>>Breeders are under attack by animal rights activists, without much distinction<<
But there should be.
There is a huge difference between a person like the OP who has a few litters a year and will not breed if she cannot sell the last litter, and the horrendous puppy mills.
A huge difference.
Oh, I agree with you, but PETA, et al, see it differently. By breeding you are adding to an already over-supplied pet stock relegating many animals to terrible conditions or euthanasia. So, to them it does not really matter how you treat the dogs you breed as the act of breeding is reprehensible.