If you have a Belgian Malinois female, you might be interested in her heat cycle and everything related to it. No matter you want to breed your Malinois or you just want to keep your dog safe and comfortable during this important and sometimes stressful period.
Belgian Malinois female usually goes into her first heat when she is 6 months old( although can happen when she is 9 or even 12 months old) and she will experience estrus ( heat cycle) approximately every 6 months.
During this period she will be receptive to mating. Since dogs don’t have menopause-like humans, Belgian Malinois will continue having heat cycles for the rest of her life.
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What Are The Symptoms? How Does The Belgian Malinois In Heat Look Like?
The heat cycle in Belgian Malinois ( like in other dogs) has 4 stages. The first two usually provoke some symptoms and when people talk about ”heat” they are talking precisely about this period. The last two stages last longer but have no visible signs.
1. The first stage is called Proestrus and it can last 1-27 days but the average length of this phase is 9 days. During this stage, your dog’s vulva might be swollen and you might notice bloody vaginal discharge.
Your Malinois girl may pee more often in this period. She is still not receptive to males so if some male approaches her, she might act aggressively.
Doggie diapers can help you keep things clean. You can also put a clean towel on the place where you Mal usually takes a nap.
Female dogs in this stage may be a bit jumpy, nervous, or edgy. Your dog also is more attached to you than usual.
2. The next stage is called Estrus. Only during this phase, Malinois females are ready to mate. The vulva is less swollen now and the bloody discharge is reduced. Note that discharge may not be red but also clear or brownish.
One of the symptoms that can be seen in this stage is also raised tail in female Mals.
Be aware of the fact that males can smell the female in heat from miles away so keep an eye on your Mal girl if you don’t want to have puppies.
Note that other female dogs that are not in heat may act aggressively towards your dog that is in heat.
This phase usually lasts also 9 days but in theory can last from 4 -24 days.
Note that after Estrus, your dog can get a serious condition called Pyometra. It’s an infection of the uterus. If you notice pus-like discharge rush to the vet, as this condition is considered urgent. It may be lethal.
3. The third phase is called Diestrus. This stage can last up to 2 months. It still possible your dog has swollen vulva and bloody discharge but very little.
However Mal girl is not fertile anymore and if any male approaches her for mating, she will act aggressively.
4. The last stage is called Anestrus. This phase is the longest one and can last up to 4 months. There are no obvious signs, no swollen vulva, blood discharge nor behavioral changes.
At What Age Does Belgian Malinois Go Into Heat?
Every dog is different, even in the same breed. In general female dogs go into heat for the first time when they turn 6 months but it can happen later as well for example when a female is 9-12 months old.
Larger breeds usually go into heat for the first time later than smaller dogs and Malinois is considered a medium to large dog. Some giant breeds may go into heat for the first time when they turn 18 months or even 2 years.
What is characteristic of dogs is that once they go into heat for the first time, it never stops. They go into heat every 6 months, so generally 2 times a year.
Of course, it depends on many things like genetics, health status, diet ( malnourished dogs don’t go into heat cycle that often as twice a year).
Dogs don’t have menopause-like humans, so they can go into heat as seniors as well.
Can Belgian Malinois Get Pregnant While Not In Heat?
No, Belgian Malinois cannot get pregnant if she is not in heat. But the trouble is to identify the exact period when your Mal girl is fertile. Usually, that is the main problem.
Many owners though have a hard time recognizing and keeping track of when their dog is ready to mate.
Is There Any Special Care During Heat?
Your Malinois girl will keep cleaning herself, as usual, no matter she is in heat. But in some cases, she might need your extra help for spot cleaning.
When it comes to bathing, just be gentle, as her nipples and vulva might be swollen and you can hurt easily.
Usually larger dogs have more bloody discharge than smaller breeds. Doggy diapers may help on occasion, keeping your dog dry and your things clean.
Change the towel you put on the doggy bed or wherever she takes a nap, on regular basis.
Most of the female dogs in heat have decreased appetite but some can experience great hunger and increased appetite. Allow your dog to eat more but always bear in mind that you should feed her high-quality, balanced food for dogs.
Mood swings and behavioral changes are common during the heat. You might notice that your dog is seeking less noisy parts of the house as she wants to be alone. Let her be alone, don’t stop her.
On the contrary to this, there are Malinois females that are going to be attached to their owners more than usual during the estrus phase.
Your dog might be agitated or restless. If so, try to play with her, brush her or simply talk to her. If your Mal feels sleepy, let her sleep.
Female dogs in heat are ready to mate, they are receptive to males so you have to pay special attention to your pet and never let her go alone anywhere.
You may notice that other dogs ( males) sniff and urinate around your house more than usual.
Should I Spay My Belgian Malinois?
Since dogs don’t have menopause, and heat cycles continue to happen the whole life, you should consider spaying your Malinois.
Unless you want to breed your dog ( which is not recommended) you should take her to a spaying procedure as soon as possible.
Some doctors suggest that spaying should be done even before the first heat cycle.
The ideal period is between 4 and 9 months of age.
This procedure is not painful and your dog won’t become lazy or fat ( these are common myths ). The spaying procedures will have a positive effect on the dog’s behavior.
Spayed Malinois are at lower risk of getting breast cancer. Also, the possibility of getting uterine infection doesn’t exist as the uterus and ovaries are removed with this procedure.
Final Thought
Belgian Malinois dogs go into heat when they turn 6 months although it can happen later. They go into heat usually twice a year.
Every heat cycle has 4 stages but only during the second one Estrus, they can get pregnant. It usually takes 9 days.
Common symptoms for Malinois dogs in heat are swollen vulva, bloody discharge, mood swings, decreased appetite.
Spaying procedure is highly recommended. Not only that you won’t have to worry about heat cycles and the possibility for your Mal to become pregnant but also this procedure reduces significantly the possibility of getting breast cancer and uterine infections such as Pyometra.
