Overview
The canine heat cycle includes proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Breeders do not need to turn every cycle into a science fair, but they do need to understand what stage they are seeing and what that means for timing and management.
What breeders watch for
- Start date of bleeding or first clear sign of cycle
- Vulvar swelling and discharge changes
- Flagging or standing behavior
- Male interest and female response
- Any testing results used for timing
Why records matter
Cycle patterns help with future planning, identifying irregularities, and coordinating breedings. Memory is a terrible database.
Practical note
Good cycle records reduce both missed opportunities and unnecessary drama.