Has your puppy reached sexual maturity? If you want to understand your dog’s sexual needs, you need to understand their heat cycle. If you have a female Cane Corso, you are probably wondering how long does a Cane Corso period last?
Cane Corso mastiff dogs experience their first heat between 10 and 12 months. As we will see later on, large dog breeds have a different heat cycle than small dog breeds.
You can expect significant changes in your female Cane Corso’s behavior, habits, and even physical characteristics during the period.
Breed Overview
The Cane Corso is an Italian Mastiff breed. There are extremely large, weighing up to 100+ pounds. Cane Corso Italiano is a smart canine. You can easily train them. You have to remember though, they have strong protective instincts.
According to the American Kennel Club, these dogs are among the best guarding dogs.
Yet, despite their guard dog instincts, they can be amazing companions when trained and socialized properly.
Cane Corso Origin
To understand the temperament of your Cane Corso dog, you need to look at its origin. These dogs descend from Roman war dogs, and they are classified as guard dogs. Back in the day, they were used to guard property and animals.
These big and bulky dogs have since then been trained and socialized to be pets around the home. They love children, and will be amazing companions in the home.
But you have to invest a lot of time and effort into training your Cane Corso puppy. Because of their large size, they are always a threat.
At What Age Do Female Cane Corso Go Into Heat?
Now let’s talk a bit about the heat cycle and sexual maturation of the Cane Corso breed. A female Cane Corso will experience bouts of heat period at 10 to 12 months of age.
Yet, it is not the time to breed them. While your female dog might get its first period at 12 months, it is better to wait about 18 months before breeding them.
Cane Corso Health Risks
If you want to breed Cane Corso dogs, or get one, you have to look at the breed health status. As large dogs, they are prone to several health risks and concerns. One of them is hip dysplasia, a condition that affects most large breeds.
Besides hip dysplasia, they are also prone to eye problems, skin issues, bloating, and entropion. Proper screening can ensure healthy lineage and genetics.
If you get a Cane Corso puppy, make sure to look at the health history of the parents.
How Long Does Their Period Last?
We are now at the main question. And that is, how long does a Cane Corso period last? Well, it depends. Usually, though, the period of a female Cane Corso puppy lasts between 0 and 21 days. They will bleed for the first 11 days.
After that, they will not bleed, but their period still lasts. It is still possible to breed them, and they still have a scent that male dogs will sense.
Spraying can help with period, as sprayed dogs do not have their period.
Can you smell a female Cane Corso in Heat?
People do not have as strong sniffing sense as dogs. While you probably cannot sniff a female dog in heat.
On the other hand, a male dog will smell and sense a female in heat. Females, no matter the breed, give off pheromones when they are in heat. This is what attracts male dogs.
Signs Of Dogs In Heat
While you cannot smell a female Cane Corso in heat, you can definitely notice other signs your dog is in its period. Bleeding is the most obvious sign.
But there are other signs that your dog might exhibit even before the bleeding. For starters, dogs before heat, and during heat, have to urinate more often than before.
Another physical sign you can notice is the vulva of your puppy is large, red, or swollen. There will be some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge.
Now, dogs do not bleed during their full period. Of the total cycle, they bleed 7 to 10 days. Generally, bigger dogs bleed more than smaller dogs.
And when your female dog is in heat, you will notice she will be overly friendly with other dogs, seek out male dogs, mount or hump, or turn her tail to the side.
Does The Size Make a Difference?
Yes, the period depends on your dog’s size. A small dog might go into heat at 6 months of age. Big dog breeds, like the Cane Corso, do not go into heat before they turn 10 months of age. Some might go into their first heat at 18 months of age.
Now, even though a dog in heat is old enough to get pregnant, you have to look at other factors. A young dog’s eggs are not fully matured. It is recommended to wait until the second cycle before you breed them to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
How Often Do Dogs Go Into Heat?
Now that we discussed how long a Cane Corso period lasts, let’s talk about how often it happens. Similar to start time, the frequency of the estrus depends on the size, breed, and age.
Female dogs that have not been sprayed, go into heat twice a year, every 6 months. Each heat cycle lasts between 18 and 21 days. The frequency of the estrus cycle should be consistent. If the frequency is not consistent, talk to your vet.
Now, as your dog gets older, the frequency may slow down. But they will go into heat their entire life. Unlike people, there is no menopause.
What To Expect Of The First Heat?
As we said before, Cane Corso dogs go into their first heat usually at 8 or 10 months of age. But you should start preparing at 6 months of age. Some signs will tell you that your puppy has hit her puberty stage.
For starters, they will become anxious. And once your dog becomes anxious for no reason, you know it is time for puberty and the first period.
The first period will be large, and you should have some panties around if you do not want blood all over your home. Expect your dog to urinate more often than before as well.
