Sexual maturity by males
Normally, during development in the womb, the testicles in male dogs begin to migrate from the area of the kidneys towards the scrotum. They follow a cord that guides the testicles there. The testicles pass through the inguinal canal, which is still open, and finally enter the scrotum.
It is no exception if the male has not completed testicular descent within the normal 6-10 weeks. However, you should monitor it and discuss it with your veterinarian.
However, it also happens that the testicles descend in males a little later. If the puppies are handed over, it cannot be predicted in advance when and whether the testicles will descend.
By the onset of puberty at around the age of 6-8 months, however, the testicles should have descended; later on, descending the testicles is usually no longer possible, especially since the inguinal canal closes.
However, it can also happen that one or both testicles do not descend. This happens due to various factors. The fact is, however, that a defective testicular descent in dogs is genetically determined. Certain breeds such as German Boxer, German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Dachshund, etc are more likely to be affected by cryptorchidism.
The testicles that remain in the abdomen have an increased risk of tumors in later age. The dogs usually should be neutered, and the testicles removed from the abdomen. If the testicles have not descended on both sides, the male cannot produce sperm. But the male dog has a sexual desire in equal measure. If only one testicle is left in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal, the male can sire offspring, but due to heredity it is a reason for exclusion from breeding.
In addition to the descent of the testicles, the onset of marking behavior between the 5-8 months of life is a sign of the male's sexual maturity. Furthermore, a pubertal behavior can generally be felt in the males - he tests his limits and questions rankings. In young males at the beginning of puberty, there is often increased mounting. It can happen that he mounts human legs, stuffed animals, other dogs (especially young males).
At this stage, many desperate owners see spaying as a last resort. However, it should be noted that neuter is not a miracle cure and must be carefully considered in each individual case.
The male sex drive often decreases significantly after the end of puberty. He needs control and consistency during this phase, so he becomes much calmer after sexual maturity.
However, sexual maturity is not identical to breeding maturity if the male is sexually and physically capable of being used for breeding. At half a year or 8 months the male would not be fully developed - therefore the national association and/or the breed club prescribes a minimum age for the first use of breeding.
It is no exception if the male has not completed testicular descent within the normal 6-10 weeks. However, you should monitor it and discuss it with your veterinarian.
However, it also happens that the testicles descend in males a little later. If the puppies are handed over, it cannot be predicted in advance when and whether the testicles will descend.
By the onset of puberty at around the age of 6-8 months, however, the testicles should have descended; later on, descending the testicles is usually no longer possible, especially since the inguinal canal closes.
However, it can also happen that one or both testicles do not descend. This happens due to various factors. The fact is, however, that a defective testicular descent in dogs is genetically determined. Certain breeds such as German Boxer, German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Dachshund, etc are more likely to be affected by cryptorchidism.
The testicles that remain in the abdomen have an increased risk of tumors in later age. The dogs usually should be neutered, and the testicles removed from the abdomen. If the testicles have not descended on both sides, the male cannot produce sperm. But the male dog has a sexual desire in equal measure. If only one testicle is left in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal, the male can sire offspring, but due to heredity it is a reason for exclusion from breeding.
In addition to the descent of the testicles, the onset of marking behavior between the 5-8 months of life is a sign of the male's sexual maturity. Furthermore, a pubertal behavior can generally be felt in the males - he tests his limits and questions rankings. In young males at the beginning of puberty, there is often increased mounting. It can happen that he mounts human legs, stuffed animals, other dogs (especially young males).
At this stage, many desperate owners see spaying as a last resort. However, it should be noted that neuter is not a miracle cure and must be carefully considered in each individual case.
The male sex drive often decreases significantly after the end of puberty. He needs control and consistency during this phase, so he becomes much calmer after sexual maturity.
However, sexual maturity is not identical to breeding maturity if the male is sexually and physically capable of being used for breeding. At half a year or 8 months the male would not be fully developed - therefore the national association and/or the breed club prescribes a minimum age for the first use of breeding.
Sexual maturity by females
The first heat is the clearest sign of a bitch's sexual maturity. Most bitches have their first heat between 6-15 months of age.
In some cases, however, it can take up to 20 months for a bitch to come into heat. In general, we can state that the bitches reach about 2/3 of their total weight before they become sexually mature.
The first heat can still be less pronounced, so it is often not immediately noticeable.
Once the female is matured, there are usually 2 heats a year. On average there is a gap of 6-8 months between heats. But even here there are exceptions. Every female has her own cycle. In some breeds, the intervals are even different - for example, the Basenji or the Thai Ridgeback, like the wolves, only comes into heat once a year.
Since the bitch is only just becoming sexually mature and is not yet fully developed, it can come to a silent heat. Despite the hormonal changes, no external signs such as swelling of the vulva or discharge are visible. In this way, the bitch can go into heat without being noticed. In other cases, the typical signs that are also visible from the outside appear, but subside after a few days and reappear - this is the so-called split heat.
Even before a female is in heat, we can see in her behavior that she marks more often than usual. She sometimes even raises her leg when she is squatting and scent marks every few steps. The males react with interest in advance and sniff the bitch. The males often show a kind of flirting with ears pricked in front of the female, trampling with the legs.
Many females are like changed when they are in heat. They are less accessible and try to see a potential partner in everyone. They are more restless, and also find no rest.
Some females, on the other hand, become more clingy and demand even more spoiling than usual. They sleep more and seem a bit melancholic and lazy.
As a rule, females clean themselves extensively during heat. Of course, it also depends on the strength of the bleeding. If necessary, you can put the female in heat panties to prevent the discharge from ending up on textiles. It's important to get your female used to her panties before she goes on heat.
The most important thing during the female's heat is to keep her away from unneutered male dogs (especially on the standing days). In the meantime, the female should only go for walks on a leash, and it is best to avoid places where there are many other dogs. It is best to warn the oncoming dog owners during the walk in advance that you have a dog in heat with you. The female smells very interesting for the males not only during their standing days. Even before and after ovulation males can harass the females, which is very stressful for everyone involved.
The first heat can still be less pronounced, so it is often not immediately noticeable.
Once the female is matured, there are usually 2 heats a year. On average there is a gap of 6-8 months between heats. But even here there are exceptions. Every female has her own cycle. In some breeds, the intervals are even different - for example, the Basenji or the Thai Ridgeback, like the wolves, only comes into heat once a year.
The heat is a natural process in sexually mature females and lasts until old age. As already mentioned, the female's first heat does not have to be quite pronounced and typical.
Since the bitch is only just becoming sexually mature and is not yet fully developed, it can come to a silent heat. Despite the hormonal changes, no external signs such as swelling of the vulva or discharge are visible. In this way, the bitch can go into heat without being noticed. In other cases, the typical signs that are also visible from the outside appear, but subside after a few days and reappear - this is the so-called split heat.
Even before a female is in heat, we can see in her behavior that she marks more often than usual. She sometimes even raises her leg when she is squatting and scent marks every few steps. The males react with interest in advance and sniff the bitch. The males often show a kind of flirting with ears pricked in front of the female, trampling with the legs.
Many females are like changed when they are in heat. They are less accessible and try to see a potential partner in everyone. They are more restless, and also find no rest.
Some females, on the other hand, become more clingy and demand even more spoiling than usual. They sleep more and seem a bit melancholic and lazy.
As a rule, females clean themselves extensively during heat. Of course, it also depends on the strength of the bleeding. If necessary, you can put the female in heat panties to prevent the discharge from ending up on textiles. It's important to get your female used to her panties before she goes on heat.
The most important thing during the female's heat is to keep her away from unneutered male dogs (especially on the standing days). In the meantime, the female should only go for walks on a leash, and it is best to avoid places where there are many other dogs. It is best to warn the oncoming dog owners during the walk in advance that you have a dog in heat with you. The female smells very interesting for the males not only during their standing days. Even before and after ovulation males can harass the females, which is very stressful for everyone involved.
