3 and 7 month old boxers

Question
hello,this is my first time having a female dog. i have a 3 month old female (remy) and a 7 moth old male (chucky). i understand that Remy might go into heat when shes 6 months old and i dont want to breed her that young i want to wait untill she is at least 1 1/2 to 2 years of age. what can you recomend me to avoid my 2 dogs from breeding? and how would i know if shes in heat?
Thank you for your time.

Answer
Unfortunately, this will be very difficult.

She probably won't come into her first heat until after 6 months old- but you never know. She will have a heat season twice a year- every 5-6 months, and each last 1 month long. So she can conceive during that month.

When she comes into heat, she will leak a discharge, lick excessively, and then drip blood. The estrous lasts 30 days, although she does not actually bleed the entire 30 days- but is at risk of pregnancy.

I do not recommend breeding until age 2.

You can buy a "seasonal" pantie and pads for her at your local PetSmart or PetCo. This will help deter him from getting to her as well as protect your carpet and furniture. Although, my girl got pregnant last time wearing those, and I never saw them mate or knew until it was obvious she was pregnant.

I suggest that you take him to a family or friends house for the entire month of her heat cycle to be positive they do not breed. If that is not possible, wearing the seasonal pantie and you "watching" them 24/7 not allowing them out of your sight for one minute (her at least) ... even when outside peeing- let them go one at a time unless you watch them. He can mount her in a second and is very difficult to separate them in the nick of time.

The best thing is spaying and neutering unless you have your heart set on them breeding once she is 2 years old.

Keeping them apart during her heat cycle for a month is the only guarantee.