Thanks everyone with all the excellent answers to the many questions I've had when raising my first litter. I've had dogs all my life, and owned two popular champion stud dogs but have never actually had a bitch in whelp. The last puppy left today, apart form the little girl I'm keeping. I found this forum excellent and invaluable during a very stressful time :)  I wouldn't do it again though and I admire all you dedicated breeders out there. The sheer work, effort, mess and expense then the trauma of my babies leaving home was just too much! Many thanks again, Jane 

i know how you feel! my last baby left today as well!  and we didnt keep any. they all went to good homes but i only hope they lavish as much care and attention on the babes as we did-- i even feel that i may have spoilt them. mum is wandering around and keeps whining and giving the odd howl-she had definately had enough of them but i think she still wonders where they are. i think she might have me up tonight.
i may do it once more but i will need at least a year to recover- i knew it would be hard work but was harder than i thought- rearing my kids was easier!!!

I know how you feel one of my pups goes on Tuesday and still not sure about keeping the other one, although we are keeping her for a bit longer to see how she progresses.  Every time I shed a tear as they go and always take photo's of them and their new owners as they leave.

It's great now that we have the use of e-mails and the internet as it makes things more accessible and I get more frequent updates on how my dogs are doing.

It is hard work but seeing them years later and how well they've grown up and the joy that they've given to their families certainly makes it worth it in the end.

I think its by far the hardest part of breeding is giving your babies away . Our first pup to go :( went on sunday to a fab family :D But it was just so sad to see him go . Give me nights up and belive me there was alot of those
( hand reared them all)  and hard work any day over letting my pups go .  Id rather have all my pups over the money anyday and We actully dident make any :P but sadly I dont have the room for 8 more :D Its been lovely Ive enjoyed it all dispite having alot of worrying moments and lack of sleep . would I have another litter ...humm Its been a really great exsp I love all my pups to death but very very hard work , Give me a couple of years and I might say yes :)