My beautiful lady has just experienced her first season at the age of 18 months.

Her breed is normally between 6 and 9 months for a first season and then approx. every 6-8 months thereafter. All of my other girls have always fallen within these parameters.

My question is: does the lateness of her first season dictate how she will ovulate thereafter. Is it possible that she will now ovulate consistently. or is she more likely to have a much larger gap in between her seasons?

I have the opportunity to use an amazing stud who will be retired from duties at the end of 2014. The stud owner is very selective, and the dog has been used very sparingly, so the fact that he is being offered to me is amazing. They compliment each other perfectly.My girl is not quite mature enough yet for her first litter, but I am now terrified that we will miss the opportunity because of timing.

Your thoughts and experience are gratefully received...

Personally I have never found there to be any connection between how old the bitch was at first season and how long she then goes in between each. The great majority of mine are around 14 months old for a first season but most of their littermates have been just 8 to 10 for some reason.

My toy breed had her first season at 14 months. That was 10 months ago and I am waiting for her second so I can get her spayed. On the one hand I am glad that it is taking its time as it means she will be older when she is finally done, but on the other hand I want to get it over and done with as I will be a wreck leading up to it and on the day.

I don't know that there is a hard and fast rule and you may just have to wait it out.    Generally I find that if the bitch is later coming into her first season there will be a longer gap between seasons than "the norm".  Not very helpful, sorry.    However , could you go to the owner of the stud and explain that you will have no idea when your girl will come into season again, that she is still too immature to mate this time round and ask if her dog will be available to you at her next season?   Hopefully, the fact that the stud owner has made it known to you he is available to your girl will stand you in good stead. 

I'd agree with Marianne.

My breed are generally 8 to 10 months old but my youngest was nearly a eyar old yet came back in season wihin 7 months.