My female ridgeback has gone...

Question
My female ridgeback has gone into heat for the first time. How often will she do this per year, and what is the duration of each episode? I am not a breeder, nor do I intend to become one.

Thank you for any help you can give me,
Kelly  

Answer
Hi Kelly-
Bitches come into heat on an average of every 6 months.  The heat cycle lasts 3 weeks.  She will be fertile for only a few days, usually between the 10 and 14th day of her cycle.  However, if there are any males in the area that catch wind of her, they will be visiting for the 3 weeks.  I would suggest you having her spayed, as it takes care of the messes that come with the heats, the mood changes and it also reduces the risks of uterine, ovarian and breast cancers in them dramatically.  The earlier you have her spayed, the better her chances of not getting these cancers are.
Thank you for getting in touch with me and if there's anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to ask.
Patty Lemke
www.country-sidebreeders.com