| Even from my inexperienced perspective, I think it's safe to say yes, she is entering her first heat.
This stage would be proestrus and typically lasts 7-9 days. Up next: estrus -where the bitch is receptive (mentally/physically) to copulation with the male. Estrus can last anywhere from 5-13 days. Other sources I've seen combine the window of the 2 cycles and estimate 4-21 days overall.
Consider her to be "in season" for 21 days: 7 days coming into heat (where she is now), 7 days in heat, and 7 days going out of heat, with the middle 7 days having the highest probability of conception.
A bitch will typically come into season twice in a year (but not always).
As far as special care goes, I'm not sure if she needs special food while in season or not, but if she's already eating quality food, I wouldn't think so.
IMHO, the most important thing you can do, is be very very very careful over the next 2 weeks to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Accidents can happen. I'm sure you will be careful.
Next, look into having her spayed asap. Once she is spayed, you won't have to worry about her coming into season, how long it will last and how many times a year it will happen.
I don't mean to sound harsh, or tell you what to do with your Dobe, but since you havn't done your research by now to recognize this as her first heat, I hope you weren't planning on producing any litters by her. If you're not planning on breeding, I think having her altered would be the best way to go. |