Black Lab Heat Cycle Signs & Length

Question
I have a Black Lab puppy that just turned 6 months.  She is truly a wonderful character.  I also have a Black Lab/Belgian Malinua(spelling)3 year old male. They get along great.  I am curious as to when I can expect her to begin her heat cycle so I can keep them apart for that time frame.  I am not sure what the signs are to watch for.  My fiancee checks her genitals every so often to see if there is any swelling but I don't want to get caught off guard. Is there a length of time that is considered the "complete off limits time"?  They love to play with each other but I don't want unexpected puppies.  With the warm weather coming I also want to be able to put her outside for short periods of time for fresh air and play time and I don't want the neighboring hounds to get to her either.  Is there like a diaper of sorts I can put on her for these times outside?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Candice

Answer
Her heat cycle could start any time.  The bleeding may only last 2-3 weeks, but the swelling and behavior changes could last a month or 2.  The second and third weeks after the discharge starts are when the most risk of accidental breeding is. Don't take this lightly. She will do anything to get loose and get to a male. Once loose, an accidental breeding and an unwanted litter is far from the worst that can happen. Such breedings can also result in fatal infections. She can get killed when she dashes heedlessly across the road in front of a car. Other dogs or coyotes may kill her.

You can expect the same thing about every 6 months for the rest of her life if you don't go ahead and get her spayed. There is no other answer, and no good reason not to. Besides saving the hassles, it reduces the chances of cancer later in life. Please make life easier for yourself, her, and society in general by getting her spayed as soon as a vet will do it.

You can buy ''Seasonals'' which help with the mess, but a male could make short work of them.