It depends on a lot of things. I have had girls have a first heat between 6-9 mos, and then a late season around 12 mos. Those are from my twice a year gals. My once a year gals came in around normal time for the first time..so like 9 mos - a year. But if they spend a lot of time around other bitches in heat, it will draw them in. Like the National…anybody who isn't in heat at the beginning of the National, usually is within a few weeks of going home, because all those hormones kick theirs into overdrive.
Ok, thanks. 9-10 months would be National time - she is going to the National (so am I). Hopefully, she doesn't bring me a follow-up Christmas present. 
My girl is about 16 months old but she was just at a show where I heard someone comment that their bitch did well considering that she was in full blown heat. Hmmmm. This is my girls third season. She came in at about 6 months and then again in October and now… Would contact at a show be enough to set her off?
Ok, thanks. 9-10 months would be National time - she is going to the National (so am I). Hopefully, she doesn't bring me a follow-up Christmas present.
Yay!!!! I will get to meet you in person! I will definitely be there, since we are doing trophies.
My girl is about 16 months old but she was just at a show where I heard someone comment that their bitch did well considering that she was in full blown heat. Hmmmm. This is my girls third season. She came in at about 6 months and then again in October and now… Would contact at a show be enough to set her off?
Could have been the other bitch that has brought her in or she could have been coming in anyway as that was the cycle my bitch had until she had her litter, April then October.
My girl is about 16 months old but she was just at a show where I heard someone comment that their bitch did well considering that she was in full blown heat. Hmmmm. This is my girls third season. She came in at about 6 months and then again in October and now… Would contact at a show be enough to set her off?
Hmm…usually it has to be prolonged contact....because the hormones are set into action for awhile prior to you seeing the signs of her being in heat. Also when you have a dramatic weather change winter to spring, lots of sun, sometimes you will see a rash of females go into heat.
Could have been the other bitch that has brought her in or she could have been coming in anyway as that was the cycle my bitch had until she had her litter, April then October.
Yeah, if they are just natural two season girls, the seasons are usually pretty reliably six months apart at their peak of fertility…again, this will shift as they age.
Yay!!!! I will get to meet you in person! I will definitely be there, since we are doing trophies.
I really look forward to meeting you…you have been such a huge help to me with all your advice!
Ok, thanks. 9-10 months would be National time - she is going to the National (so am I). Hopefully, she doesn't bring me a follow-up Christmas present.
I hope to bring Zoni to Nationals too and had similar questions. I hope she read the book too like her mother. :rolleyes: So, what are the general rules around bitches in season and competitions? You can show them "full blown in season" but not have them compete in performance events? Is that right?
I hope to bring Zoni to Nationals too and had similar questions. I hope she read the book too like her mother. :rolleyes: So, what are the general rules around bitches in season and competitions? You can show them "full blown in season" but not have them compete in performance events? Is that right?
Correct. And in general it is nice to keep her away from ringside, and intact boys. Also polite to tell the judge before he goes over her, so he/she doesn't get messy. If I end up in a mixed sex class, I will also mention it to handler's of boys infront or behind us.
And NO where near a coursing field. 
Don't even bring her.
Yeah, it's bad enough we have to deal with Basenji boys…let alone randy Basenji boys! lol Don't bring them anywhere near ANY performance event. A dog show is fine because everyone is "supposed" to have full leash control over all dogs at all times. It's the only event really where that is the case. Just keep yourself secluded and tell your fellow exhibitors and the judge so they are prepared. And keep a tissue in your pocket to keep her from leaving trails. lol
Basenji boys are going to be naughty at that time of year no matter what anyways. They are pretty much cyclic just like the girls. And especially if you go to nationals, as soon as you arrive they assume the raunchy behaviors.
I'm probably not going to be very popular for saying this but I don't think bitches that are in season should be at any competitions showing or performance. Two reasons for this is 1, it is not fair on other dogs and 2, the bitch is more open to infection while in season.
In Germany you are not allowed to take a bitch that is in season to a show, though I'm sure some still do and just hope they don't get caught:rolleyes: I would love to see out KC bring in this rule but can't see that they ever will.
I'm probably not going to be very popular for saying this but I don't think bitches that are in season should be at any competitions showing or performance. Two reasons for this is 1, it is not fair on other dogs and 2, the bitch is more open to infection while in season.
In Germany you are not allowed to take a bitch that is in season to a show, though I'm sure some still do and just hope they don't get caught:rolleyes: I would love to see out KC bring in this rule but can't see that they ever will.
Agree 100%.
I have two entire males that i show and it is pretty much impossible to get them to show when there are in season bitches around :rolleyes: I know some people argue that if they're judged in seperate rings then its ok, but if the boys notice a girl in season there is not much you can do to make them concentrate!!
And also agree with the point about it being a risk of infection. Not worth it for a show for me :rolleyes:
Will be interested to see if Maya comes into season once or twice a year… Once would be much more convenient for entering shows
Agree 100%.
I have two entire males that i show and it is pretty much impossible to get them to show when there are in season bitches around :rolleyes: I know some people argue that if they're judged in seperate rings then its ok, but if the boys notice a girl in season there is not much you can do to make them concentrate!!
And also agree with the point about it being a risk of infection. Not worth it for a show for me :rolleyes:
Will be interested to see if Maya comes into season once or twice a year… Once would be much more convenient for entering shows
It's a nightmare with the males isn't it:rolleyes:
Because we are a numericaly small breed we often have breeds in the ring before us and after and you can tell that there has been a bitch in season in the ring because they just have their noses to the ground. Also at open shows where the classes are ususally mixed it can be even worse:rolleyes:
I'm hoping Belle stays a once a year girl.
It's a nightmare with the males isn't it:rolleyes:
Because we are a numericaly small breed we often have breeds in the ring before us and after and you can tell that there has been a bitch in season in the ring because they just have their noses to the ground. Also at open shows where the classes are ususally mixed it can be even worse:rolleyes:I'm hoping Belle stays a once a year girl.
We were at an Open show yesterday (Maya went along as Official Cheerleader") and the pugs were the second breed in the ring. Im pretty sure there had been an in season bitch in the ring before us as Jovi behaved like a complete monster :rolleyes: And he's usually pretty good!! Couldn't get him to concentrate at all, nose to the ground and just really, really distracted. And he's only a pup and never been used at stud!!!
I suppose it depends on the male. My boy Nicky has always shown better with girls in season around. He has a reason to strut his stuff I guess. He stands taller, gaits nicer, just pretty much screams, "Hey girls, look at me!"
As for a higher risk for infection, I really don't think I have heard of any correlation with attending shows with an in season bitch and an increased occurence of pyometra. It is common practice in the United States to show girls in season and often nearly all the girls at the BCOA Nationals are in season either because they were when they got there or they were brought in by everyone else.
I suppose it depends on the male. My boy Nicky has always shown better with girls in season around. He has a reason to strut his stuff I guess. He stands taller, gaits nicer, just pretty much screams, "Hey girls, look at me!"
As for a higher risk for infection, I really don't think I have heard of any correlation with attending shows with an in season bitch and an increased occurence of pyometra. It is common practice in the United States to show girls in season and often nearly all the girls at the BCOA Nationals are in season either because they were when they got there or they were brought in by everyone else.
God i'm glad I don't show in the states then:eek: It's not just pyo, there are other infections that they can be open to and I will never risk it for the sake of a prize card. Also when my bitch is in season (well until she was spayed) she loses her show sparkle so would be a waste of time anyway.
I suppose it depends on the male. My boy Nicky has always shown better with girls in season around. He has a reason to strut his stuff I guess. He stands taller, gaits nicer, just pretty much screams, "Hey girls, look at me!"
As for a higher risk for infection, I really don't think I have heard of any correlation with attending shows with an in season bitch and an increased occurence of pyometra. It is common practice in the United States to show girls in season and often nearly all the girls at the BCOA Nationals are in season either because they were when they got there or they were brought in by everyone else.
There doesnt really have to be any hard and fast proven correlation of infection in bitches shown in season for me. The fact that whilst in season the risk of picking up an infection is far higher, and the fact that many, many people will take sick dogs to show is enough to put me off showing an in season bitch. Would rather rule out the risk as much as possible Its only a show afterall, i dont think a prize card should ever be put above a dogs health!
Basi - never mind showing in the states, i wouldn't wanna judge over there :p Yuk!
Basi - never mind showing in the states, i wouldn't wanna judge over there :p Yuk!
Too true! eeeww
I suppose it depends on the male. My boy Nicky has always shown better with girls in season around. He has a reason to strut his stuff I guess. He stands taller, gaits nicer, just pretty much screams, "Hey girls, look at me!"
As for a higher risk for infection, I really don't think I have heard of any correlation with attending shows with an in season bitch and an increased occurence of pyometra. It is common practice in the United States to show girls in season and often nearly all the girls at the BCOA Nationals are in season either because they were when they got there or they were brought in by everyone else.
Ditto…Querk has never been any more challenging than normal when girls are in heat at a show. I think he sparkles *more 
I agree with Lisa, I have never heard of any increased risk of pyo from showing an in season girl.
My girls do seem to not show as well during their *first heat (sometimes at the National) but after that they are the same as all other times.
There doesnt really have to be any hard and fast proven correlation of infection in bitches shown in season for me. The fact that whilst in season the risk of picking up an infection is far higher, and the fact that many, many people will take sick dogs to show is enough to put me off showing an in season bitch. Would rather rule out the risk as much as possible
Basi - never mind showing in the states, i wouldn't wanna judge over there :p Yuk!
Uh..well…ya get kinda used to girls in season, when you have girls in season...it isn't that big a deal. My girls hardly shed any blood after the first day or so...particularly after their first heat (it seems heavier then).
I think the pyo because of being out and about might be akin to when human girls were told not to bathe or swim during their periods. Seems like it *might make sense..but in reality doesn't really matter. As far as pyo..it is a bacterial infection...a bitch is no more likely to run into bacteria at a show, than she is in your own back yard...it is everywhere....
Either way, there are people who choose not to show in heat bitches here in the US, and there are people who have males that go nuts, and they complain about bitches in heat, and there are those of us that just do what seems to work for that individual dog. It all seems to work out.
