I know all bitches are different, but what are people's experience on when a bitch is likely to lose her coat? I'm trying to plan shows for October, but how likely is it that my bitch will still have coat? She started her (first) season in the middle of June.
My older bitch had a very short 4.5 month old cycle and has since been spayed, and my other dogs are male, so I don't really have much experience of the coat cycle.

Most bitches will lose their coat after a season. They tend to have a full coat prior to and during one so that they look their best for the boys ;-)

Of course there will be the exception. :-)

Mine will usually loose their coats about two months before their next season, so as has been said they are in nice coat during their season.

Just before the next important show you enter, I would say..... ;-)

Just a quick question about shedding the coat, our bitch had a litter about 9 weeks ago and has completly dropped her top coat she looked moth eaten, she has been on top notch food throughout but how can we help to bring the coat back and how long will it be as we also want her back in the ring in about mid October.

Mine always look at their most terrible about 12 weeks after whelping.  It's why I keep bitches on puppy food until they look less like a cruelty case.

I think coated breeds do vary, and it depends on breed.

With my breed a bitch would not be remotely showable until a minimum of 4 1/2 months after having a litter and more likely when her own pups are about to make their show debuts at 6 months.

Basically if you take a litter then you loose that years showing.

I have entered my Lexi for Richmond (she may not be in coat yet) she hasn't been shown since Manchester.  She came in season February, had her pups first week of May, and looks pretty awful now.

I have a bitch who same into season about 14 weeks ago. Her coat looks like the collie's in the specsavers ad ;-) Hopefully her coat will now start coming in again. please :-p