In domestic dogs, sexual maturity begins to happen around age six to twelve months for both males and females, although this can be delayed until up to two years old for some large breeds. This is the time at which female dogs will have their first estrous cycle. They will experience subsequent estrous cycles biannually, during which the body prepares for pregnancy. At the peak of the cycle, females will come into estrus, being mentally and physically receptive to copulation. Because the ova survive and are capable of being fertilized for a week after ovulation, it is possible for a female to mate with more than one male. COUNT 4
QSN1 How many times per year do female dogs go into heat? ANS1 two QSN2 What does going into heat (estrous) prepare a female dog for? ANS2 pregnancy. QSN3 Some larger breeds could take how long to become sexually mature? ANS3 two years QSN4 What does a female dog experience at sexual maturity? ANS4 first estrous cycle