🦴 Updated on July 14th, 2023
The Great Dane is a breed of dog with a worldwide reputation. One quality they are known for is being courageous, and a Great Dane in heat is a sight to behold. She will be strutting her stuff around the house and yard, constantly wagging her tail and emitting a low, throaty whine.
When my Scooby went into heat the first time, I didn’t know what was happening. If you’re in the same position, you may worry there’s something wrong with them.
Their body and behavior will change, but if you don’t give them the proper care, their heat will be a lot more difficult for them than it needs to be.
Dealing with a dog in heat is a hot topic, literally. It doesn’t have to be a challenge, though. Once you know how long it lasts and why it happens, you (and your dog) will be able to rest easily.
When Do Great Danes Go Into Heat?
The reproductive cycle of female dogs is known as heat. When do Great Danes become fertile? The answer varies depending on the dog’s age and health.
The Great Dane Heat Cycle
Generally, the first heat cycle happens between 10 and 24 months old. The average age for the Great Dane’s heat cycle is about 18 months.
Dogs in heat will often have a bloody discharge and will be more interested in mating. If you are not planning to breed your dog, it is important to keep her away from other dogs during this time.
If a female Great Dane in heat is exposed to another dog, she could become pregnant. While these gentle giants have short breeding seasons, they can become pregnant as early as eight months old.
How Often Do Great Danes Go Into Heat?
Some Great Danes may only go into heat once a year, while others may go into heat twice a year. On average, female Great Danes go into heat once a year. Exceptionally, some Great Danes may go into heat once every 18 months.
How Long Are Great Danes Pregnant?
On average, Great Danes are pregnant for around 63 days. However, just like with human pregnancies, there is some variation between individual dogs, so it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s symptoms and pregnancy progress.
The length of time a Great Dane is pregnant depends on several factors, including her size, breed type (long-haired or short-haired), diet, and overall health.
Breeding quality has a lot to do with pregnancy length. If a female Great Dane becomes pregnant young, she will probably have a shorter pregnancy than she would if she were older at the time of breeding.
While there is no one “correct” length of time for a Great Dane pregnancy, knowing what to expect can help you get better prepared for the arrival of your new puppies.
Signs That Your Great Dane Is in Heat
When your Great Dane goes into heat, you can expect her to become restless and moody. She may also start licking her genital area more frequently.
To attract a mate, a gentle giant in heat will release a powerful scent. As a result, the Great Dane owners can often smell the pheromones up to several meters away.
With her large body and swollen belly, she is a picture of fertility. Her constant licking and restless behavior are also clues that she is ready to mate. A Female’s dog body swells with hormones (the hormone levels are constantly increasing), and she urinates more frequently. She may roam the house constantly, searching for a mate, or she may become aggressive and territorial.
The heat symptoms may also include a bloody/brown discharge. Although this is normal, it is still a good idea to take your dog to a good vet if you notice any significant changes in her behavior.
How to Take Care of a Great Dane in Heat
If you have a Scooby in heat, you will need to take care of her differently than you would if she were not in heat. During heat, your dog will produce more estrogen, which can cause her to become moody and restless. She may also bleed more heavily than usual.
Keeping your Great Dane confined during this time will help to limit the spread of bacteria. If your dog has not exhibited any signs of heat, you can safely allow her to roam the house freely.
However, she will require extra monitoring during this time. As a precaution, keep all cats and small dogs out of the house while your Great Dane is in heat.
Make sure she has a comfortable place to rest, plenty of water, and access to food. You may also need to provide some extra TLC, such as petting and brushing her frequently. Some breeders even recommend a diet specifically designed for canines in heat.
Regularly providing your pup with activities that help tire her out is an important part of ensuring a healthy canine body and mind.
Mating Great Danes: The Estrus Stage
Great Dane mating is a process that can be quite difficult. First, the female and male dogs must be introduced to each other. If they show signs of interest, the male dog will start to mount the female. If the female is not interested, she will move away.
The Great Danes mating process can be challenging and needs to be done with caution. It is important to ensure that the breeding pair is healthy and genetically compatible to produce healthy puppies.
This may involve blood tests, as well as microchip scanning. You may also need to take your dog to a veterinarian to get her prepped for breeding.
Once the Great Dane is in heat, she will begin to exhibit intense sexual behavior. Males will often display complementary behavior. Some obvious signs of interest are tail wagging, restlessness, and mounting.
Great Dane Dog Diapers
If you have a Great Dane, you know that they can be a bit clumsy at times. And if you have a dog that wets the bed, you know that they can be a bit of a pain to keep clean. But now there’s a solution: Dog diapers. These washable diapers are designed to fit your large dog and keep them dry and clean.
Keep your female dog in heat dry and clean. Made of soft and comfortable materials, these doggie diapers will keep your doggie feeling her best.
Being a dog owner, you know that they can be in real despair when it comes to housetraining. But what do you do when your dog is too big to use normal training pads? You can buy a set of diapers, of course.
These disposable diapers are made to fit most dogs up to 120 pounds, and they come in several colors and styles. The diapers are designed to fit your dog’s massive body and are made from absorbent materials to keep messes under control.
Caring for Pregnant Great Danes
If you are the owner of a pregnant Great Dane, you must know how to care for her during her pregnancy. Some things you will need to do include providing her with plenty of food and water, making sure she has a comfortable place to rest, and taking her to the vet for regular check-ups.
Be sure to keep an eye on her weight and size, and adjust her diet and exercise as needed.
Great Danes are typically considered gentle giants, but they can be difficult to care for when pregnant. Keeping her weight under control and providing her with the right nutrients is crucial for a healthy dog during pregnancy. Some Great Danes will also require additional prenatal care.
During pregnancy, the progesterone level in a Great Dane’s body increases. However, if the progesterone is too high or too low, it can cause a hormonal imbalance. This can lead to health problems for both the mother and the unborn pup.
Hormonal changes can also make a Great Dane overly aggressive during pregnancy.
Preparing for the Arrival of New Great Dane Puppies
It’s an exciting time when new Great Dane puppies are expected! Families often prepare by purchasing supplies and preparing the home for the new arrivals.
Some things that will need to be done include creating a safe space for the puppies to play, setting up a feeding area, and making sure there is a place for the puppies to potty.
Aside from these preparations, there are also many fun things that you can do with your new pups. Obedience classes, puppy socialization classes, and regular playdates with your dog friends are just a few fun activities to get the ball rolling.
FAQ
How long does a Great Dane bleed in heat?
The length of time that a Great Dane will bleed during estrus can vary, but it is typically between 9 and 18 days.
What do you do when your Great Dane is in heat?
You have to keep them away from other dogs. During estrus, the female’s behavior and scent change significantly. She becomes more vocal and may wander around in search of a mate. Her urine also becomes more aromatic
How long does Great Dane heat last?
Great Dane heat typically lasts for approximately 3 weeks.
How can I tell if my Great Dane is in heat?
Signs of heat in Great Danes can include a swollen vulva, bloody vaginal discharge, increased urination, flagging, and behavioral changes such as restlessness, moodiness and anxiety.
Final Thoughts
The Great Danes are large breed dogs known for their bravery worldwide. They are also outstanding in their abilities to strut their stuff and be daring.
Now that you have all the necessary information to deal with a Great Dane in the first heat, you don’t have to worry about what behavior is normal or healthy during this time. However, if you think your dog is truly acting weird, don’t hesitate to bring them to the licensed veterinarian for pet medical advice and eventually a check-up.
