Firstly Pupman, I think you're a bloody legend for coming on here and asking informed questions so that you make the right decision.
Apart from the obvious `PLEASE don't do it' advice I have, I know they're your friends and you trust them, but it's soooo easy to say, `Yeah of course I'll have a puppy from you' and then turn around and say `well, ahh, I know I SAID I would, but you know, the time's just not right, sorry' and then before you know it you have a litter on your hands that are most likely to end up at a shelter.
Friends who won't have a rescue dog because they only `want one like yours or not at all' are friends who are going to turn around and say `well, it's not like yours after all so I don't want it anymore'. They don't want a dog for the right reasons - a dog is a companion, a living, breathing creature that needs care and love and LOTS and LOTS of attention - it's not an accessory, which is how it sounds with your friends.
Also, for you personally - are you comfortable giving up one of your puppies to people who have no interest (apparently) in dog welfare, but just `want one that looks like yours'?
Do not rely on what people say - I'm not dissing your friends here, as I don't know them, but it just doesn't sound right to me.
As for you - you already know in your heart that you should not be breeding this dog - you said yourself that you came on here for someone to talk you out of it. So, I'm doing my best to talk you out of it. DON'T do it - as Steve said, why don't you foster a litter from a shelter - that way you'll get everything you want and you'll be helping some of the poor, homeless puppies in the world, too. Puppies that no doubt started out as an idea in someone's head - like yours - and then the reality ended up being too much, and bang, another six lives thrown away.
Just remember, creating life is not something to be taken lightly - once born, those puppies are your responsibility FOR EVER. Despite where and how you may home them. YOU made them, YOU are responsible for them - do you think you can do that? And do you want their lives on your conscience for the 12-14 years that they will live? As well as all the puppies that may result from them, if you give them to people with the same idea as you?
If you are happy to spend `thousands' as you say, give it to a rescue - goodness knows they need the money more than they'll need another six or seven puppies born into an already overpopulated and unforgiving world.