As a female goldendoodle puppy owner, this is a question you’ll want to know the answer to!
Goldendoodles are a popular and loving breed of dog and like all dogs, they go through cycles of heat.
Knowing when your pup will go into heat can help you prepare for it and ensure that she stays healthy.
Learn more about when goldendoodles go into heat and how you can help your furry friend through it!
When Do Goldendoodles Go Into Heat?
Your goldendoodle will first go into heat and reach sexual maturity at approximately 6 months old, that is when she will be capable of reproduction.
This brings a lot of hormonal changes and they enter the so-called "teenager" phase too.
Smaller goldendoodles may reach the first stage of the heat cycle (proestrus) earlier than 6 months.
After that, they go into heat 2 times a year.
Signs That Your Goldendoodle Might Be in Heat
One of the first and most noticeable signs of your goldendoodle being in heat is a bloody discharge and swelling of the vulva.
It's important to note that swelling comes first, so your goldendoodle might have already entered the heat cycle before you notice any discharge. This discharge is red and thick at first and then becomes watery and more pink as the heat cycle progresses.
In this stage, I recommend getting a dog diaper, as your goldendoodle will leave blood spots in the house, including your bed, carpet and sofa.
Your goldendoodle will start to leave marks with her urine in order to attract male dogs. This pee contains pheromones and is one of the ways in which she tries to call for a mate.
Other signs of heat in your goldendoodle:
She will be more affectionate with you and other dogs
She will move her tail to the side and lift her rump area
In some cases, she might also exhibit a bit of aggression
She will be more nervous and fidgety
Licking her vulva area more than usual
How Long Does a Goldendoodle Heat Cycle Last?
A goldendoodle heat cycle usually lasts between 2 to 4 weeks. You will know when the cycle is over when the discharge stops and your pup's behaviour returns to normal.
How Often Does a Goldendoodle Go Into Heat?
A goldendoodle usually goes into heat twice per year, which means every 6 months. Mini Goldendoodles might go into a heat cycle 3 to 4 times a year due to their small size.
Stages of the Heat Cycle in Your Goldendoodle
There are four stages to the heat cycle of a goldendoodle, which are proestrus, estrus, diestrus and anestrus.
All of these stages last different lengths of time have their own physical and behavioral changes to look out for and are linked to specific changes in your goldendoodles hormones.
Let's look at each stage a bit more closely:
Proestrus
The very first stage your goldendoodle will enter is the proestrus. This stage is characterized by a bloody discharge and swelling of the vulva. Your goldendoodle is not yet receptive to mating in this stage, however, male dogs will be drawn to her due to the pheromones she is releasing.
This stage lasts for 9 days.
Estrus
The second stage of the heat cycle is estrus. This stage is marked by a decrease in discharge of blood and swelling of the vulva. Your goldendoodle will now be receptive to mating. Her estrogen levels will drop and the progeseterone levels will rise.
This stage usually lasts for 9 days, but based on behavioral signs it can last from 4 to 24 days.
Diestrus
The third stage is diestrus and this is when your goldendoodle will no longer be receptive to mating. Her progesterone levels will rise even more in this stage and her estrogen levels fall significantly. It doesn't matter if your goldendoodle is pregnant or not, the increase and deacrease of hormones will still take place.
This stage lasts for 60 days.
Anestrus
The final stage of the heat cycle is anestrus. This occurs when your goldendoodle's hormones return to pre-heat levels and she will no longer be in heat. The vulva area will also return to normal.
Basically, your goldendoodles body is preparing for the next heat cycle.
This stage lasts for 4 months.
How to Care for Your Goldendoodle in Heat
Being in heat can be difficult for your Goldendoodle, but there are some things you can do to make it easier on her.
First and foremost, make sure you have a comfy spot for her to rest. This should be away from other dogs and away from places that could excite her.
You can use dog diapers to help prevent blood stains in the house.
Take her for walks, but make sure to keep her away from unfixed male dogs. You can also give her treats and toys to help keep her occupied.
Don't give too much affection, let her decide when she wants to be closer.
The Best way of course is to have her spayed, this will reduce the chances of medical issues later in life and prevent unexpected litters.
Should You Breed Your Goldendoodle While They're in Heat?
There are studies that say you should wait at least three heat cycles before you breed your Goldendoodle, this will give the dog's body time to mature.
If you breed your Goldendoodle before that, there is a higher risk of them abandoning their puppies or giving birth to weak pups as they are not mature enough.
If you are not a professional breeder, I would advise against breeding your Goldendoodle while they're in heat. There are just too many risks associated with it and it's not worth it.
But, if you decide to, make sure to do your research, seek advice from a vet and use the best breeding practices.
How to Prevent Your Goldendoodle from Going into Heat
The absolute only way to stop your Goldendoodle from going into heat is to have her spayed.
This is a simple procedure that removes the ovaries and uterus, so she will no longer experience any of the signs or symptoms of the heat cycle.
This means that she won't be able to get pregnant and have puppies anymore.
Spaying is not only recommended by most vets, but it is actually very healthy for your goldendoodle.
Experts say, that spaying female dogs greatly reduces the chance of mammary cancer and eliminates the risk of pyometra, which often leads to death if left untreated. It also reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer.
When should Goldendoodles be spayed?
The best time to have your Goldendoodle spayed is when they are young, but you should wait until they are mature. This could mean that they will have gone through one heat cycle.
Some vets recommend the six-month mark, I would personally wait until your Goldendoodle is mature enough, but this is ultimately your decision.
At What Age Can a Goldendoodle Get Pregnant?
Your goldendoodle can get pregnant as soon as she enters her first heat cycle, this usually occurs when she is 6-12 months old. But, this is not recommended as she is not physically or mentally mature enough to handle the stress and strain of pregnancy.
At what age Do Mini Goldendoodles go Into Heat?
A Miniature Goldendoodle can go into heat at around the same time as standard Goldendoodles, usually when they are 6 months old, but there are some occasions when they may go into heat earlier, at 4 months.
How long are Goldendoodles Pregnant?
The average Goldendoodle pregnancy lasts 58-65 days and can range from 56-68 days.
Why do Goldendoodles Tend to Mate When It Rains?
One interesting fact is that all dogs, including Goldendoodles tend to mate when it rains.
The reasoning behind it is thought to be related to the chemistry of the air. Rain leads to increased humidity and reduced temperature in the air, which intensifies pheromone signals that trigger a sexual response in dogs.
So make sure you keep an eye on your Goldendoodle, when love is in the air! 😉
Conclusion
Your dog has certain instincts that unfortunately they can't control and it is your job as a goldendoodle parent to make sure that you are aware of those instincts and take the best care possible to keep them safe and healthy.
Now you know when Goldendoodles go into heat and when the best time to get them spayed is. And remember, it's always better to prevent possible problems than to deal with them later on!
So make sure you are looking out for your pup and taking the necessary precautions.
