Breeding dogs has been a passion for people through many centuries. Part art, part science, and total devotion, breeding will show you all the best in the human-and-dog bond. It is exciting and challenging. Breeding purebred dogs is also time consuming, expensive, and occasionally heartbreaking. If you go forward, your underlying purpose should be to improve the breed, not just increase its numbers.

Breeding a litter should begin with knowledge. Responsible breeders devote time to learning as much as they can about their breed, about canine health, training, and about American Kennel Club rules.

Every dog is the best dog in the world to its owner. Responsible breeders, however, know to avoid "kennel blindness". In other words, they take a step back and honestly evaluate the good and bad points of their dogs before making the decision to breed. The goal of breeding, after all, is to produce a better dog and a quality pet.

Examine your dog carefully. Recognize its flaws. If you decide to continue with the breeding process, look for a mate that will eliminate or balance those flaws. One of the best ways to get an objective opinion of your dog is to test it against others. Consider attending a dog show to determine how your dog measures up against the best specimens of its breeds.

Raising puppies is a full-time job. During the first couple of weeks, the dam normally takes care of the puppies' needs, but complications, such as a dam with no mild or an orphaned littler, may arise. It is the breeder's responsibility to provide a safe, warm, dry place for the puppies, and proper food and water for the bitch.

Puppies are even more work (and more fun!) when they are weaned. The extra feeding, cleanup, grooming, training, and veterinary care adds up to a lot of hours - and not much free time for you.

Another factor that you must consider is the financial cost of having a litter of puppies. From the genetic screening and health tests before breeding, to the extra food, supplies, and medical care required after the puppies are born, the cost of whelping and raising puppies can be very high, especially if complications arise.