First season

Question
Hi - i have a cross breed bitch whos age is not exact - i live in Tunisia and bought her from a guy on the beach. I have never had a dog before but she has been a dream (almost!) I think she has come into her first season - she is swollen around her urethra and has a tiny bloody discharge (very slight) she licks herself alot but is in very good normal spirits. My question is though - do i need to do anything for her. I believe she is 6/7 months old so i was not expecting this yet, also when will it happen again. Many thanks

Answer
Hi Simon

Lock her in the closet.  And if that won't work, that's frowned upon by some :), keep all the males that WILL come calling away.   

A season starts with the swelling of the vulva, then the bloody discharge, but it's after the bleeding that she is prime breeding material.  

A heat starts the first time between 6 and 9 months, so she's right on track.  Then every 6 months.  If you have no plans to have her bred, I would wait a month and take her in to be spayed.

Good luck.