For Golden Retrievers, this typically occurs before they are one year of age. Most veterinarians recommended spaying before your pup is 6 months of age. However, for Golden Retrievers, this recommendation has now changed to 18 months.

Signs Your Golden Is In Heat

• Swollen vulva.
• Bleeding or discharge.
• Excessive licking of the genital area.
• Frequent urination.
• Abnormal mounting behavior.
• Increased movement caused by nervousness or alertness.
• Nesting behavior.
• Personality changes – more affectionate, clingier, playful.

Heat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and you’ll know the cycle is over when all her vulva returns to its normal size and there’s no more bleeding or discharge.

YES! Most people are under the impression that once a dog is in heat, you have to wait until she is done the cycle before she can be spayed. Many vets will spay a dog while she is in heat, though many will recommend against it due to the risk of serious complications.

Technically there’s no limit to how many times a male dog can sire a litter. Responsible breeders wait at least a day between breedings as breeding every day can affect the quality and quantity of the sperm. Some breeders will wait up to six to eight weeks to ensure a healthy and successful breeding.

Golden Retriever Litter Size A typical Golden Retriever litter can have anywhere from four to 12 puppies. It is typically for a female Golden Retriever’s first litter to be smaller than later litters.

Most responsible breeders will also skip one heat cycle between each litter and have the female examined to ensure she is healthy before breeding again. They also rarely breed a female over 8 years of age. So basically a normal dog will have about 6 litters. Golden retrievers normally have 6-10 puppies.