Hi folks,I'm really worried about my 14month old GSD female,as I have yet to see her come into any kind of noticeable heat cycle.I questioned my vet months ago and he said some dogs especially the larger ones can take a while.She is 14 mo. and around 80lbs,but I don't know if that makes a difference or not.I also heard that sometimes the first heat can be barely noticeable.I walk her daily and all my neighbors have male dogs and I would think they would have noticed even if I did'nt.Any way we have an appointment this coming week to have her checked out but I'm wondering if anyone else has ever had a similiar situation? Now for my second question.I'm still rather knew to the GSD breed and a breeder in my area uses these lines in their breeding stock (Grim Pohranicni Straze, Jipo-Me,and Congo Vikar)they say these are world class dogs,but I just know that the dogs,titles,and pedigrees look impressive.Any comments,yeas or nays on these lines would be appreciated as I'm seriously considering putting a deposit on an upcoming litter.Thanks.

if you were not watching her very very carefully you could have missed it. have you ever heard of a silent heat - - she may have gone through this.my bitch is just now coming out of her 1st heat cycle at 9 & 1/2 months, and i had been watching her very close for several months and then i noticed her swelling.seems like the 1st heat cycle is almost the most difficult to catch. usually after the 3rd cycle you have a pattern that has been established (time wise inbetween cycles) in my opinion.as you are doing ask for more opinions and perhaps get another vet to check her or be watching her to come in season before to long.

Thanks A.Byrd,hopefully you're right and I just missed it.Any other opinions anyone?

efc, you need to change your displayed name to your full real name. This is the new board policy.

The new rule is posted very clearly at the top of the forum home.

BTW, what breeder are you talking about that uses those lines?

First off you need to change your name to your REAL first and last name to continue to post on this BB.

Second, Ask your breeder how the mother cycled. Sometimes this late start runs in lines and that may help to figure her out. With shepherds and most other coated breeds, the blowing of their coat should give you a heads up to be checking things out.

Or, you could always buy a male to let you know when she is in... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Umm, Deanna,
Could you ship me that nice SchH II Czech bitch that you got when she comes in season? I'd like to see if my male would let me know that she's in season! *grin*