@brianpoppee:
so I would need to find a dog that has a full 4 generations that have all health testing done? Even the best pedigrees I have look at do not have all of this?
It would be nice to have that… and yes you most likely will not find it.. but you want to make sure that at least hips have been done and eye tests. You want to see how many siblings you can find that have tests done....
And really if you want to get into showing and maybe breeding, then you should find yourself a mentor... that will take you under their wing... teach you about the breed, pedigrees, importance of health testing...
From a responsible breeder you will have a hard time buying outright, IMO. I will not place a pup without co-ownership if they will not be spay/neutered. But then again, my price is no different for a show or pet and the contract is pretty straight forward with the requirements....
As far as if you got a show prospect are they a breeding prospect?.. Depends on the pup.. each needs to be evaluated at the time you want to breed as to "what do they have to offer the breed?"... Not only conformation, but health, temperament, etc.... Certainly Fanconi, Eyes, Hips, Elbows, Thyroid, Patellas should be tested...