puppy in heat

Question
How old will a puppy be when it goes in heat? I have a lab and he is almost 5 months old,can he go in heat now? Or what is the age?           Thank You
                           Sharon

Answer
Males don't have the reproductive cycles commonly known as heat.  Male dogs are born with their testicles up inside.  His should be starting to descend.  If your puppy has been strong willed and challenged your status as top dog, expect even more.  Some of them show all the behaviors that give male teenagers their evil reputation.  They may show no inhibition about mounting anything and may begin marking their territory including in your house.  They usually do not start the lifting a leg to urinate until after they are a year old.  Talk to the vet about neutering him now.  You really need to have a good reason to keep any intact dog and also have the responsibility to do enough study to avoid problems.  The cost of neutering now is much lower than the cost of a testicular or prostate cancer later.  It also guarantees he will never add to the 10,000,000 dogs slaughtered every year for lack of homes.

He will never come in heat, but will know when any female for miles upwind does.  Left unneutered, you won't believe the effort he will make to get loose and be on his way to her, heedless of traffic or anything else.