Boxer might be in heat?

Question
QUESTION: We have a Boxer that is 1 year and 8 months. We think she is in heat beacause our Min Pin has been paying more attention to where she pees and sits and trying to get near her. (We are keeping them separate in cratesthis month) Also her vulva is a little larger. The problem we are having is that there is no blood at all. We think this is her second heat but both times there has been no blood. Are we wrong and she is a late bloomer or do you believfe that she is in heat? I guess I was wondering if is heard of for Boxers to go thru a heat cycle and not bleed.

ANSWER: Hi Miles.    The normal heat cycle in dogs run for 21 days in 3 groups of 7 days.

The first 7 days is when the vaginal area swells and bleeding starts.  During this phase, the female will not allow the male to mate, and will actually bite him if he tries.

The second group of 7 days ( day 7 - 14) is when the female is considered to be in Estrus.  During this phase, the female will all mating, and will make herself available to the male, by backing up to him, and moving her tail to the side.

The third group of 7 days (days 14 - 21) no external signs are seen, but internally (if mating was successful) the eggs begin to develop.

Some female dogs are so neat that they clean themselves, and in some cases the male helps, so  it is hard to see if she is bleeding.

Good Luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How often have you seen a boxer be so neat that the bleeding is not seen?it would have to be her cleaning as the dogs are separated.  And what is the latest that you have heard of a boxer having their first heat?

Answer
Hi Miles.  I do not breed Boxers, my breed is Boston Terriers.  When I wrote the following, "Some dogs are neat and clean themselves", I was writing about female dogs in general - not specifically Boxers.

I have read that, in some cases, the larger the dog breed, the later the heat cycle.  Like humans, not all dogs are the same, and can be "Late Bloomers".

There is a Boxer section on this website if you would like more specific answered on this breed.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com