Guardian Program: Frequently Asked Questions
How often do females go into heat? - Every 6-8 months
How long does heat last? - heat cycle typically lasts 18 days.
When will her first heat be? - Anywhere from 6 - 24 months. Every dog is different and can vary depending on size. Smaller doodles typically have their first heat sooner while standard labradoodles have their first heat later.
How will I know she’s in heat? - At first, vaginal discharge is blood-tinged you'll notice a drop of blood on your floor and the vulva is swollen.
Is it messy? - Typically you may notice a drop of blood on the floor here or there. For tile or wood floors, this is easy to clean up. If you have carpeting, you may want to use a doggie diaper. Each female is different but most keep themselves quite clean. Their bed can get stained while they're in heat so you may want to put a towel over it.
Does she have a bloody discharge the whole 18 days? - No. She will likely have a bloody discharge for the first week but then when the female is receptive to males, her vaginal discharge decreases in amount and is straw-colored.
Will I have to worry about her getting bred by other male dogs? - A female in heat can attract male dogs by her scent so, it's important to not let her outside alone unsupervised while she's in heat, even if you have a fenced yard.
Can we visit while our guardian dog is at Parks Avenue Goldendoodles? - No. You will not be allowed to visit during your dogs stay at Parks Avenue Goldendoodles.
How many litters would a female have? - No more than 5 litters.