When will my tiny dog have her first heat and reach full adult size?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A dogs first heat is some what genetic and breed related. Toy and small breeds may have their first heat at 6-8 months while larger breed dogs like Great Danes may not have their first heart until 18-24 months. I have a client who's lab still didn't have their first heat by 1 year of age. I would expect that Bella at 9 months should have her heat very soon or with in the next 3-6 months. Dogs act slightly off when they are in heat. The vulva becomes prominent and swollen. Then you will see bloody fluid from the vulva. Dogs tend to lick a lot. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. An intact female dog, depending on the size and breed, will likely have her first heat cycle between the ages of 6 months and 18 months. If she were bred at that first cycle, she should give birth approximately 63 days after this mating. I hope this is helpful!

A small breed dog will generally come into heat around 6 months old but can be as late is 12 months old. You don't want to breed females until they are two years of age. Make sure to think hard before you breed her. Small breed dogs are more likely to need C-sections. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

In regards to your question about Olie having her first heat cycle - on average a dog will have their first heat cycle between 6-12 months of age. It is hard to determine right now at her 2 month age exactly when her first heat cycle will be but it will be several months from now. If you want to take extra precaution during her heat cycle you can have her wear a cloth or disposable diaper to help with the "mess". She does not need to wear cloths and you do not have to change her normal healthy diet. You should take extra precaution when she goes into heat that there will be intact male dogs seeking her out to try and breed with her. If your intention is not for her to have puppies than it is very important to keep her away from intact male dogs during this time of her heat cycle or she will be bred. If you do not wish for her to have puppies it would be best to have her spayed prior to her first heat cycle by your veterinarian. Best of luck with your sweet puppy Olie.

That is true - typically the first heat cycle occurs around 9 months in a small breed dog but it can occur as early as 6 months. You should make sure there is no potential for her to either escape from your yard or for other dogs to get into your yard to avoid an accidental breeding, and should avoid taking her in public when she is in heat. She will first go through a proestrus phase where the vulva swells and there is bloody discharge: this lasts 1-2 weeks. You will want to have diaper for her to wear to decrease the mess. Estrus comes next and will be when she is fertile and will ovulate - this lasts another 5-10 days but there is no longer any bloody discharge. If you don't plan to breed Mini in the future you may want to discuss having her spayed.

No a dog's growth does not stop after her first heat. Some dogs continue growing, although slowly, until about 18 months to two years of age depending on the breed. I'd have a diaper for her so she doesn't bleed all over the house. Exercise her at her pace. Keep her away from all intact males during her first heat. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The final weight of a dog depends on breed. Large breed and giant breed dogs can grow until 2 years of age. At 4 months and weighing only 6 lbs, I would guess (without seeing a picture of your dog0 that he won't be over 15 pounds. I wish you the best!