i was told & read that you should wait untill the bitch has had at least * 3 * seasons before mating??
i have just studded my rough coat jr for the 1st time & i researched & researched for months before i decided i would do it,but omg no-one said how time consuming it would actualy be,because i chose that i would for the safety of both dogs to supervise the tie.i was watching for hours all 3 times i was knackered i can tell you as each tie last approx 30 mins so had to keep both dogs calm.But the bitch owner hadnt disclosed that she had several weeks earlier had an eye oporation & during the 3rd tie her eye started to bleed,well you can imagine i wasnt prepared for that one it was very nerve wracking i can tell you,so if you go into this be warned things do not always go as planned.
good luck