How long does a dog stay in heat?

On average, female dogs go into heat twice a year. It is possible for a heat cycle to last from a few days to a month. Most female dogs go through this stage for 12 to 21 days.

For a certain period during this cycle, male dogs will be very attracted to female dogs. While it is possible for female dogs to get pregnant during their first heat cycle, it is best to hold off until the dog is older as a 6-month old dog’s body is not yet equipped for pregnancy. Complications may arise.