04/11/2025
Let’s Talk About Sex…ual Maturity!
As our Juni x Fawkes 2024 Litter approaches 10 months old, I wanted to talk about some things our families might be seeing.
Our Severus from this litter is showing signs of being sexually mature. You might be seeing a shift in personality or an increase in undesirable behaviors. It doesn’t have to be permanent! Let’s get through this time together!
Alright, so when it comes to golden retrievers hitting sexual maturity, it’s kinda like when teenagers start acting… well, *extra*.
For females, they usually reach sexual maturity between **6 to 12 months**—that's when they go into their first **heat**. You’ll notice some signs like swelling around the v***a, a bit of bleeding or discharge, and a sudden interest in male dogs (and them in her). She might also act clingier or more moody than usual. This heat cycle usually lasts **2-4 weeks**, and it happens about every six months after that.
For males, they usually hit sexual maturity around **6 to 9 months**, but it can vary a bit. You’ll start to see behaviors like **marking territory**, trying to mount things (toys, pillows, sometimes your leg—yeah, awkward), and a stronger interest in female dogs, especially if they’re in heat.
**What you should do:**
- Talk to your vet about **spaying/neutering**, usually recommended for Golden Retrievers between 18-24 months, depending on your dog’s health and development. Studies have shown that waiting until this time can lead to better joint and bone health as they age. Though they may have reached sexual maturity, they aren’t quite done growing yet.
- **Keep an eye on behavior changes**—they might get a bit stubborn or distracted (thanks, hormones).
- **Be careful during walks** if your female is in heat or your male gets riled up easily. Females in heat can attract a parade of hopeful suitors from blocks away, and males might try to Houdini their way out of the yard. If you haven’t already, get your pet microchipped AND make sure you have registered it. A microchip is only as good as its registration. Microchips allow your dog to be indentified in the event that their collar or name tag has come off.
- Consider **training or reinforcing commands** during this time because their focus might dip a bit when hormones are doing their thing.
So yeah, it’s basically dog puberty—cute but also chaotic.
Always, always, always check-in and make decisions with your vet about the best care and treatment for your pets.
Reach out for support. We at Smiling Acre are a family and we are here for you. We want to hear all of the struggles, successes, joy, and frustrations…and of course we want to see those babies! Please feel free to contact us any time!
Hi! We are just a family located in Goldsboro, NC sharing our love for Golden Retrievers and all animals. Fresh Chicken Eggs Always Available!
