I have been a breeder for a few years, having said that I don't breed very often or to fill puppy orders.
I am one of those people that stresses over breeding and do a tremendous about mount of research all the time.
A litter is planned years in advance first by locating the perfect stud dog for my bitch.
Dr. Hutchinson DVM is consider to be one of the leading authorities on breeding, research for any articles he has written or books.
http://www.northviewvet.com/robhutchison.html
Another excellent source is Breeding Better Dogs, tons of excellent information on this site.
http://breedingbetterdogs.com/
It is my understanding that it is recommended that maiden bitches should be bred for the first time between 3-5 yrs to lower the risk to her and the pups.
I absolutely agree that all breeding dogs must be tested for the various inherited diseases and conditions that plague each and every breed.
Breeding can be riddled with a bunch of heartache and more work than you can imagine to raise healthy well adjusted, socialized puppies.
A person has to be prepared to take at least a couple of weeks off from work, 1 week for sure just to be on whelping watch. A second week to ensure that momma and pups are ok. Once you get them past that stage, things often go ok but not always. Worst case, you have to be prepared to loose wages (and not **** off a boss) for 2-3 wks.
My last litter (last fall) cost me over $6,000 and I was happy to come close to breaking even when I found the pups new wonderful homes. I also only bred to keep a puppy for myself first and foremost.
Why so much money to produce that litter?
$500.00 in health clearances that a regular vet can't do.
$500.00 for pre-breeding vet checks and progesterone testing on my girl.
$1000.00 Stud fee.
$500.00 for loss of wages while I took my girl almost $600 miles each way to be bred.
$700.00 for fuel, hotel and meals
$200.00 ultrasounds and xrays to confirm pregnancy and number of puppies (2 ultrasounds, 1 x-ray)
$200.00 for whelping supplies.
$1300.00 for C-section
$100.00 extra a month in food for my lactating bitch (her food demands increases 3-4 x's or more (depending on her milk supply and the number of pups) while nursing.
$200 + for food once the pups started eating
$300.00 for an emerg vet visit with one puppy.
$400.00 for vet check and first vac's.
$300.00 + for microchipping puppies.
I have my own business that I work from home, therefore no boss to **** off, but I did reduce my work load for the week prior to whelping and for the pups first 3 weeks. So that did cost me and I have not included that in the list. But add another $1000.00
I have a small breed (jrts) expect some of the expenses to be greatly higher with a larger breed.
It is also very difficult to find great homes (or homes period) for the pups or get a reasonable price for them (price depends on demand and what the breeder has invested into the litter). EVERYONE says they want a puppy when you are preparing to breed or have a litter coming. Many people are dropped from my list for various reasons. Others back out because the timing isn't right for them, money isn't there, they don't have time for a puppy at that time or they really were not serious in the first place.
Finding great homes can be hard if there are a lot of puppies available in the breeders area esp if they are very cheap. That isn't the case for me, my dogs have a very good reputation and yet it is still hard to find the perfect homes.