As an owner of a female Bloodhound dog, it is extremely important to learn how to recognize the heat cycle signs. And not just that. Taking care of a dog in heat can be rather challenging so it’s good for you to know what is really going on with your Bloodhound in these weeks, what to expect and how to handle your dog properly.
Bloodhound dog goes into her first heat somewhere between 6 and 12 months of age. The heat cycle usually repeats approximately every 6-9 months and lasts for approximately 3 weeks. Usual symptoms are the swollen vulva, increased urination, red discharge but also some behavioral as well as appetite changes.
Spaying procedure is generally recommended, and even though it can be performed between the age of 6 to 9 months, do consult your vet since many breeders recommend waiting with the surgery until your dog is 18-24 months old. Breeding is not recommended before the third heat.
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At What Age Does Bloodhound Go Into First Heat?
There is a general rule of thumb that larger breeds go into heat later than smaller ones. Bloodhound dogs usually go into first heat somewhere between 10 and 12 months of age. Of course, the first heat may happen earlier- in the period of 6 months but also significantly later, close to your dog’s second birthday.
Heat cycles can be irregular in the beginning but tend to normalize in the first two years.
How Long Do Bloodhounds Bleed When in Heat?
Large dogs, like Bloodhounds, tend to bleed more than smaller breeds, and this breed is not an exception. Still, every dog in heat is trying to maintain the maximum level of hygiene by constant licking. So unless your Bloodhound girl has a very heavy flow the mess that she makes will be moderate.
A Bloodhound girl may bleed 7-10 days. Bloody discharge is characteristic of the first 11 days of a heat cycle.
During the first phase of the heat cycle – Proestrus -the body of your dog is getting ready to mate. The Bloodhound girl won’t be receptive to males, may show a certain level of hostility and aggressiveness towards males while in this phase but you should still keep a close eye on her all the time.
Males could try to mount her even a couple of days before she steps in the most fertile phase.
Some light bleeding may continue after the first phase, when your dog passes to another phase called Estrus, but that discharge ( if there is any) will be pale in color ( yellow or pink) and less in quantity.
How To Know If My Bloodhound Dog is In Heat?
Heat signs are pretty obvious and you won’t need much effort to learn how to recognize them.
Every dog in heat goes through three major phases, Proestrus, Estrus, and Diestrus.
Proestrus is the period during which the body of your furry friend is getting ready to mate. Physical changes like swollen vulva and bloody discharge are completely normal and expected. Excessive licking of the genital area is also one of the symptoms.
Your Bloodhound girl won’t be in the mood to mate yet, moreover, she may show some aggression toward males.
Behavioral changes are also something you will surely notice – your Bloodhound girl may experience a lack of energy and decreased appetite. Also, she might become more clingy and affectionate with you.
Whatever you put in the bowl, she will just turn her head away. You shouldn’t worry about this as losing some pounds won’t hurt her. She will get back on track very soon.
Estrus is the most dangerous period unless you want Bloodhound babies. This is the phase during which your canine girl is in the mood to hang around boys.
On the other hand, she may express aggression towards females because she feels she needs to fight for the attention of the males.
Swelling of the vulva is reduced but still exists in order to make the vulva soft enough for penetration. Bleeding has been stopped or still exists but just in traces.
Actually, the most fertile period (11-14th day of the beginning of the heat cycle) for a dog is when the discharge becomes watery, this is the time of ovulation.
You might spot more frequent urination in your Bloodhound dog during this period. She releases pheromones with the urine which are an invitation to all males and information that she is ready to mate.
Diestrus is the third phase of the heat cycle. The body is getting back to normal again. The vulva is not swollen anymore, there is not any discharge and your Cane Corso girl returns to her usual self. This phase lasts for about 2 months.
The Diestrus phase is followed by the Anestrus phase. This is an inactive stage of the heat cycle. In the case of large dogs like Bloodhounds, this phase may last 150 days. Even at the beginning of this phase, your dog can get pregnant so keep her away from males until all heat symptoms vanish.
How Often Do Bloodhounds Go Into Heat?
Bloodhound dogs usually go into heat twice a year or every 6 months. Of course, this can vary, especially as this is a large breed, and large/giant breeds may go into heat less frequently than other breeds.
When Should I Spay My Bloodhound?
Unless you tend to breed your Bloodhound girl you should spay her.
However, you should not spay your pet before her growth plates close since this procedure will affect the production of hormones essential to bone health and growth.
Some experts say it should be done before or right after her first heat ( 6-9 months of age) while others suggest waiting a little bit until your dog is full-grown (18-24 months)
The most reliable advice you will get from your vet, of course. The general rule of thumb is that large dogs should be spayed later than smaller breeds.
Spaying has many advantages though. Many studies have shown that spayed dogs have fewer chances to get mammary cancer.
Since this procedure involves removing ovaries and uterus, this means that your dog will never get cancer-related to these organs.
Don’t forget that if you spay her, you won’t have to deal with unwanted pregnancy and litter.
How To Take Care Of My Bloodhound When In Heat?
Being in heat, for one dog can be a rather challenging period. Your Bloodhound in the heat requires special care and attention.
Here are a few care tips that may help you :
Provide extra attention
Your Bloodhound may become needy and clingy, do provide extra attention and time since your canine girl might need more cuddles than usual.
Provide moderate physical activity
Although a Bloodhound in heat may experience a lower level of energy, she still needs to get out, you just need to follow some basic rules to keep her safe outside. First of all, you should never walk your dog off-leash. No matter how well trained you think your Bloodhound is, obedience training and your rules cannot compete with the natural instinct and hormones. Don’t push your luck, always keep your dog on a leash when you are outside.
Avoid dog parks, dog shows, and other group events as these places are high-risk locations for your dog in heat.
It’s even recommended to walk your dog in less sociable hours, very early in the morning or late at night, use less crowded areas to reduce the chance of meeting other dogs.
Keep male dogs away from your Bloodhound girl
This sounds very basic but it’s very important. You must not allow your Bloodhound to come into the contact with any male dog. Don’t rely on your fence, keep her away from your neighbor’s dog, don’t let any of your friends come to your home with a male dog while your dog is in her season.
Stray dogs are especially dangerous, so you really need to be careful. They can be especially annoying when you take a walk with your dog since they don’t have an owner who will pull them back.
If you have several dogs in your household and one or more of them are males, you definitely need to separate them from the female in heat.
Try to mask your Bloodhound scent
When you are indoor, try to keep all windows closed so the smell cannot attract stray dogs to come and hang around your house.
You can also use scented sprays and essential oils specially designed for female dogs in heat. Menthol scented sprays are very popular but you can find a variety of different scents on the market ( lavender, clove, eucalyptus, wintergreen)
Never leave your Bloodhound in the heat outside unspervised
You might think that your spacious backyard with a good fence is safe to place for your Bloodhound in heat. Instead of going for walk with her, you may consider leaving her to play in the yard as a better idea.
Well, it’s not! Never ever leave a dog in heat outside without supervision. You wouldn’t believe how creative and aggressive males can be when they smell a female in heat. Your solid fence won’t be an obstacle for them. Another thing is that your dog also has a strong urge to vanish and find some mating mates ( especially during the Estrus phase).
Distract your Bloodhound mind
Distract your Bloodhound’s mind with interesting interactive, food releasing toys like Kong or puzzles. Chewing toys are also a hit, as gnawing can help her relax a little bit and focus on something else.
Provide safe and calm area
Provide some cozy, quiet place where your Bloodhound can nap whenever she feels the need to
Allow your Bloodhound dog to rest more when in heat. Dogs in heat suffer from energy loss so your dog may sleep more and play less. That’s ok, completely normal.
Stimulate appetite with special dog food
Your Bloodhound in heat may become a picky eater. Offer her a favorite food more often, tastier cuts of meat, add some delicious oils like coconut or fish oil to her kibbles, enrich her food with some tasty toppings…
If nothing helps, try hand feeding.
Keep your dog clean
There is no reason to skip bathing your Bloodhound because she is in heat.
You should make an extra effort when it comes to your dog’s hygiene and wipe her private parts at least once or even twice daily during the first two phases of her heat cycle. This way you will keep her clean and reduce the odor she emits.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful to understand what does your female Bloodhound going trough in this special condition and how to care for her.
