My medium breed youngster is now 15 months and still no sign of her first season. Although I have had a number of bitches over the years I am sure I have had one this late. Anyone else experienced this late to reassure me.

I once had a bitch have her first season at 17 months , so may still be time . Her seasons were very irregular though and I chose never to breed from her but that was for other reasons.

My bitch had her first at 18 months, as did her dam

My girls are always late too then come in every 9-10 months after that

One of my bitches had her first season at 17 1/2 months and then her second 13 months later. I think there can be vast differences and they don't always follow the same cycle as their mother. Within the same litter some have been fairly early some a little later but mine was the last to have a first season.
I have heard of some bitches being nearly two years old before having a first season and have been mated on a second season and produced a healthy litter.
When you stop thinking about it, enter her in a show or decide to take her on holiday with you she will come into season !!! Sods Law.

Her Mum and her Mum before came in 1st averagely normal time and then perfect every 6 months. Mum had 2 litters 12 & 14 puppies. Hope she hasn't used up all the fertility in the line??

>Hope she hasn't used up all the fertility in the line??

I genuinely don't see that being the case.

My large breed often do not have a 1st season till 18 months, then they continue to have normal 6 monthly seasons after that.
Aileen

I have never been lucky enough to have a bitch go longer than 9 months before a first season *(range 6 - 8 months usually).  I'd think it great if they delayed having their first season until 18 months and would only be having their third by the time I wished to breed from them.

Each season they have negatively impacts on the uterus, which is why fertility generally declines in bitches as they age, (fewer good places for implantation and to maintain a pregnancy) and the risk of Pyometra increases.

Usually by the time I mate a bitch for the first time she is a minimum on her fourth season and often 5th or 6th.

That is a really interesting point to make.
Hopefully all is normal and I am being a bit impatient.