Husky estrus: when does it start, how long does it last, first mating

Not all people who become owners of husky girls intend to be breeders.

However, regardless of whether you plan to get offspring from a bitch in the future or not, sooner or later the time comes when the dog goes into heat.

And this physiological phenomenon may not be the most pleasant surprise for an inexperienced owner who, having noticed signs of empty nest in his pet, gets lost and does not know what to do and how to help the dog.

But beginning breeders face another problem: how to choose the right partner and choose the optimal time for mating.

Estrus in dogs: what is it?

Husky is a popular breed among Russian dog lovers.
Estrus is one of the important stages of a dog’s puberty, indicating the female’s readiness to become pregnant and give birth.

During this period, serious physiological changes occur in the animal's body. They must be taken into account by dog ​​owners.

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Husky puberty is a process that is responsible for the formation of the animal and its preparation for reproduction. Each dog breed develops individually, so you need to take into account the characteristics of your pet. In order to get healthy puppies and not harm the dog, you should be responsible for the mating process.

Features of estrus in a husky

A Husky in heat can be an unpleasant surprise for an inexperienced dog breeder. It is important not to miss the beginning of the process and closely monitor the animal to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

The course of estrus in Husky dogs involves three main periods, followed by a period of rest.

• Proestrus

We are talking about the first 9-11 days. It is during this period that the bitch becomes especially attractive to surrounding males. At the same time, the dog itself is not ready to start mating and snaps at the advances in every possible way.

During this period, there is a slight swelling of the external genitalia and bloody discharge from the loop appears.

• Estrus

This stage lasts from days 11 to 20.
During this period, the girl can become pregnant and begins to show interest in male dogs. For reference! It is easy to understand that estrus has moved into the estrus stage by the appearance of a characteristic odor in the discharge and a change in its color - it becomes lighter.

• Metestrus

During the period of metestrus, it is already useless to mate an animal, since, starting from the 19th-20th day, the bitch loses the ability to fertilize. Interest in the opposite sex also decreases.

Bloody discharge from the loop disappears, but small amounts of mucus may continue to be discharged for some time.

• Anestrus

Anestrus lasts about a year (sometimes a little less). During this period, the bitch behaves normally.

Estrus is evidence of a dog's puberty

Pregnancy

Husky pregnancy lasts about 2 months. The owner of a female must carefully monitor the condition of the dog.

In rare cases, a bitch may have a false pregnancy, which occurs for a number of reasons:

• emotional stress;
• mental disorders;
• incorrect functioning of the reproductive system;
• hormonal imbalances;
• disruption of internal organs.

Based on external signs, a false pregnancy can easily be confused with a real one. The husky's belly is expanding and she is rapidly gaining weight. The mammary glands swell. The female's physical activity increases. She sets up a nest for the puppies, carrying warm clothes and toys into it. Against the background of a disturbance in the psycho-emotional state, the bitch begins to take care of pseudo puppies.

A veterinarian can help you deal with this problem. In case of false pregnancy, it is recommended to reduce the daily calorie intake, not give the husky dairy products and increase physical activity during walks.

How long does a pregnant bitch walk?

Embryonic development of puppies lasts from 60 to 63 days. At the first mating there may be a delay of 5-7 days. The duration of pregnancy depends on the individual characteristics of the female’s body, the conditions of detention and the health of the dog.

Puppies are born 57-72 days after fertilization. In the absence of developmental anomalies and birth injuries, the offspring should feel well. Typically, weak litters occur in young females after the first mating, when the bitch experiences the most difficult birth.

By days

• Within 3 weeks the pregnancy is asymptomatic. The owner may notice changes in the Husky's behavior and an increase in appetite. Thread-like discharge comes from the vagina. The dog's physical activity gradually decreases, and sleep time increases. In rare cases, during the first 21 days of the puppies' embryonic development, the female may vomit. Due to toxicosis, she refuses to eat, eats little and through force.
• On days 28-32 after fertilization, the dog may experience swelling of the mammary glands and an increase in the size of the abdomen. By the second month, the female begins to gain weight. During this period, it is necessary to reduce physical activity during walks, not allow the husky to run for a long time and prevent jumping over obstacles. At the same time, the owner should not allow physical inactivity. The dog should walk to maintain smooth muscle tone and not become obese.
• At 6 weeks of pregnancy, the female is looking for a place for a nest. At this time, the owner is recommended to make a fenced space for her in one of the rooms, where the birth and feeding of puppies will take place.
• At 8 weeks the puppies begin to move. The dog becomes cautious, physical activity decreases. The day before giving birth, the female’s temperature drops to +36.5°C.

Important. A characteristic feature of a husky is the appearance of milk immediately before birth. The secretion is released 24-72 hours before the puppies are born.

Duration of the first heat

Most owners are interested in when a husky's first heat begins. There is no clear answer to this question. This most often occurs when the animal's age ranges from 8 to 12 months.

But due to some individual and hereditary characteristics, the timing may shift slightly in both directions.

Important! Huskies can go into heat at any age after their teeth have changed. That is, at least from six months.

The Husky breed was once bred in the Far North, which is characterized by harsh winters. Accordingly, dogs could procreate only in the warm season. This feature has been preserved. Unlike most other breeds, husky females come into heat not twice, but once a year.

As for the question of how long the heat lasts in husky dogs, everything is standard here. Its average duration is 21 days. For the first time, it can last a month or, on the contrary, end in less than 3 weeks.

First time

It is impossible to name the exact time of a dog’s first sexual activity. The process is tied to certain hormonal changes in the maturing body. But you should expect this from the moment the puppy’s teeth are completely replaced. This usually occurs at 6-10 months.

The standard duration is 21 days, with slight deviations caused by the individual characteristics of the breed and the specific organism.

But the very first time everything can go much faster, since the body is just trying its hand. But all external and behavioral signs that will appear throughout life will already appear. Therefore, it is worth keeping a special journal to note the time, duration and all characteristic symptoms and features.

How to determine

If in general everything is clear about how long a husky’s heat can last, then determining its beginning in some cases can be quite problematic.

There are a number of sure signs by which it is easy to determine the onset of estrus.

Main features

Owners should be aware of the following signs:

• loop swelling;
• the appearance of discharge;
• change in character;
• it is possible that aggression may occur towards other females and be more attentive and interested towards males;
• constant attempts to escape from the owner during a walk;
• changed appetite.

Another symptom that may accompany a husky's heat is sudden, unseasonal shedding. But this is observed only in certain representatives of the breed.

What should the owner do?

The main task of the owner of a female husky is to protect the dog as much as possible during estrus from unwanted relationships. To do this you will need to follow the following recommendations:

• walk the animal only on a short leash;
• put special panties on the dog;
• treat the back of the bitch’s body with a special liquid that blocks the smell of the marks.

Important! If you plan to breed an animal, it is recommended to take care of choosing a suitable partner in advance.

How long does it take to bear puppies?

How does estrus occur in a toy terrier: when does it start, how many days does it last and how often does it happen + features of care
Usually huskies are pregnant for 60-63 days. But these are only average data; in practice, how long a dog bears puppies depends on many factors, including the conditions of keeping the dog, the correctness of the care provided to it, the health of the bitch and its characteristics. It should also be remembered that the period of the first pregnancy is usually longer, than subsequent ones.

If 57-72 days pass from the start of pregnancy to birth and newborn huskies do not have any developmental defects, they have every chance of surviving.

How does a husky give birth, how to understand that it has started and how to treat it at home

The fact that the husky will give birth in the near future can be judged by:

• refusal to eat about a day before giving birth;
• decrease in body temperature to 36.5 °C;
• noticeable movement of puppies;
• restlessness and rapid breathing of the bitch;
• the appearance of milk;
• the dog's desire to hide in a secluded place.

You can also understand that a dog has started giving birth by the fact that the dog began to scratch the floor and the bedding on which it was lying in an attempt to make some kind of “nest” for itself.

The birth of a husky consists of several stages:

• preparation - the beginning of contractions, opening of the cervical canal, the stage has no externally noticeable signs and lasts 2-12 hours;
• fetal hatching - after the uterus is fully dilated, puppies begin to appear, the stage is accompanied by contractions and pushing;
• postpartum period - begins from the moment the last puppy appears and lasts until the end of the lactation period.

Before giving birth to a husky, you need to prepare:

• clean bedding;
• medium-sized, sharp sterile scissors;
• iodine or brilliant green;
• threads for tying the umbilical cord;
• a notepad and pen for recording the time of birth of the puppies, their gender, weight and color.

First, the bitch’s water breaks, then she begins to push, and the cervix opens.

The puppy appears in the amniotic sac, which the bitch chews; if she does not do this, you need to tear it apart yourself in the area of ​​the newborn’s head, and clean his mouth of mucus with a napkin. Afterwards you need to bandage and cut the umbilical cord. Approximately 20-40 minutes pass between the appearance of puppies.

After the puppy is born, the placenta should come out, their number should match the size of the litter.

If the birth takes place without complications, the bitch will do everything herself and the breeder just needs to be close to the pet, observe the process, accept the puppies, support and calm the dog.

You need to agree with your doctor in advance and keep his phone number handy in case of unforeseen complications.

What day of heat is suitable for mating?

Many owners are concerned about the day on which Huskies should be bred from the start of estrus. Experts recommend focusing on the animal’s behavior. But practice shows that to guarantee results, the second or third day of estrus (with a possible repetition of coitus a day later) is most optimal.

Mating is a responsible event that requires careful preparation.

Preparation for mating

An owner who is ready to organize mating and a bitch that has reached the required age is not all that is required for the process. Knitting is a responsible process and requires certain preparation.

So, approximately 30 days before the planned date, the animal should be treated for helminths and ectoparasites, undergo a bacteriological test for the presence of hidden infections and make sure that the dog’s condition is good or at least average.

Important! Immediately before mating, the bitch must be fed and walked. On the contrary, it is strongly not recommended to feed a male dog.

The expectant mother is a vegetarian

You will learn about pregnancy no earlier than three to four weeks after mating. Main signs: an increase in the dog’s waist and swollen nipples. Sometimes, as a side effect, toxicosis occurs - the dog begins to vomit. Until this time, her lifestyle may not change at all.

Gestation for Labrador puppies lasts 62-64 days. In the second half of the term, discharge appears from the dog’s enlarged loop. Closer to childbirth, body temperature decreases slightly (the norm is 38-39 degrees). The expectant mother begins to look for a place for a “nest” and is capricious with food. Well, you can already see how the puppies move in her stomach if she lies on her side.

However, two to three days before giving birth, fish and meat are excluded from the diet. They can increase blood pressure, trigger cramps, or cause swelling.

Now, during walks, the Labrador bitch herself begins to be cautious. You just have to help her. You only need to walk on a leash, avoid hard-to-reach places and difficult obstacles.

If the dog produces colostrum (the first milk, which has a thicker consistency) from the nipples, it means that birth is near. You have to wait a maximum of 2-3 days.

Husky mating

Owners need to get as much information as possible about husky mating and how it happens. Most often, the process is carried out on the territory of the dog. This allows him to feel as confident as possible and not be distracted by unfamiliar sounds and smells.

In addition, you will need to follow a number of simple rules and recommendations:

• It is better to knit a husky in the first half of the day - ideally early in the morning.
• Both dogs involved in the process should be thoroughly walked.
• Try to exclude the presence of extraneous sounds during mating.
• The floor should be covered with a rug to prevent paws from slipping on the floor.

The process itself should proceed independently, without unnecessary interference from the owners.

The right diet to help with shedding

During shedding, pay attention to natural food. Protein and fish oil are necessary for the beauty and health of the coat, it becomes strong and shiny. Zinc and vitamin B in your dog's diet will help with coat growth.

Pamper your pet with the following products during the shedding period:

• Meat (exclude pork, excess fat);
• Bird heart and liver;
• Sea fish (fillet, boneless!);
• Vegetables;
• Cereals.

Vegetables and cereals are unlikely to please your dog; offer the products not separately, but mixed with your pet’s favorite canned foods.

Adding complexes of important vitamins to your dog's food helps reduce shedding. The presence of vitamins in a dog’s diet will not be superfluous. Moreover, the inclusion of vitamins in the menu during the molting process is an action performed belatedly. The best option is to include a vitamin complex before the start of molting (about a month). The action will not relieve the dog from shedding, but it will help the dog endure it more comfortably - there will be noticeably less hair falling out.

Veterinarian advice

Since Husky is a unique breed, it requires a special approach. In this regard, some advice from veterinarians on issues that are particularly common in relation to mating will be useful to many breeders:

• If dogs of other breeds can be bred through 1 heat after each birth, then in the case of huskies you should wait 2 or 3 cycles. This will allow the dog to fully recover and get stronger.
• The average gestation period for dogs is 9 weeks. If there are significant deviations from it in the direction of decrease or increase, this is a reason to seek help from a specialist.
• Husky dogs do not require special nutrition while carrying and feeding puppies.
• When deciding to sterilize your dog, it is recommended that you carefully weigh the pros and cons first.

Husky is a breed that requires close attention from the owner

Estrus and health

Owners of unsterilized female dogs need to be aware of several health-related issues. This will help you make decisions about surgery if necessary.

Recovery of the cycle after childbirth

The cycle normalizes 4-6 months after birth. The delay time depends on the duration of lactation and the size of the litter. To fully restore the body, it is recommended to wait until mating until the next menstruation.

False heat

This kind of estrus occurs in young bitches. It is accompanied by all the listed signs, but excludes ovulation. Because of this, any attempt at mating is doomed to failure. This phenomenon is not dangerous to health and is characterized by a sudden disappearance of the symptoms that have arisen.

Hidden heat

This menstruation is the opposite of false menstruation, that is, it is accompanied by ovulation without obvious symptoms. In rare cases, the situation is explained by a pathology of the thyroid gland, so play it safe and undergo a full examination at the veterinary clinic.

Dog sterilization

Due to the high likelihood of developing cancer in unsterilized and uncrossed dogs, veterinarians recommend sterilizing all animals not involved in breeding. The operation is carried out 14-20 days after the end of emptying.

Is it possible to vaccinate a bitch in heat?

Veterinarians have not reached a consensus on this issue. In the presence of chronic diseases and severe pain, it is recommended to wait until the end of menstruation. Vaccination of healthy individuals is acceptable.

Regular monitoring of your menstrual cycle will help you avoid possible problems. With it you can easily identify abnormalities that require a visit to the veterinarian. Avoid using hormonal medications and consider sterilization. Remember that the earlier the operation is performed, the lower the likelihood of developing cancer and other dangerous diseases.

The article is for informational purposes only. Contact your veterinarian!

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Preventing unwanted consequences of estrus

The basic rule that the owner must adhere to in order to prevent the undesirable consequences of estrus is not to let the dog off the leash.

It is advisable to purchase from a veterinary pharmacy products intended for driving away male dogs. It is especially important to protect the animal from unplanned mating during the first heat. At such a young age, pregnancy can create additional health problems.

Having taken on such responsibility as fulfilling the duties of the owner of a husky, it is worth preparing for such a phenomenon as estrus in advance. If the animal is not planned to be sterilized, it will definitely not be possible to avoid this difficult period.