When Do Schnauzers Go Into Heat?: What To Expect

Proestrus 

This is the start of the heat period of a female and it is where her body starts to prepare to mate. Signs of this stage include:

• Swollen vulva
• Blood-tinged vaginal discharge
• Excessive licking of her genital area 
• Clingy behavior 
• Tucking her tail
• Aggression towards male dogs

Estrus

The Estrus phase is the main mating phase where a female is in heat meaning they are ready to mate. 

A Schnauzer in heat is receptive to males and this occurs when her vaginal discharge decreases. This is when the discharge changes color to a pink/ brownish or straw color.

In this phase she:

• Urinates frequently leaving marks indicating to males that she is ready to mate
• Aggressively seeks male dogs
• Approaches males with her tail on her side (flagged tail)
• Aggressive to other female dogs

Diestrus

After the Estrus phase, a female dog’s body either returns to normal or develops into pregnancy if she successfully mated.

Her discharge stops completely and her genital areas return to their normal size. Her fertile window has closed at this stage.

Anestrus

This is the last phase of the heat cycle where a female’s body is completely normal and with no signs of sexual behavior or hormonal changes taking place.

It is the period of inactivity where her body gets ready for her next cycle which is again expected in another 6 – 12 months.

How long does a Schnauzer stay in heat?

A Schnauzer’s heat cycle, also known as estrus, usually lasts for approximately 2 – 3 weeks.

The length of the heat cycle can depend on the individual dog, and it may also change from one cycle to the next.

The heat cycle is considered to begin following the first signs of swelling of the vulva, her attention to her vulva, and the appearance of vaginal discharge. The cycle ends when the discharge completely stops and the vulva resumes its usual size.

It is important to keep a close eye on your Schnauzer during this time to prevent unwanted breeding and to ensure that she receives appropriate care and attention.

How Often Do Schnauzers Go into heat?

Female Schnauzers go into heat every 6 – 12 months with an average of two cycles per year. She continues to go into the heat cycle throughout her life.

As a Schnauzer owner, it is important to keep track of the heat cycle to better care for them as well as prevent breeding.

If you are considering breeding your Schnauzer, it’s important to wait until she has fully matured and to consult with a veterinarian or a reputable breeder for guidance.

Signs of a Female Schnauzer  in heat

The heat cycle presents changes in a female Schnauzer which are observed in various phases of the cycle. When you are trying to identify a Schnauzer  in heat, look out for the following signs:

Swollen vulva 

One of the first signs of a female Schnauzer in heat is the swelling of the vulva. The vulva becomes red and swollen which indicates she has started the heat cycle.

Increased attention to her vulva

Following the swelling of the vulva, a female Schnauzer will have an increased interest and attention to her vulva. She will be sniffing and licking it a lot more than usual.

Vaginal bleeding

Blood spotted vaginal discharge will be produced. Some Schnauzers have a heavy discharge while some have minimal discharge. 

To prevent your home from being soiled by the discharge, I recommend getting a dog diaper that they can wear. 

There are washable and disposable diapers available in different sizes which also have an allowance for your dog’s tail. 

Frequent urination

During the heat cycle, a female Schnauzer will constantly urinate. This is normal during this time. 

The urine contains pheromones and hormones that give a scent to male dogs signaling that she is in heat and ready to mate.

Behavior change 

When a female Schnauzer is in heat, you will notice a change in behavior from her and she will want to mate when the vaginal discharge decreases. 

She will be more distracted and nervous than usual and will try to get pregnant at any cost. 

She will also be more receptive to male Schnauzers by courting them, initiating the mating position by raising her behind towards them or moving her tail on one side which is known as “flagging”, to enable mating. 

To prevent breeding during this time, walk her on a leash when outside your home where she may meet male suitors, and also keep her contained in your house or backyard to prevent access to male dogs. 

A Schnauzer in heat will also have clingy behavior toward its owners. 

This behavior change is temporary and she returns to her normal self after her heat cycle ends.

See Also: Why is my Schnauzer so clingy?

How to care for a Schnauzer  in heat

If your Schnauzer is going through her heat cycle, it is best to be well prepared on how to care for her to keep her comfortable. 

The following are the different ways you can do this:

Allow her to have extra rest during her cycle. A female Schnauzer needs energy as she goes through the motions of the whole cycle. 

Therefore allow her to have enough rest by easing her activities such as her exercise routine by taking shorter walks. 

Do not let her off her leash during walks to prevent her from running off to a male dog that she may encounter.

Keep your dog comfortable by keeping her environment calm and away from noise or other triggers of stress.

This helps to keep her calm, happy and it also distracts her from the discomfort of her hormonal changes

Keep her from your furniture or carpeted areas during the bleeding phase to prevent her from creating a mess on the surfaces. Dog diapers are essential during this time. 

If she needs to lick herself while in a diaper, remove it temporarily to allow this natural process.

Feed her well with plenty of drinking water to keep her healthy and to have energy from her food sources.

Isolate her in your home or backyard away from male dogs. Supervisor her when in the backyard because she will have the drive to look for a mate and might try to escape to achieve this.

Consult with your veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness. Female Schnauzers may develop a bacterial infection from the remains of their thickened uterus after their cycle. 

This uterine infection also known as pyometra, is life-threatening therefore ensure to observe your dog for signs of illness which include:

• Excessive drinking of water
• Excessive urination 
• Loss of appetite
• Production of thick discharge from her genitals
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness

After her heat cycle plan to have her spayed. If your intent is not to breed your dog, this is the next step to consider so that she will not reproduce. 

At what age should a Schnauzer be spayed?

Spaying of a female Schnauzer is done between the ages of 6 months to 1 year, however, the appropriate age to spay a Schnauzer can vary depending on various factors, including the individual dog’s health, size, and maturity level.  

Spaying is a surgical procedure in which the female dog’s ovaries and uterus are removed, making them unable to reproduce. 

Spaying has several health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers, preventing unwanted pregnancy, and avoiding some behavioral problems associated with heat cycles.

It is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best time for your Schnauzer’s spay surgery, as the decision should be based on the individual dog’s health, medical history, and lifestyle.

Conclusion

When a female Schnauzer matures sexually, they go through a cycle where they are ready for mating which is commonly known as being in heat.

This is a stage where you will notice both behavioral and physical changes that will confirm they are in a heat cycle.

As a Schnauzer owner, being aware of these signs helps you to be more prepared in terms of their care as well as prevent breeding.

Also, talk to your veterinarian about spaying your female Schnauzer  and neutering your Schnauzer  male dog.