My German Shepherd hasn't had her period?

Question

I'm not sure if she hasn't had her period yet or she just had it and we never realized it. Reason being is because she is outside most of the day because it is typically nicer outside. She is now 1 and a half years old. So she should of had it half a year ago. Should I be alarmed and take her to the vet or is it common for dogs to have relatively unnoticeable periods?

Thanks in advanced.

Thanks everyone for giving answers. I will try get to the vet ASAP, and I am taking actions now before it gets serious. I never thought it could be a fatal infection. There are too many excellent answers so I'll let the answers community pick one for me.

Answer 1

Dogs usually have their first heat cycle around 6 months of age. They will usually drip a bloody discharge for about a week. First of all, If she isn't spayed she needs to be. Especially if you keep her outside a lot. I know of male dogs that have come from miles away and climbed over or dug under fences and pens to breed a female in heat. Plus, being spayed practically eliminates your dog's chances of reproductive cancers, and uterine infections, which are common in unspayed females. And it is not true that you should wait until the dog has gone into heat or has had a litter. Now, if she truly hasn't had any discharge up until this age you do need to take her to your vet. She could possibly be at an increased risk of pyometria, which is a severe uterine infection often requiring an emergency spay surgery to save the pet.
Hope this helps. Pls go to the vet!

Answer 2

1) It is true that most female dogs go into heat from 6 months of age although some do start later. My Golden Retriever started at 9 months, for example.
2) It is possible (though not common) for female dogs to experience "silent heat" i.e. no discharge, which seems to be the only sure and physically visible confirmation of heat apart from behaviour changes and swelling of reproductive organs. For instance, my Golden Retriever's first heat consisted of having had a bloody discharge lasting only 1 day, which confused us - and even the vet had not concluded that she was in heat the day we scheduled to have her spayed and it was only during the operation it became apparent to them (because of the internal bleeding. Otherwise I would not have had her spayed that day).
3) Given that your dog is outside most of the day, your dog could have cleaned up after herself and that's why you didn't notice.
4) An otherwise observable increase of male dogs hanging around should have been some indication of her being in heat, if this has happened.
5) The above being said, German Shepherd dogs are typically known to have more frequent heat periods than many breeds, some going into heat as frequently as 3 times a year (as opposed to twice for most breeds).
6) You oughta ask the vet next time she goes for a visit (if soon), or earlier if you have other reasons to be urgently worried. Not being in heat is not a normal condition and merits medical attention.

Answer 3

you leave an intact female outside unattended and dont notice if she's been in heat yet or not? Im surprised you havent had a litter of puppies.

Dogs are in heat for about 3 weeks, the vulva swells and there is discharge, some females have less discharge then others. She may be a little tender to touch around her abdomen, and she may seem more "moody" around her heat cycle.

If you dont think she's had a heat cycle at all, take her to see the vet. She may have an infection or something that needs treated.

Answer 4

Get her spayed. Apart from the fact that male dogs will do whatever they can to get to unspayed females, you're risking her health. Unspayed females are very prone to mammary cancer and pyometra when older, so there is absolutely no reason not to protect her health by spaying.

She may well have had a heat (it is NOT the same as a human's 'period') without you noticing if she's outside most of the time. Get her sorted, get her to a vet.

Chalice

Answer 5

Not all female dogs have heavy periods, some have very light periods and you never know they have been in season, take her to see a vet if your not sure and see what he has to say.

Too many people answering questions on here know it all and some even give the wrong advice, but trust your vet

Answer 6

You should be alarmed that she is not fixed. Unless you can guarantee she will never come in contact with a male, she should be fixed. There are more than enough pets in shelters already.

Answer 7

Take care of your dog.