years. And to add to that, responsible schnauzer breeders don’t breed their females until they have finished their championships. And why, if you aren’t at least keeping the option open to be able to breed her, why would you have such a reaction to having her spayed? >And by the way, her going in heat twice a year is not a ‘hassle’.
I think you need to live through it a few more times in your life before you can be so certain of that. This is obviously the first time for you. I doubt anyone here who has a breeding female would argue with the word "hassle". You have to live with a dog who is not entirely herself for a month at a time twice a year. She may be more loving toward you. She may be completely bitchy. She may not behave as well as she normally does. She may pace around the house. She may insist on going outside constantly. She will be bleeding much of the time which means you will be cleaning up after her wherever she sits or lies. When she is outside, you will need to be especially watchful. You will not be able to allow her off-leash at these times. If you walk her around the neighborhood, everywhere she urinates – which she will likely do more frequently – she will be leaving a scent trail for any available male dog to follow her back to your door. Once they determine that she is there, they may hang around and wait for her to come out again. And I mean they will stay for days. This will make it difficult for you to even be able to take her out for a walk. Now, do that twice a year for the next fifteen years and then you can answer whether or not it’s a hassle. I didn’t say it was impossible to do. I didn’t say it was a *huge* problem. Some people have situations that make it a little easier to handle than others. Some dogs handle it better than others. I think the term "hassle" was pretty accurate. I’m sorry you took such offense to what I had to say. I believe every word I said to you. I have a miniature schnauzer and I have a great love for the breed. I see way too many poorly bred schnauzers and it frustrates me. Since you asked your questions here, I assume that you did not get the dog from a responsible breeder. Otherwise, the breeder would have been available to you to answer the questions. And, the breeder would not have sold you a puppy if you were not going to have her spayed. Since you did not have a responsible breeder to say these things to you, I did. I’m sure you have a wonderful schnauzer. I’ve honestly never met one that wasn’t. But that does not mean there is a chance in that world that her being bred will benefit her or the schanuzer breed. If you do it, you are doing it only for your own selfish reasons. So why not have her spayed? Leaving your female schnauzer intact has *no* advantages to you. If she gets bred accidentally (or by your choice) you run the risk of losing your much loved pet with complications of the pregnancy and delivery. Since you have never done this before (based on your questions), the risk is probably greater than for an experienced breeder. And it’s definitely greater than you imagine. You won’t be as quick to recognize problems if they develop. Why would you put her through that? Pregnancy and birth are not wonderful events is a dog’s life. The only reason I can see for your response is that I hit the nail on the head. You have at least considered breeding her. If you don’t like my answer, ignore it. I’m sure you will. This is a newsgroup. What you get may be worth exactly what you paid for it. Your offense at my comments says more about you than about my commments. — ~~Judy Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole. Roger Caras
Response:
> Actually, they have estrus cycles. Mentrual cycles, by definition, > are monthly, and dogs don’t have monthly cycles.
This is really a matter of semantics. But does that mean that if I only have two a year that it’s an estrus cycle and not menstrual? — ~~Judy Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole. Roger Caras
Response:
>> Actually, they have estrus cycles. Mentrual cycles, by definition, > are monthly, and dogs don’t have monthly cycles. >This is really a matter of semantics. But does that mean that if I only >have two a year that it’s an estrus cycle and not menstrual?
By definition, animals have estrus cycles. Humans have menstrual cycles. If you only have a couple of menstrual cycles a year, you have irregular menstrual cycles. Sally Hennessey
Response:
> I don’t think it was a very big leap. I cannot imagine why you would ask > the question unless you were at least considering it.
My response to that was, "if and when I decide to, I will" meaning, I may later, but not at this point.And guess what? That’s my prerogative. >And by the way, her going in heat twice a year is not a ‘hassle’.
As much as I have put up with so far, it is very minimal, considering other things I consider to be a hassle. Sounds like everything is a hassle to you. > I think you need to live through it a few more times in your life before you > can be so certain of that.
I suppose that my opinion counts for absolutely nothing since I’m not as experienced as you are. All I have to go by is what I have experienced, and yes, I have had to give her more attention, but it is NOT a hassle. She will be bleeding much of the time which means you will be cleaning up after > her wherever she sits or lies.
Have you never heard of pants? As experienced as you are, seems like you would have at least suggested them to me. It’s amazing, blood doesn’t get on everything. – > I’m sorry you took such offense to what I had to say.
Apology accepted. I think you must do this with everything and everyone though. Why don’t you give your two cents (and then some) when you are asked. When people ask questions, it doesn’t always mean they want you to make assumptions and then give your opinions on them. Answer questions, try to be of help instead of trying to make people do things the way YOU think is the correct way. When you can start controlling what everyone does, then you can tell them how to do everything. ANOTHER assumption: > Since you asked your questions here, I assume that you did not get the dog > from a responsible breeder. Otherwise, the breeder would have been > available to you to answer the questions.
Noone could hold a light to the breeder I got my schnauzer from. Although, she does not sit by the phone 24/7 waiting for my questions, but when I do call, and she’s actually home, waiting on me to call……. She is very helpful and constantly welcomes my concerns. She would probably love to tell you a thing or two, especially if she read what kind of assumptions you made about her also. > The only reason I can see for your response is that I hit the nail on the > head. You have at least considered breeding her. If you don’t like my > answer, ignore it. I’m sure you will. This is a newsgroup. What you get > may be worth exactly what you paid for it.
Ignore you? You’d get too much satisfaction out of that. And yes, your response was worth exactly what I paid for it…. absolutely nothing. Your offense at my comments says more about you than about my commments. And why is that Judy? Noone ever go against what you say? I’m not really sure why you think you had to go so far with this, but I’d like to think you try to help. I have made a couple of suggestions to you so far, but I really think you overstep boundaries when you try to cut someone down for their lack of knowledge on a subject, instead of being totally helpful, try to direct them to make the best decision for them, you tell them what to do. That is totally absurd. Ya know, One thing you have reminded me of is how ridiculous some people can be. The other response I got was more knowledgeable than yours. And yes, you probably do have estrus cycles.
Response:
>>The only reason I can see for your response is that I hit the nail on the
head. You have at least considered breeding her. If you don’t like my answer, ignore it. I’m sure you will. This is a newsgroup. What you get may be worth exactly what you paid for it. Your offense at my comments says more about you than about my commments<< I’m new here, but your comments sure did raise what I thought was an extreme overreaction. If someone knows so little as to ask about a dog’s "menstrual" cycle, they certainly aren’t too savvy about dogs and breeding! And like you said, it doesn’t do the dog a favor, among other things. So she didn’t take out a banner about her intentions; I had the same reaction when I read her initial post as you did. Nonsequitur
Response:
> Noone could hold a light to the breeder I got my schnauzer from. > Although, she does not sit by the phone 24/7 waiting for my questions, but > when I do call, and she’s actually home, waiting on me to call……. > She is very helpful and constantly welcomes my concerns. She would probably > love to tell you a thing or two, especially if she read what kind of > assumptions you made about her also.
Then why didn’t you ask HER these questions, instead of strangers? Oh, you might also ask her the symptoms of pyometra while you’re at it. You probably won’t recognize them until your dog is about to die, though… Christy *tired* of BYBS and wanna-bes
Response:
> I’m hoping someone here can answer my questions…
Okay, since you didn’t like my first response let me be absolutely clear this time. Although if you what you want is perfectly factual information, I suggest that you research somewhere other than a discussion newsgroup. Yes, this can be a source of information but you have no way of knowing who is an expert and who is not. You get what we believe to be true. And you get opinions. There are many sources of reliable information, some on the web, some from breeders, some from vets, some from Barnes and Noble. > Do all dogs have menstrual cycles?
No. Female, unspayed but otherwise healthy dogs have estrus cycles. These vary from menstrual cycles because an estrus cycle indicates when a dog will be fertile. It will occur approximately twice a year in domestic dogs. Dogs will bleed during this time period, hence the comparison to menstruation. Their bleeding occurs when they are fertile, unlike humans. Similar cycles, but there are differences. The information I felt you were after was that it was normal for your female schnauzer to bleed. And that it indicates that she is in heat and physically able to be bred. And just FYI, estrus also occurs in cats, cows, horses and any other mammals I can think of off the top of my head. There may be exceptions. > How old are dogs when they start to go ‘in heat’?
The first estrus period usually occurs when a female dog is around six months of age. This can be affected by her own health and growth and by the presence of other female dogs in heat. Like women who live together whose menstrual cycles frequently coordinate, dogs who live together will often come into their heat cycles together. > How old do they have to be when they are bred?
Now, sorry, this is where you lose me. There is no other reason to ask this question than if you have some thought of breeding her. And there is every indication that doing so would be of no benefit to the world. And certainly not to your dog. My personal soapbox and you walked into it. Reproductively, your dog can be bred at her first heat cycle. At a bare minimum, you should wait until she has reached her full growth and maturity. This is probably at her second heat cycle at the very earliest for schnauzers. Third or fourth would be better. Larger breed dogs may not reach their full growth until they are two years old or older. You didn’t ask, but it’s my experience that most responsible breeders do not breed their females more than twice in a lifetime. And just to do my own testing to see if I was, as you said, jumping to a conclusion, I showed your first post to some other dog people. Their responses were pretty immediate, concise and universal. The unanimous answer was that if you had to ask these questions, that the dog should be 27 and you should be fully mature. Makes my response seem pretty reasonable in comparison, doesn’t it? — ~~Judy Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole. Roger Caras
Response:
Methinks she doth protest too much…. — Lori Reynolds in Peoria, IL with the Sighthound Six-Pack http://www.geocities.com/reynoldsfamily_2000 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I don’t think it was a very big leap. I cannot imagine why you would ask > the question unless you were at least considering it. > My response to that was, "if and when I decide to, I will" meaning, I may > later, but not at this point.And guess what? That’s my prerogative. > >And by the way, her going in heat twice a year is not a ‘hassle’. > As much as I have put up with so far, it is very minimal, considering other > things I consider to be a hassle. Sounds like everything is a hassle to you. > I think you need to live through it a few more times in your life before > you > can be so certain of that. > I suppose that my opinion counts for absolutely nothing since I’m not as > experienced as you are. All I have to go by is what I have experienced, and > yes, I have had to give her more attention, but it is NOT a hassle. > She will be bleeding much of the time which means you will be cleaning up > after > her wherever she sits or lies. > Have you never heard of pants? > As experienced as you are, seems like you would have at least suggested them > to me. It’s amazing, blood doesn’t get on everything. – > I’m sorry you took such offense to what I had to say. > Apology accepted. I think you must do this with everything and everyone > though. Why don’t you give your two cents (and then some) when you are > asked. When people ask questions, it doesn’t always mean they want you to > make assumptions and then give your opinions on them. > Answer questions, try to be of help instead of trying to make people do > things the way YOU think is the correct way. When you can start controlling > what everyone does, then you can tell them how to do everything. > ANOTHER assumption: > Since you asked your questions here, I assume that you did not get the dog > from a responsible breeder. Otherwise, the breeder would have been > available to you to answer the questions. > Noone could hold a light to the breeder I got my schnauzer from. > Although, she does not sit by the phone 24/7 waiting for my questions, but > when I do call, and she’s actually home, waiting on me to call……. > She is very helpful and constantly welcomes my concerns. She would probably > love to tell you a thing or two, especially if she read what kind of > assumptions you made about her also. > The only reason I can see for your response is that I hit the nail on the > head. You have at least considered breeding her. If you don’t like my > answer, ignore it. I’m sure you will. This is a newsgroup. What you get > may be worth exactly what you paid for it. > Ignore you? You’d get too much satisfaction out of that. And yes, your > response was worth exactly what I paid for it…. absolutely nothing. > Your offense at my comments says more about you than about my commments. > And why is that Judy? Noone ever go against what you say? I’m not really > sure why you think you had to go so far with this, but I’d like to think you > try to help. > I have made a couple of suggestions to you so far, but > I really think you overstep boundaries when you try to cut someone down for > their lack of knowledge on a subject, instead of being totally helpful, try > to direct them to make the best decision for them, you tell them what to do. > That is totally absurd. > Ya know, One thing you have reminded me of is how ridiculous some people can > be. The other response I got was more knowledgeable than yours. > And yes, you probably do have estrus cycles.
Response:
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