Getting a brand new German Shepherd puppy is an exciting time for the whole family. Beyond showering your new family member with love and attention, there are some questions to be asked early on. For example, can a German Shepherd get pregnant at just 6 months?
A German Shepherd can get pregnant at 6 months but it is more likely for a female German Shepherd to begin her first heat or estrous cycle between 12 to 18 months. Since every dog is different, do not rule out the possibility of pregnancy at 6 months.
It used to be there were specific ages that were recommended for when you should have your female puppy spayed or bred for the first time. More recent research has revealed that spaying or breeding a dog too early can negatively affect your dog’s health. Read on to make informed decisions about your German Shepherd puppy.
When Does A German Shepherd Have Her First Heat Cycle?
Even though two dogs are the same breed and similar in size, their first heat cycle could begin at very different times.
A female German Shepherd should start her first heat at around 12 to 18 months. Smaller dogs will tend to experience their first estrous cycle earlier than that. Likewise, larger German Shepherds could start their first heat at the latter end of that range.
Just as with timing, the length of a German Shepherd’s estrous cycle depends on its size. A smaller dog will likely have a shorter cycle. Overall, a German Shepherd can be in heat for roughly 2 to 3 full weeks. The estrous cycle has four stages. During the second stage, called the estrus, your female puppy would be most receptive to male dogs, which are open to mating year-round.
Planning To Prevent Your German Shepherd’s Pregnancy
The decision to have your female dog spayed is an easy one to make for some pet owners but not easy for others. Many factors come into play while planning for your puppy’s future. If you decide to move forward with spaying, you should set a time only after doing some research and talking with your veterinarian.
Do You Have Multiple Dogs In Your Home?
If you have multiple dogs in your home or adopted two or more puppies from the same litter, there is a high risk of pregnancy if you have a mix of males and females. You’ll have to make a final decision reasonably quickly about whether you want puppies in your future or not. If you don’t want your females to become pregnant, then you could have all your dogs spayed and neutered.
Having your dogs spayed and neutered not only eliminates the possibility of unwanted pregnancies, but there are other benefits as well. You can avoid the messiness that comes with females in heat. You can also reduce aggression and marking tendencies in males.
Does Your Female German Shepherd Spend Unsupervised Time Outdoors?
Even if your female German Shepherd is the only dog in your household, you may want to consider having her spayed if she spends any amount of unsupervised time outdoors. While your female is in heat, she will do her very best to escape. Likewise, any male dogs you have not neutered will sense your female is in heat, and those males will climb, dig, and more to get to her.
Are You Planning On Having More Puppies In The Future?
If you are willing to welcome more puppies in the future or plan to show or breed your female German Shepherd, you should become knowledgeable about what comes with that decision. Do some research about how to care for a dog in heat and a dog who is pregnant. We’ll touch upon those subjects below. It is a significant commitment.
When Should You Have Your Female German Shepherd Spayed?
Some vets are now recommending not to spay your dog before it has reached sexual maturity. There are medical risks for fixing your dog too early or too late.
Here are a few things it would be wise to consider if planning on spaying your dog:
- Spaying before 6 months may cause orthopedic hip and other joint issues.
- Spaying after 12 months increases the chance of developing some types of cancers.
- Some vets don’t recommend spaying until your dog is sexually mature.
It is best discuss the procedure with your veterinarian, before making any decisions.
When To Mate Or Breed For The First Time
Just as with recommendations of when to have your German Shepherd puppy spayed, there are similar suggestions about when they should mate for the first time.
Breeding is such a vast undertaking. Whether professionally or as a hobby, you owe it to your dog to learn all you can about breeding to be a responsible breeder. The award-winning book, A Guide to Puppy Love: Beginner Breeding by Virginia Clark is a great place to start.
Some experts recommend that a German Shepherd become pregnant after she is past her first heat. The first heat cycle can start at different times for dogs of the same breed and similar weight because all dogs are unique. This method is the only way to know for sure that your dog has reached sexual maturity and is much more reliable than a suggested age range.
How To Care For Your German Shepherd In Heat
Although it’s all a part of nature, it can be unsettling for a dog to go into heat for the first time for both the dog and its owner. It would help if you were mindful of physical and emotional changes for your dog during this time. For the responsible dog-owner, here is a checklist of things to keep in mind:
- Your German Shepherd may only go into heat once every six months to a year.
- The length of the heat cycle can be different from one German Shepherd to another.
- A dog’s heat cycle may be irregular at first.
- If you suspect your dog may go into heat soon, check for spotting every few days.
- If your dog seems stressed, try to soothe her with affection or distract her with play.
- Keep your dog away from both male and female dogs while in heat.
- Do not react negatively to messes from spotting or bloody discharge.
To help ease your stress about the mess that comes with your German Shepherd going into heat, try using female dog diapers or panties. The reusable Hi Sprout Female Dog Diaper is very highly rated. It is waterproof, washable, and comes in multiple sizes and design options.
How To Care For Your Pregnant German Shepherd
By the time you notice that your dog’s belly is developing a bulge, she may already have been pregnant for a while. Other signs to look for to indicate your female German Shepherd is pregnant are an increased appetite, increased frequency in urination, weight gain, and a higher level of aggression, most likely caused by instinctually protecting her unborn.
When you know your German Shepherd is pregnant, it may be wise to ask your veterinarian for dietary supplement recommendations to ensure proper nutrition. You could also ask your vet about whether you should limit your expecting dog’s physical activity during the nine weeks of pregnancy. Set up a quiet, birthing place for your dog to rest and become accustomed to during the last weeks of pregnancy.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds can get pregnant at 6 months old, but sexual maturity usually comes later for dogs of their size. If you’re thinking about spaying your female dog, then be sure to consider the pros and cons of having the procedure done at an early age. If you’re considering breeding your German Shepherd, it’s best educate yourself on being a responsible hobbyist or professional breeder.