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How Long Will Your Rottweiler Usually Stay in Heat Anyway?

how long do rottweilers stay in heat

Rottweilers are great dogs, but knowing what to expect will ensure that life with your dog is as smooth as possible. One of the things that you need to know about is the duration of your female’s heat cycles, as well as the age when they start cycling.

How long do Rottweilers stay in heat?

Most Rotties stay in heat for two to four weeks per cycle. In most females, regular heat cycles will start between 12 and 18 months of age. Dogs will continue to come into heat every six months unless spayed.

This video shows typical behavior when a female begins her heat cycle. The better you understand the timing, the more likely you are to avoid accidental breedings. If you want to know more about rottweiler breeding, we wrote a complete article click here.

When Will a Female Rottweiler Go Through Puberty?

Most Rottweilers have their first heat cycles between 12 and 18 months old. This age marks the point where Rotties go through puberty.

Sometimes, a Rottweiler may have her heat cycle as early as six months. Although this is somewhat unusual, an early heat cycle is not an issue of concern in and of itself. You might think of it in the same light as a girl having an earlier period.

However, even if your Rottie comes into the heat at a young age, you should not breed her before she has reached maturity.

A Rottweiler will reach physical and emotional maturity around 24 months old. This age is a much more reasonable time to breed.

Rotties who have puppies at too young will not have the maturity to provide proper care. Rejecting the puppies is common, and the female may even attack the puppies. Puppies that the mother rejects will require bottle-feeding to survive.

Delivering puppies before physical maturity may stunt the Rottweiler’s growth. These dogs will usually grow to have strong builds and muscle tone. However, a dog who has puppies at too young an age may not reach its optimal size.

Puppies born to younger mothers have a higher rate of birth defects. These conditions can increase the odds of mortality in the puppies. If puppies with birth defects survive, they will likely have high medical costs. If you want to know how to pick a rottweiler puppy from a litter, we create a complete guide click here.

Making sure your Rottie does not become pregnant at a young age is better for her overall health. Whether you intend to breed the dog or spay her, you will want to stay more aware of her heat cycle.

How Often Do Rottweilers Come Into Heat?

Most Rottweilers come into heat every four to six months. The exact timing of the cycle can vary from dog to dog. Dog breeders, veterinarians, and owners will often affirm that the timing of the dog’s heat cycle is not an exact science.

The length of a heat cycle may vary with individual females, with cycles being of varying lengths. Sometimes, the frequency and length of the dog’s cycle will change with age.

The presence of an intact male will sometimes trigger a female’s heat cycle. This occurrence is a type of survival instinct that dogs have inherited from their earlier ancestors.

According to Cherrydown Vets, multiple females in the same household often have synchronized heat cycles. A more dominant female may have her cycle occur first.

If you prefer to wait until another time to do so or do not plan to breed your Rottie, knowing when you can expect the heat cycle to happen is essential. The good thing is that each of the heat cycle’s four stages has different signs you can observe.

What Are the Stages of a Rottweiler Heat Cycle?

Breeding Business cites four distinct stages that your Rottweiler will go through during her cycle. Identifying where your dog is in her cycle helps you know what to expect.

The first stage, proestrus, lasts about nine days. Your dog’s estrogen levels will rise, and her eggs will mature. Dogs at this stage have swollen vulvas and some bloody discharge. However, during this stage, they are not receptive to mating.

Next is the oestrus stage, which also lasts about nine days. The discharge will change to a clear rather than a bloody one. Your Rottie will be more open to male attention and can get pregnant.

The diestrus stage lasts 60 to 90 days, assuming that the female is not pregnant. Females refuse male advances during this time. In pregnant females, this phase lasts 58 to 63 days and accounts for the time that she is pregnant.

Last is the anestrus stage, which lasts four or five months until the next cycle. This particular time is usually the best time to spay your Rottie if she is not used for breeding.

When you have an idea of whether your dog is at a phase where she may become pregnant, you can take the necessary precautions. If your female is bred, you know when it will be a good time to breed her and ensure a successful pregnancy.

Are There Health Risks to a Rottweiler Having Heat Cycles?

According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, pyometra is a serious vaginal infection that can occur in dogs. The infection is bacterial, although hormones help influence the spread.

A spayed dog is unable to contract this type of infection. The only way this infection can occur in an already-spayed female is if part of the uterus was retained after the spay. However, this is a very rare occurrence.

Although a bloody discharge can be a sign that your Rottweiler has a pyometra, this may not be present. In some cases, the dog’s cervix is closed. You will be likely to tell that something is wrong based on other signs.

Your dog might show signs of depression or be lethargic and refuse food. Other signs include excessive water intake, increased urination, and pale mucous membranes. This type of infection can often involve multiple organ systems and be life-threatening.

Vets can diagnose this type of infection through an exam, as well as blood, urine, and radiological tests. Your vet will need to stabilize your dog and treat the infection first. After these steps, a spay will usually be done.

Although it may be disappointing to have to spay your Rottie if you hadn’t planned to, an intervention will make a difference. Your dog will be more likely to have a long, enjoyable life.

How Do I Keep my Rottweiler From Getting Pregnant?

According to Pet Ponder, there are several steps you can take to prevent your Rottweiler from getting pregnant.

Although spaying is the best course of action, you may need to wait or may want to breed your dog. The good thing to know is that there are some steps you can take to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Avoid letting your female out unsupervised while she is in heat. If your yard is not fenced, keep her leashed or use a kernel with a roof cover. Spray Any areas where she has pottied with bleach to discourage males.

Confine any intact males to another part of the house or use crates to prevent accidental matings. Avoid taking the female out through the room where the male is.

You may want to give the female chlorophyll tablets to minimize her scent.

Your vet may be able to give your dog an injection to pause her heat cycle. Although this is not a solution you will be able to use all the time, it might give you some time until you can have your Rottie spayed.

Rottweilers Stay in Heat for Two to Four Weeks

Your Rottweiler will be in heat for two to four weeks. Knowing what to expect can help prevent unwanted pregnancies or loan breeding more effectively.