How to tell if Your Lhasa Apso is in Heat

As a dog owner and a breeder, it has always been crucial for me to know when exactly my female dogs are going to be in heat. I have consulted some veterinarians for this, and they have provided me with some tips to predict when dogs, including a Lhasa Apso, will be in heat.

So how can you tell if your Lhasa Apso is in heat? Lhasa’s come into heat usually twice a year so the typical pattern would be every six months. Most Lhasa Apso’s start to heat at an average of 8 months. But they are small breeds so they may start to heat as early as the fourth month after birth as compared to giant breeds which may take place not until they are 2 years old.

There are also cases where female dogs’ heat cycle happens 4 times a year and some only once, so it is imperative to observe your pet. Aside from predicting the approximate time your Lhasa Apso will be in heat, there are other ways to know this while it is currently happening.

Signs that Your Lhasa Apso is in Heat

Your female Lhasa Apso, being in heat means that she is ready, or is about, to become sexually receptive to male dogs.

It is our job as pet-owners to notice everything that our pets are telling us through observing what they do or what their body tells us. If we don’t pay attention to what they are attempting to tell us, you may find you and your dog in “interesting” situations.

Actually, there are signs that you can observe from your Lhasa Apso if she is in heat. If we fail to notice these, we may be in the horror of having unwanted pregnancy for our dogs.

In a human female, there are signs that she displays when she is on her period. These include moodiness, cravings for certain types of food and some premenstrual syndromes. Like in dogs, your female Lhasa Apso will also display signs when she is in heat. Here is a list of those signs.

Behavioral Changes when she is in Heat:

Attitude

Your Lhasa Apso may become shy, may show nervousness or agitated at times. She may also become more cuddly and clingy than usual but may also become more aggressive and protective.

Hoarder

She may start collecting stuffed animals, her toys or even her food and place them where she sleeps and tries to nest in them.

Mounting

Your Lhasa Apso will start to mount her stuffed animals, another dog when you go for a walk and even your feet at times. She may also allow other male dogs to mount her so be careful about this change.

Potty training seems went off

You will also notice that your Lhasa Apso will urinate wherever she wants whether it be in the house or in public places where you usually take a walk. This is not only her way of marking but also her way to attract male dogs.

Because of her frequent urination, she may also start to lick her genital area more often to clean it.

Physical Changes when she is Heat:

Swollen Vulva

You may observe that her vulva is swollen, but this is not a reason to be alarmed. This swelling is not painful in any way. This swelling also happens just before any spotting or bleeding may occur.

Swollen nipples

This is not common but some dogs, together with the swelling of the vulva, will have swollen nipples. This is also non-painful for your Lhasa Apso.

Spotting

This is defined as having a bloody discharge that you can notice coming out of its swollen vulva. Amount of discharge varies. Some may have small drops, but some may have heavy that decreases as the heat cycle progresses.

Some behavioral changes may vary from dog to dog, but these are the common ones.

If you cannot cope with these things and you cannot be there whenever your Lhasa Apso is in heat, consider having her spayed. This is also a way if you don’t want your dogs to breed.

What is spaying? Spayingis the process of surgically removing the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. The male counterpart procedure for this is neuteringwhere both testicles and other associated structures are removed.

Aside from eliminating the burden of having to cope with your dog’s behavioral and physical changes, spaying also removes the possibility of your dog having severe health problems like mammary cancer.

Spaying your dog can be done as early as six to nine months. But if puppies are of the same parents, it is recommended that they get spayed earlier before the females go in heat or it will result in pregnancy from the same bloodlines.

Before spaying can be done, the veterinarian will do a complete health check-up for the dog. You, as the pet-owner, should also provide a complete record of your Lhasa Apso’s medical history.

This should be thought out thoroughly by the pet-owners.

Dos and Don’ts when Your Lhasa Apso is in Heat

These are the most important things for you to know while your Lhasa Apso is in heat so it can be more manageable for your fur baby.

Dos:

More time for her

As I have mentioned above, your Lhasa Apso will undergo not only physical but also behavioral changes during the heat. So it is essential that you give her more time and attention. Play with her, brush her hair or go for more walks. In this way, she might just feel a little bit better.

Times for rest and exercise

I may have said that go for more walks and play with her, but you should also consider the state of your dog. Do that if she feels active. However, some dogs may feel sleepy and tired during heat so see to it that she gets more rest time if that is her case.

Give her chews and toys if you leave her

If you have an important errand that day, be sure to leave her enough materials to be busy with. It is also recommended that you go out with her first and let her have time to relieve herself before letting her in and leaving her. But if you think the errand is not that important, it would still be better not to leave her.

Use dog diapers

If you are concerned about the mess she will make on your carpet because of her spotting, make her wear dog diapers. Ask the nearest per store for doggie pants.

Consult your veterinarian

Yes, I know this is not a sickness to be treated, but it would be nice if you consulted a vet during her heat to know more things about it and to know what to do if ever unexpected trouble may occur.

Don’ts:

No male dogs

Do not let your Lhasa Apso in heat be near male dogs or do not allow male dogs approach her. This may become a cause of unwanted pregnancy. Remember that everything must be planned.

Do not leave her

She will not be feeling well during these times, so your presence is very important to her.

Do not walk her off-leash

If your Lhasa Apso is feeling active during her heat, it is good if you let her go for a walk with you. Do not walk her off-leash though. If she sees a male dog, her natural instincts may go off. Even though she is appropriately trained, she may not be capable of obeying commands.

Do not take her to dog shows

You Lhasa Apso may be for shows, but during her heat, it is not a good idea to take her to dog shows. This is not just because she will be very uncomfortable, but this is also in respect to other dog owners in the show. If a female dog is in heat, male dogs will get distracted, and they will go out of focus making them fail in the tasks commanded by their owners. So avoid going to dog shows.

What are the Stages of Heat in dogs?

Anoestrus (Anestrus) – 2 to 3 months
Proestrus (Prestrus) – 4 to 20 days
Oestrus (Estrus) – 5 to 13 days
Metoestrus (Metestrus) – 60 days

Just like a female person’s stages of ovulation, female dogs also have stages of heat. Below is the chronological order of stages of heat in dogs.

Anoestrus (Anestrus) – 2 to 3 months

This stage is also known as the “no-heat” stage. It is where your dog will not be attracted to male dogs, and she will act normal.

Proestrus (Prestrus) – 4 to 20 days

This stage is also known as the “first signs” stage. It is where you will notice the first signs of heat happening to your dog. The vulva becomes swollen, and you will see that spotting happens. The womb is preparing for pregnancy.

Spotting may vary in volume and color. Some dogs will have heavier spots than others and color changes from red to a yellowish discharge.

Oestrus (Estrus) – 5 to 13 days

This stage is also known as the “fertile” stage. It is the best time mating must occur if she is ready. It is when the female dog will allow a male dog to mate with her. It is also the stage when you should be looking out for her intensively because she will escape from your home to find a mating partner.

Metoestrus (Metestrus) – 60 days

This stage can also be called “Dioestrus or Diestrus.” This is the time after the mating stage. A female dog can be pregnant at this stage already.

Things you should know if you plan to breed your Lhasa Apso.

If you are here because you want to know precisely when your Lhasa Apso will be in heat because you are planning for her to breed little Lhasa’s for you, here are some things that you should know before doing that.

Educate yourself as much as possible. You will be entirely responsible for everything. Make sure that your family also knows.
Do not force your Lhasa Apso to breed. She will be ready in time. Lhasa Apso’s must start to breed on their second season or when they have established a stable heat cycle. Do not let them mate during the first season.
Make sure that you have a home for your future puppies.
Select a perfect male Lhasa Apso for her to mate with. Check the bloodlines and make sure that they are not related in any way, consider the size and physical attributes of the male. Also, check if he is regular in his grooming and vaccines.
Be there to help her. If you leave your Lhasa Apso during the mating, she may not understand what will happen.
If she rejects the male on the first time, do not force her. She is telling you that she is not yet ready.
Take care of her before, during and after pregnancy. Give her proper nutrition. Give her high-quality, nutritious food if you want healthy puppies. Add also to her diet some supplements and vitamins.
The time when she will have her puppies is the most crucial part. Make sure that no other dogs or people go near her at that time. Be there to help her during the birthing. She will get too tired to clean all of her puppies so you must help her in the process.
Do not give her vaccines during pregnancy and during nursing. Remember that you want healthy puppies as well as your Lhasa Apso.
All puppies are your responsibility also. Take care of them.
If you plan to sell the puppies, make sure that you have their first shot before letting the buyer takes them home. Educate them about the breed they are adopting. Make sure that they will be good parents for the fur babies. This will include checking the background of the family, ensuring that they can be good pet-owners; make sure that they have excellent facilities.
Lhasa Apso’s do not provide live puppies after the age of 6 so consider spaying her at that age. But this doesn’t mean that you throw them away because they can no longer be used. Remember that you had them to take care of. Continue doing that for the rest of their life.

What other dog breeds can be mixed with a Lhasa Apso?

As I have said, you need to find the perfect male partner for your dog. Check for bloodlines and make sure that they are not related in any way because if they are related, you will end up producing puppies that are inferior, stubborn or with genetic disorders.

To avoid this problem altogether, you can go ahead and give it a go for mix breeds. Here is a list for you to choose the perfect mix for your Lhasa Apso.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise dog breed, in general, is small so it will be perfect for your Lhasa Apso. They are friendly and charming because of their appearance that can be compared to a powder puff, soft and light to the touch.

Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon dog is also small making it suitable as a mate for your Lhasa Apso. Just like a Lhasa Apso, they are also charming, curious, affectionate and great as watchdogs. His coat comes in two types – rough and smooth. You can choose from them.

Dachshund

Dachshund dog breed is a scent hound dog. They are bred to take on badgers and rabbits but don’t be fooled by those words. They are small in size, too making it alright to breed with a Lhasa Apso.

Coton de Tulear

Coton de Tulear is a happy-go-lucky dog known for their role to provide amusement because of their charming personality and physical attributes. They look like cotton for sure, and they are small but sturdy. They are excellent for companionship and comfort.

Maltese

Maltese dog breed is known to be sitting in the lap of ancient people. They are playful and lovable dogs. They have irresistible faces with dark eyes and the cutest nose you will ever see. Perfect as a mate for your Lhasa Apso.