Lots of things need to be considered: both parent dogs' strong points, weak points, temperaments, pedigrees. Some genetic problems only show up when two dogs both carry the same gene breed; do you know if there are genectic defects in your bitch's or in the stud's line?  Or if breeding these two dogs together will produce the defect? Also take a look into both perspective parents' litter mates.   Did every puppy in that litter conform to the standards of the breed??  Please look at the American Kennel Club standard for your breed, and the pictures there...the parents should look like that.  Do they? You wouldn't want the terrible guilt of bringing sick puppies into the world, would you?  By the way did you know dogs can have sexually transmitted diseases????

3) The cost !!

Oh my !! The average cost of whelping and raising a HEALTHY Bouvier litter to 9 weeks of age is about $750.00 per puppy for a litter of 8 healthy puppies (this cost can go up quickly if you have any problems). This works out to $6,000.00 and includes the basics: genectic testing, stud fee, first shots, worming, ear cropping, tails docking, dew claws done. And then there are the  supplies: whelping heat pads, a whelping box, milk replacer, nipples, food for the puppies, vitimins for the bitch ,veterinarian prenatal care for the bitch. And of course the additional veterinarian expenses if your if your bitch needs a c-section, or veterinarian care if something is wrong with a puppy. Or heaven forbid, you lose your bitch in whelp!  And the time it takes to take care of a litter & the brood bitch. You can't leave them alone after whelp with mom for, at the very least, the first week for fear she might kill them, eat them, or lay on them.

4) The dangers.

Have you thought about the fact you could lose your beloved family pet ? ...complications while whelping puppies can & does cause death in far too many bitches, mostly due to inexperienced breeders not recognizing signs that their girl is in trouble. Or how about dead puppies? retained pups? infections?  All things to consider.

5) I've heard it said many times "Oh, having puppies will be GREAT for the kids!! "

I'm here to tell you no it won't . Birth is messy,gross, and painful, not to mention the horror they'd see if Fluffy died, or if she had a grossly deformed puppy. You want your kids to see a birth? YOU have the baby & let the kids watch that! or better yet, go rent the video "The Miracle of Life"

6) You think you might make some extra money?

Not hardly, selling puppies is not a good way to make money. Most breeders lose money on their litters.  Buyers back out and you get stuck with the unwanted puppies.  Pups get sick.  Entire litters get sick.  The bitch ends up needing a c-section.  Somtimes mom won't nurse them or doesn't have enough milk.   So you get to spend lots of time feeding puppies every two hours.  Breeding should ONLY be done for betterment of the breed, not to make money.

7) Think about spaying or neutering your pet, it really does make a happier, healthier pet.

No chance of uterine , ovarian, testicular, or prostrate cancer.  No poor unloved, doomed-to-die puppies. Neutering makes male dogs less likely to roam & get hurt. Spaying means no messy heat cycles with whining, crying, unneutered males ruining your shrubs, lawns, and possibly attempting to break into your house..

I hope this gives you something to think about.