Golden Retrievers Heat Cycle Explained

You just got your first golden retriever and it’s a girl! She’s adorable, playful and comes from a great line of golden retrievers.

An important event in a female golden retriever's life is their heat cycle. It is important to know when your golden will go into heat and how long their heat will last.

Well, most female pups will not enter their heat cycles until around 6 months (normal for smaller breed dogs). Golden retrievers are more likely to have their first heat cycle at about 10 to 14 months; with giant breeds starting at 18 to 24 months.

Keep in mind, these are ranges and it could be earlier or later as every dog is different. It is important to track when your dog has their first heat cycle. For the most part, their timing should become regular after the first cycle.

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Signs Your Golden Is In Heat

On an average, a dog’s heat cycle can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Again, all dogs are different and may be exhibit signs at different times.

We know that your dog is not only experiencing hormonal changes, but visible and behavioral changes as well. Here are some of the changes you can look for:

Swollen vulva
Bleeding or discharge
Excessive licking of the genital area
Frequent urination
Abnormal mounting behavior
Increased movement caused by nervousness or alertness
Nesting behavior
Personality changes – more affectionate, clingier, playful

There are different thoughts in regards to the excessive licking in the genital area. Some believe it is your dog’s way of cleaning herself due to the bleeding and discharge. While some feel that the area is tender and sensitive due to excessive blood flow. Either way, it definitely helps with the possible mess.

Stages of a Golden's Heat Cycle

It is important to know your golden’s behavior and signs as she goes in and out of heat. This will help you know what stage she may be in, what is going on with her physically and how to address her needs during each phase.

Remember every golden is different so the time ranges may vary from dog to dog, as well as, the behavior.

Stage 1 – Proestrus

Stage can last from 4-20 days, average is 7-10 days
Swollen vulva – 3 to 4 times larger than normal
Discharge – note first day you notice blood – mark “Day 1” on calendar (important for tracking)
Pheromones – produced during heat and attracts male dogs
Behavior change – clingier to family, may growl and snap at male dogs

Stage 2 – Estrus

Stage can last from 5-14 days
Fertile time – actual heat time
Discharge – around day 8-9, changes from red color to the color of straw; most golden’s discharge remain pink in color
Instinct to breed, willing to mate, also known as “standing heat”
Will move tail to side, signaling willingness to mate, also known as “flagging”

Stage 3 – Diestrus

Usually starts at day 24, can last 60-90 days
Your golden is not fertile at this time
Discharge will go from straw color back to red, and then stop
Your golden will still have a scent, so do not take her out until the bleeding has completely stopped.
Will not allow a male to mount her, may get aggressive

Stage 4 – Anestrus

Final stage of heat cycle
Your golden’s body returns to normal
Cycle can last 60 to 90 days
When it is over, heat cycle starts all over again

Tips to Remember

Dogs heat cycle may vary on their size
Heat cycle should become regular after first one
Do not let your golden become pregnant during the first heat cycle
Signs of heat cycle – swollen vulva, discharge, behavior changes, etc.
4 stages of heat cycle – Proestrus, Estrus, Diestrus, Anestrus

Great tips thanks 🙏🏻

My almost 4 year old female golden always had predictable heat cycle exactly every six months not even 1 day late. Now she should have it in the or around first week of June…but June’s over and she’s late. Is that a normal?