Bitches deffo mature quicker then dogs I've got a young dog in my kennels I wont start him til hes nearly 2 be next season for him loyal dog but daft as a brush,best bitches I've had all started early had 1 bitch I used to take out digging was showing her foxes at 6 month she was getting stuck in 11 month old killed her 1st on her own never looked back sadly she was killed would of made a real good bitch but wasnt meant to be