One thing about putting him to a bitch now, is that he hasnt proved himeslf as a worker, but, against that argument, there have been loads of dogs that have proved themselves in the field of work, or the show ring, that threw duds. Also, how many bull terriers and collies have killed 100 hares or 1000 rabbits, and these get constantly used for breeding lurchers.
I have mainly kept bitches, but also the occaisional male, I get these into stud work as soon as I can..Lurchers a year, and my youngest ever male deerhound was lining bitches at 15 month..he proved himself as a worker after proving