Anatolian Shepherds are guardian dogs and make for loyal pets.
Are you wondering, when do Anatolian Shepherds go into heat? To answer your question, the simple way, the female Anatolian Shepherds go into heat when they turn one, and the cycle repeats every six to eight months. The ‘heat’ period lasts for about three to four weeks – with the 12th day being their most fertile.
That’s why it’s important to be able to identify certain signs that can indicate that the Anatolian Shepherd is in heat.
As you read this article, you’ll learn more about Anatolian Shepherds and their heat cycles. You’ll also learn how to breed Anatolian Shepherds.
So, read on!
What is the Heat Period for Anatolian Shepherds?
Anatolian Shepherds start their heat period when they turn one year old. The heat period lasts for 3-4 weeks in an Anatolian Shepherd female.
The heat period for Anatolian Shepherds is their menses, and it is how they breed a fresh litter. Plus, this heat period occurs every six to eight months in an Anatolian Shepherd.
During the initial period of the heat, the Anatolian Shepherd will have red blood discharge and vulva swelling. In the second week, the blood turns a straw color, and it becomes clear in the last week as the swelling goes down.
If you want to breed an Anatolian Shepherd, the 9th to 14th day of the heat period is her most fertile day. You can mate your female Anatolian Shepherd with a male from the 8th day. Ensure breeding occurs only once per day or every other day until the female Shepherd refuses to accept the male.
Typically, the gestation for an Anatolian Shepherd lasts for 58-63 days, and you’ll have a healthy litter. Ensure you breed an Anatolian Shepherd only after she has gone through at least two heat cycles. Her body must be well-formed to handle a pregnancy and gestation period. Read ahead to know more about breeding Anatolian Shepherd.
Signs Your Anatolian Shepherd is Going to Go into Heat
You’ll notice the following when your female Anatolian Shepherd is going to go into heat:
- Swollen vulva
- Bleeding
- Aggressive behavior
- Frequent urination
- Shifts in her tail
- Genital area licking
- Her receptiveness to male dogs
These signs will help you understand which of the below heat cycle stages your Anatolian Shepherd is going through.
What to Do When Your Anatolian Shepherd Goes through Heat Period?
You might want to know the various stages of the heat cycle so that you can know what to do to help your dog:
- Stage 1 – In this stage, you’ll start noticing that your Anatolian Shepherd will have swollen vulva and bleeding. As mentioned above, this starts in the initial week of the heat cycle. Your furry companion will feel clingy, nervous, and have nesting behavior. Plus, she’ll have frequent urination. If you want pups, you’ll want to test your Anatolian Shepherd for her fertile days on the 7th day of bleeding.
- Stage 2 – After the initial days of bleeding, which lasts for 10-12 days, your Anatolian Shepherd is ready to breed. She’ll begin licking her private parts, call for attention from male dogs to mate, and other such behaviors to signal that she is ready to breed. Ensure you don’t leave her alone during this stage.
- Stage 3 – In this stage of the heat cycle, your Anatolian Shepherd loses interest in mating, and the bleeding discharge completes. Your dog’s vulva will shrink back to its original size, and the bleeding will stop. When you breed, your Anatolian Shepherd will have a womb of puppies after this stage. If not, she will return to her normal self.
During the stages of heat, you’ll want to ensure your Anatolian Shepherd is protected. If you don’t want her mating, you’ll want to cage her and ensure no local dogs come near her. Make sure she has the right environment, grooming, and care, especially during this period.
Moreover, during the heat period, your Anatolian Shepherds need adequate portions of the right food for a smooth heat cycle and to ensure their health. Their food type and portions are unique.
How to Breed Anatolian Shepherds?
Anatolian Shepherds are popular breeds that are guardian dogs. With Turkish descent, they were introduced in the US around the 1970s. Now that you know when Anatolian Shepherds go into heat, you’ll want to know how to breed them, especially if you are a professional breeder of dogs.
Choosing the Female and Male Anatolian Shepherds
When choosing the female Anatolian Shepherd, ensure she has a normal heat cycle, as mentioned above. While selecting a male Anatolian shepherd, you must make sure he is fertile.
The dogs you choose for breeding must be healthy, have a good personality, be well-trained, have undergone proper socialization, and have any genetic issues. That is to ensure you get puppies that are healthy and have the best features and personality possible.
For example, Suppose the male Anatolian Shepherd is tall, has a strong bone structure, strong back, and great personality. Suppose your female Anatolian Shepherd is light; the male Anatolian Shepherd will complement her well and ensure a good structure for the litter.
Determine the Heat Cycle
When breeding, after you choose your male and female Anatolian Shepherd, ensure you determine the heat cycle of your female Anatolian Shepherd so that you know when breeding can occur. A female Anatolian Shepherd’s heat occurs twice a year, at least.
You need to place the male near her on the 8th day and every day until she loses interest in playing around with the male Anatolian Shepherd.
Consult a Veterinarian
After the female Anatolian Shepherd refuses to let the male mount her and stops showing interest, you can consult your vet to see if the mating has been a success. Once 25 days have passed since mating, your vet will be able to determine if there are potential puppies. 45 days later, you’ll know how big the litter will be.
Litter Size
Generally, Anatolian Shepherds can birth a litter size of 5 to 15 puppies. That depends on the Female Anatolian Shepherd’s health during pregnancy, her heat cycle environment, and genetic predisposition.
Gestation
The Gestation period for Anatolian Shepherds is 63 days. You need to ensure she has a calm environment without too many footfalls. Make a whelping area a week before the due date of your Anatolian Shepherd.
Labor
Your Anatolian Shepherd’s labor is visible when her temperature drops from her normal temperature of 101 Degrees. She will have a loss of appetite and start displaying nesting behavior. Ideally, a healthy female Anatolian Shepherd will give birth to the first puppy after 30 minutes of labor.
Once the puppies are born, ensure you give your female Anatolian Shepherd enough time to bond with the puppies.
Breeding Anatolian Shepherds gives you strong, loyal, friendly, affectionate, and protective puppies!
What to Do If You Don’t Want to Breed and You Want to Avoid the Heat Cycle?
If you don’t want to breed your Anatolian Shepherd, you can stop her from experiencing the heat cycle. You merely need to consult your vet and get your dog spayed. Ensure your Anatolian Shepherd has developed completely before spaying her. Here are the reasons to get your Anatolian Shepherd spayed:
- To skip the painful and messy heat cycle
- Eliminate reproduction possibility
- Prevent mammary cancer in your Anatolian Shepherds
- To treat any other medical conditions in older Anatolian Shepherds
Wrapping It Up
An Anatolian Shepherd goes in heat at the age of 1. This period lasts for 3-4 weeks and occurs every 6-8 months. Unless you spay your Anatolian Shepherd for the reasons mentioned above, she will go through this messy heat period twice a year.
When your Anatolian Shepherd goes through heat, they need extra care and pampering. Plus, they need more grooming, and you’ll be required to clean up after them to give them a clean environment.
Their personality, loyalty, and guardian nature make them a top choice for breeding.
So, ensure a smooth heat period for your Anatolian Shepherds.
