Dog Puberty

There is one thing that all puppy owners can rely on – and that is that they will one day grow up and become an adult dog. The first step of that transition from puppy to adult is puberty.

What is dog puberty?

When we talk about puberty – as opposed to adolescence – we are talking about the developmental stage when a young dog becomes sexually mature and capable of reproduction. 

When does dog puberty start? 

Dogs will reach puberty at different times depending on breed and size. On average, this will occur between 6-12 months of age but in smaller dogs, this can be earlier and in larger breeds it can be later. 

Puberty and adolescence are closely related developmental changes. It can be useful to think of puberty as being the physical changes that your puppy will go through as they reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction, and adolescence as the much longer behavioral (teenage) stage that follows that a dog has to navigate as they deal the process of becoming an adult – and this can go on until 12-24 months of age depending on the breed and size of the dog.

Physical signs of dog puberty

The physical signs of puberty are very different depending on whether your puppy is male or female. 

Female dog puberty symptoms

• First Season (Heat): The most obvious sign of an entire female dog entering puberty is her first season (heat). A female dog’s first season will usually occur at between six to 10 months of age (later in larger breeds), then once they’re mature, will occur approximately every six to seven months. A useful indicator to estimate when your dog’s first season will be is to ask the breeder how old your puppy’s mother was when she first came into season.
• Physical Signs: You might notice that your puppy seems a bit ‘out of sorts’ for a few days but the first physical signs you are likely to see are a degree of swelling or redness of the vulva, a small amount of discharge and some increased licking of the area. This discharge can be clear, straw-colored and/or bloody and this can vary throughout the season. This period usually lasts about 4-11 days and is called ‘pro-oestrus’.
• Changes in Urination & Male Dog Attention: You may notice your puppy needs to urinate more or urinates more often when out. Other dogs might also begin to take an increased amount of interest in her, although she will not be at all interested in their advances – and may even be very grumpy about it! Males will also show even more interest in her than they would previously have done.
• Behavioral & Hormonal Shifts: During the whole time your dog is in season, she can display unusual behavior and just generally feel ‘out of sorts’ and hormonal. She needs a lot of TLC and understanding – as well as being kept away from other dogs. With time, and if you choose to keep your dog entire, you will learn how your individual dog behaves during her seasons, and so will be able to predict her mood swings and behavior changes.
• The Fertile Period (Oestrus Phase): The next stage of the season is the oestrus phase, and this is the time when a female dog is receptive to breeding and so can get pregnant easily. Often the discharge becomes less bloody, but this varies between individuals. This lasts around 5-9 days but again, varies. During the oestrus stage, she will be highly fertile and ready (sometimes extremely keen!) to breed. It is worth being cautious both during this phase and for a few days after all signs of the season have passed, as otherwise, if your female is mated, she can easily become pregnant - even if it’s only your dog’s first season.

The whole season will last for between 14-21 days.

How to help your dog during their season

Walking earlier/later when there are far fewer dogs around is important during this period, as well as keeping her on a lead at all times, as she will be attractive to other male dogs. If necessary, take her out in the car to somewhere you know will be quiet for her walks. If this isn’t possible, exercise her in the garden, focus on enrichment games and play in the house, or look at hiring a private dog field. 

No feeding changes will be needed although due to the hormonal changes, you may notice a mild change in appetite in your dog, but this is not something to be concerned about. 

Keep her comfortable and warm, give her as much company as she needs or wants, and be guided by her as she enters this new phase of life.

Male dog puberty symptoms

• Sexual Maturity & Breeding Capacity: Males do not have a season like females, and once sexually mature they can breed all the time, although are at their most fertile between around 12-18 months old. It is best to err on the safe side however and assume your puppy is capable of fathering puppies by six months old especially if they are a smaller breed.
• Testicle Descent: Usually, the testicles in a male puppy will descend into the scrotum very shortly after birth and usually they have descended by 3 months of age.
• Onset of Leg Lifting: Once the testicles descend his testosterone levels will begin to rise and as he reaches puberty the puppy will start to lift his leg to urinate. Like females, the timing can vary but usually this will happen between six – 12 months of age (later in large breeds).
• Increased Marking & Humping: You might also see increased territory marking (urination on vertical surfaces) – and humping.

Dog puberty FAQs

When does dog puberty end?

Puberty is a relative short period of physical development – but that leads directly into adolescence which can end at anything from 12-24 months depending on the size od the dog and the individual.

Do neutered dogs go through puberty?

Dogs neutered early do not go through puberty but they do go through adolescence.

How often do phantom pregnancies occur in dogs?

Phantom pregnancies – where a dog acts and feels pregnant a few weeks after a season even through she isn’t - are fairly common in unspayed bitches especially in certain breeds. The symptoms mimic the symptoms of a real pregnancy with the bitch showing maternal behaviors such as nesting, gathering or mothering toys – and even abdominal gain and enlarged mammary glands. Usually these symptoms are mild and resolve in a few weeks but other times they will need veterinary intervention.

Carolyn Menteith