if in heat?

Question
QUESTION: My toy poodle is 8 months old.  She was groomed a few days ago and since then I have noticed that her female parts show more, they are swollen, she is potting, and she licks her area alot.   Is she in heat?   I have never owned a female dog and I'm not sure what to think.  Thanks for your answer.  How long will she be in heat?
ANSWER: Its probably more likely that the groomer irritated the area when shaving.  Usually most female toy poodles do not come into heat until closer to 10-11 months of age.  However its not impossible.  You would see her bleeding quite a bit.  Females are in heat for 3 weeks time.

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QUESTION: She is pretty engorged in her female area.  I can see it when walking her, almost looks like it is hanging down.  The spotting has stopped but my male standard poodle who is neutered keeps licking her their too.  She is crated when we are not home.  Should I be concerned?  

Answer
Then she is probably in heat.  The bleeding shouldnt have stopped unless she has been in for a week or so and you havent noticed it and she is a light bleeder.  Not unless you see something out of the ordinary such as strange colored discharge or a foul smell.