Bitches come into season at roughly 6 months of age (and every 6 months after that give or take a couple of weeks) although with a large dog like a Lab it can be a bit later. You will get telltale blood spotting and the season lasts for about 3 weeks.
Pol has just turned 5 months old and I already have the antimate tablets and the spray ready for her.
I know my Gracie and Vicky's Ruby were 15 months when they came into season. Biggest taletale signs are bloodloss, swelling, going off food, moodiness, dogs interested in her. Seasons last 21 - 28 days
Hello! Yes it varies just like in humans. From 6 months on it can happen, my Kyra had hers at 11 months old. You might also see some swelling just before the bleeding starts. You could do the tissue test, in the morning before she gets up you can wipe a white tissue to check for blood.
yes they do although the blood may turn watery about half way through this is when they are ovulating NOT the end of the season.
Ruby was late/light and quick - she breezed through it but as Sonia said kept me on 'season watch' for nearly a year as she was 15 months hehe she is certainly a minx
I put old white sheets over her bedding - that way you cannot mistake day one.
Ruby didnt swell prior to her season only once she was in season.
I was dreading the season but it really wasnt that bad. I am assuming you know about not walking them while in season?
Thanks for that, I read another post on here saying it was best to take her somewhere quiet in the car, for a quick walk where there wouldn't be any other dogs and make it quick and not let her off her lead. Is this right? or is it best too keep them in?
Yeah I am dreading it, as I have heard horror stories about them trying to get out etc, (it just like when you are pregnant and everyone lets you know all their awful stories about child birth ) lol. I guess because she is my first pup, it the not knowing.
awww it wont be anywhere near as bad as you are expecting and tbh you will probably have a while yet as poppy is only 5 months - I think about average or should I say average I see on here is about 10-12 months old for a first season.
I kept Ruby in just beacsue I didnt feel confident enough in my abilities to deal with any situation that arose.
If you do decide to walk her the she needs to stay on lead throughout and the general idea is
week 1 - lead walks out of hours in quiet non doggy places (a male dog will get into a tizzy hours and hours later though)
week 2-3 - keep her in
week 4 - same as week 1
I planned loads of games and training and allsorts to keep my looney pup occupied but something must have kicked in hormonally and she was quite happy to stay in the whole way through. I had a few friends come round who had bitches too so Ruby could have a play which was great. Do you know anyone with female dogs that could come visit?
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and not let her off her lead. Is this right? or is it best too keep them in?
) lol. I guess because she is my first pup, it the not knowing. 
