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When Do Dobermans Go Into Heat? Vet-Reviewed Breed Facts & Characteristics

Chris Dinesen Rogers

By Chris Dinesen Rogers

doberman pinscher dog in the forest

Vet approved

Dr. Maja Platisa Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Maja Platisa

In-House Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Few dogs carry themselves with such elegance as the Doberman Pinscher. It’s probably one of the many reasons this breed ranks 15th among the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) list of the most popular canines in 2023.1 If you’ve just invited a female puppy into your home, you may wonder when she will go into heat or estrus and what to expect. It typically occurs for the first time between 6–15 months, depending on the pup’s size.

A Doberman is a large breed, with the female getting up to 26 inches tall and weighing 60–90 pounds. Therefore, you can expect the timing in the middle of that range, with sexual maturity at about 8–12 months, depending on how big your dog is, as some females will develop a little slower than others. It’s important to know when to expect your pup’s first heat, so you can avoid them getting pregnant. Speak to your vet about the best time to get your female dog spayed.

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Female Heat Cycle

A female dog’s reproductive cycle consists of four stages.2 Female dogs that have not been spayed usually have two estrus or heat cycles per year, around 6 months apart. However, in some dogs, these intervals between estruses are much longer, to the point they may have only one heat per year. This is often the case in larger breeds, like the Doberman Pinscher. In young females, the first heat may be silent, meaning they will not show any external signs of estrus.2

The first stage of the cycle is called proestrus. This marks the start of heat and can last around a week, or from 3-17 days. You’ll notice behavioral and physical changes in your pet at the beginning of the female’s heat cycle. The vulva becomes swollen and it will start to attract males but will not allow mounting. Females develop a bloody discharge, which they frequently lick off, while showing changes in their behavior, such as reduced appetite, listlessness, or even nervousness.

The second stage is estrus, when the mating can occur.3 Duration of estrus can be variable, from 5 to 10 days, or as long as 18 days. Blood flow reduces and the discharge becomes much clearer, until it stops. The vulva is less swollen and may appear wrinkled. Females will now attract and accept males. Ovulation occurs during estrus.

The third stage of the cycle is diestrus, that follows after the heat. It can last from 10 to 140 days, depending on whether the dog is pregnant or in a resting phase.

The last phase is anestrus, which is a resting period before the next heat cycle.

black and tan female doberman pinscher dog standing on the bench
Image Credit: Michsa, Shutterstock

Spaying Female Dobermans

Your next question is probably when is it safe to spay my dog? It’s generally a common practice to have the surgery done between 6-15 months old when the pet has been fully vaccinated and has finished growing, but this will greatly depend on the dog’s breed and size.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has issued guidelines on the best timing for neutering and spaying dogs. Large-breed dogs (over 45 pounds adult body weight) should be neutered after growth stops, which usually is between 9 and 15 months of age. The decision on when to spay a large-breed female dog is based on many factors, such as the individual dog’s health, disease risk based on ancestral breeding history, lifestyle, temperament, size, and others, and should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Roughly 85% of dogs in the United States are neutered, with 32 states requiring it for shelter adoptions. The decrease in homeless pets is a compelling reason to opt for this procedure.

Other factors of spaying benefit both the dogs and their owners, including reduced risk for certain serious and even cancerous health conditions affecting the reproductive tract and mammary glands in females, stopping further heat cycles and eliminating heat related behaviors and bloody vaginal discharge, while helping control the overall pet population, and many more.

However, there is varying and sometimes conflicting advice online, often not based on research, on when to spay your female Doberman Pinscher, and this is best discussed with a veterinary professional caring for your dog, as the advice will be based on your dog’s individual health and character. We will go through some of the common risks associated with the reproductive tract and how spaying may affect it.

Cancer Risk

One reason a pet owner should consider spaying their Doberman is the risk of mammary tumors. Research has shown this breed, among others, has a heightened risk for developing mammary tumors and pyometra (an infection of the uterus), with a 62% chance of developing one or both of these conditions by 10 years of age. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to get your pup spayed as a preventive measure. Although some literature reviews have shown variable association between neutering and a reduced risk of mammary tumors, others found that spayed female dogs had 4 times less risk of dying from mammary cancer compared to intact females. It’s important to speak to your vet who will help you make the best decision for your dog.

Another concern with Dobermans rests with the breed’s risk of developing osteosarcoma or bone cancer. While it’s more likely to occur in these pups, some research suggests early spaying may increase the chances of it happening. There was a significant increase in the incidence of osteosarcoma in female and male dogs that were neutered before 1 year of age. However, the overall incidence of osteosarcoma in this particular population of dogs was much higher, which suggested a hereditary component, and this does not represent the general population of Doberman Pinscher dogs, which should be taken into account.

The data tell us that the onset of these conditions has other mitigating factors, with genetics being the proverbial wild card. Timing of the procedure, the pet’s age, and other variables may play a role, with a definitive association and disease occurrence yet to be determined.

Pyometra

Pyometra, defined as an infection of the uterus, occurs in females as a secondary infection due to hormonal changes. It may be influenced by several estrus cycles resulting in no pregnancies, leading to a cystic endometrial hyperplasia, alongside other contributing factors. It usually develops in middle aged and older pets, making spaying a potential benefit for high-risk breeds, although any female dog can develop pyometra. Spaying is a much safer procedure when performed in a healthy and fit young dog, unlike in an older dog that has developed pyometra, where it carries more risks as the dog is often systemically unwell, with toxins released from bacteria affecting the kidneys and other organ systems if not treated promptly.

a doberman dog at the vet
Image Credit: Roman Fenton, Shutterstock

Urinary Incontinence

Doberman Pinschers have a greater chance of developing urinary incontinence after being spayed. However, it remains unknown why this occurs, and studies haven’t yet found a correlation between age at time of spaying and likelihood of developing incontinence. It seems that female dogs were significantly less likely to develop incontinence when spayed after 3 months of age. These findings may mean that delaying the surgery in Dobermans may offer additional health benefits, but this is something being currently investigated. Speak to your vet about the best time to spay your dog.

Obesity Risk

Part of the beauty of the Doberman breed is their sleek profile, with their powerful chest and lean form. One concern of spaying possibly lies with the animal’s obesity risk. Hormonal changes brought on by the surgery may impact the dog’s appetite and metabolic rate, alongside other factors. Thus, their caloric requirements are also less and these should be adjusted by feeding appropriate food amounts, choosing the correct type of food depending on the age and activity level, and ensuring exercise requirements are being met every day.

Other Things to Consider

We understand why some dog owners would choose to spay their pets before their first heat cycles, but this decision should be based on professional veterinary recommendation on a case by case basis, breed of the dog, their ancestry and health, risks of certain disease, and available scientific research. However, the evidence tells us that it isn’t a cut-and-dry solution for all. You should think about other things that may influence your decision. Would you want to breed your dog? Are you interested in showing your Doberman? If so, bear in mind that they must be intact to compete in conformation trials.

Other considerations involve the procedure itself. It’s often less risky and may have fewer complications when done in young healthy dogs. It’s also more expensive if you delay it, or your female dog develops pyometra. All these things point to one conclusion.

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In Conclusion

Knowing when your Doberman will go into heat gives you time to familiarize yourself with signs of heat, how long will it last, and how to protect your female dog from unwanted pregnancy. Speak to your vet about the best time to get her spayed as this will greatly depend on her age, size, underlying health concerns or risks, temperament, and many more. Spaying will provide a better quality of life for your Dobie, as long as you manage their weight properly afterward.


Featured Image By: Daria Shvetcova, Shutterstock

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