How many is too much.

Question
I have a 4 year old 75lb female black lab that just finished a 3rd litter. I had to assist in helping her deliver nearly every pup with this last litter of 9. I'm thinking of making this her last litter because it maybe being just too much for her too handle. Is this common with some deliveries? Could she still handle another litter?

Answer
Most reputable breeders do not do more than 2-3 litters with the same bitch.  They also do not breed their girls back to back nor before they are 2 years old, so something isn't jiving with me in regards to the age of your bitch and the # of litters.

Having to help has nothing to do with it.  Most reputable breeders actually assist with the entire whelping process.  The last thing I want when having a litter of puppies is for mom not to take the placenta off quick enough or to have her bite the cord too low and risk losing a puppy since I have spent quite a bit of money on clearances and stud fees to lose even one puppy.

It would be very irresponsible to breed this bitch again.