I am guessing 9 and wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy litter. Mama is beautiful and looks great.
(as far as the breeding discussion goes, I have had BYB pups, strays and even show dogs. The show dogs were a dream of mine, so I called the breed's contact person, asked all my 'researchy' questions, was told she was expecting 2 litters - show dog parents, health tested, yadda yadda, yadda. I paid my very hard earned deposit and waited for my pup. After all was said and done, I got a dog that did't work, showed fairly well and growled at me. I found out after the fact that this well known, 'respected' breeder with all the flashy mag ads and so forth had a huge problem with aggression in her bloodlines (well, not hers, but the dogs she bred lol). She placed that pup and an older finished male with me and I had toddlers at the time. No mention was ever made about the aggressive tendencies untill I called regarding the growling incident. I then found out that what didn't show well was placed and or euthanised and what did show well was bred, regardles of temperment/working ability. They were all health tested, the mother of my pup even produced OFA excellent pups, etc. I met the mother, she was a charmer, but the male line that she was using was extremly aggressive, but very flashy.
I now am happily sharing my life with a mildly displaystic mixed bred Border Collie/Kelpie that I adore and who adores me. I do own 3 more well bred working Kelpies, and a BYB BC. I love them all. I will not breed them although, I really, really want to produce some great pups someday, as of right now, that's not in the cards.I am disappointed, but if you can raise these pups and allow me to live vicariously through their growing, weaning and placing, I would be most grateful.
Long live the devoted, loving hobby breeder!