pitbull in heat

Question
My pitbull is on her 12th day of her heat and she still won't let the male mount her.  I am getting concerned and wondering when she will be ready to mate?

Answer
Hi MIsty:

On average a bitch will enter into the estrus (fertile) portion of her cycle around the 9th or 10th day from the initial onset of the heat cycle. She may simply be having a more lengthy proestrus than average. Normally when a dog is in estrus, the vaginal discharge will lighten in flow & color, becoming more of a light pink to straw color. The estrus portion of the cycle lasts, on average, about 5 to 7 days but varies from dog to dog. She may just need a few more days before she is in estrus. You might consider having your veterinarian examine her to determine exactly what stage of her cycle she's in & to be sure she has no reproductive organ problems. Good luck!