Quote:
Originally Posted by bande1102
What I would like to know is how to trace the lineage of the dogs that the breeder plans to breed and then how to evaluate that. How do you research which lineage is the healthiest? Do you just keep asking around? Who? The breeders? Does anyone have sample questions that you'd ask the breeder? My goal is to get a healthy, long-lived giant breed and personality is a huge, huge factor. I mean, I know there aren't any guarantees, but I definitely want to up my chances of getting a sweet companion who can spend many years with me.
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These are issues that require one to have or be motivated to have an understanding of how to read pedigrees, and nose for research -- and also understanding of issues in human social issues among other things. Personality of a dog however can have different definitions and can be a bit random, aside from the wiring that is typical of certain bloodlines and breeds. I'm not sure if your question is rhetorical but I will give a response that generally follows the schema that I use and what I general advise to those that seek mentoring.
One way to begin your research is to find persons that already have your breed - they could be pet owners, working dog folk, show folk and/or dog breeders. Meet them at dog training clubs, therapy dog groups and at some of the scenarios you hope to be involved in with your dog. Many breeders rarely breed so they may not even be advertising that they ever have puppies since it can sometimes take years before they have a litter, and in some cases, the puppies are presold. So some of them you will only discover by word of mouth. Sometimes people with a different breed will have some tips to help you get started. Write to the national breed club for your breed and they may be able to provide a list of breeders. Some of the less common dogs might not be available in driving distance but you can still work on the pedigree aspects.
To begin-
Learn about vertical pedigrees because this is where much of your work will be consolidated and your notetaking will develop body for various sources of dogs. Here is one article that is pretty helpful: http://www.offa.org/hovanart.pdf (broken link)
Vertical Pedigrees [what they are]
Traditional pedigrees expand horizontally; that is, they are read from left to right with relatively few dogs appearing at the far left and increasing to the predominant number of ancestors listed to the right. Although the dogs to the left (the sire, dam, and grandparents) most directly impact the resulting offspring, there are only six of these contributing data on this type of pedigree. That is a small sampling of the relevant information that may actually be available. While many additional dogs are named on the right side of the page, these more distantly related dogs are less significant genetically than are those on the left.
Do download the article and take a look at the way pedigrees are laid out, as that will be the general format you use. (there is pedigree software that can also be helpful for those who do a lot of pedigree research).
Use of vertical and horizontal pedigree will help you map out the consistency of traits important to you. In some cases, new owners may not have much info to go on other than their ONE dog. That's not a representative number but do pay attention to what they say. Some of it may be 'way out there' but some of it will help you build on reliable data.
From these people you meet or talk to online and real life, try and get copies of pedigrees. Three generation at least is preferred. Get or take a picture of the dog that the pedigree is for and the parents if possible. Take pictures from the side of the dog, so you don't end up with weird angles or nose leather at ridiculous resolutions. If you can, see the dogs in real life. Take note of their behavior as well, ask about how much training they have had. Ask the owner or caretaker what they like or don't like about Dog A, compared to Dog B and other dogs. Take notes. Ask about the oldest dogs they've had in the breed and the most common problem that THEY have had with dogs in the breed. Keep in mind that much of this material will be opinion, and some of it may have little to do with longevity or health, but it is a path toward knowing more about the people and the dogs in the breed you are researching.
Ask the person as well, the names or whatever they can remember about littermates of different dogs in the branches of the pedigree. Full siblings will carry traits from the same line, so the person's opinion on why some of the dogs in a litter are considered to be pets and why others are working or show dogs add to your growing impression of a given line.
Some opinions will be wrong, some will be clueful and but all of these tips help you learn more about the breed and tip you off about certain misconceptions and other issues.
You may like a certain look or you may want to get a dog to use in agility. You may just want a very high quality pet. But as much as possible, leave no stone unturned. Take notes. I have a hard time keeping track of names myself but once they are written down, I do pretty good. Find out how old dogs were when they gained their titles if they have any, and if they were bred, which of their progeny have the same or different traits.
Keeping in mind the concept of vertical pedigree, you will get a better idea of which lines tend to produce which trait. Also keep in mind that litters are not necessarily inbred. For example in the dalmatian study I quoted previously, you can see that dals from one end of the country have a different rate of incidence for some trait. What happens when you bring two clear dogs together can be a bit of a crap shoot sometimes, but if other traits in the pedigrees are pretty consistent and there is good depth of pedigree (progeny, parents, grandparents) as well as vertical pedigree (good qualities in all/
most of the litter of each dog in the pedigree), you are well along to finding your best chance of success.
Take your pedigrees and go online to the OFA database and other health testing sites. Enter the name of the ancestors of the dogs in your pedigree and take note of the prefixes (kennel names) and other details of the dogs which have certifications. Take notes and see which bloodlines have the most research done on them. In the case of people who have neutered pets in the bloodline, be aware that sometimes orthopedic, temperamental issues, and osteosarcoma and other such issues may run higher in those dogs.
Secondary effects of neutering can actually alter genetic potential, so if you are planning to use a dog in agility for example, you might get a well bred dog, allow it to mature before neutering.
When you find a breeder that seems to have dogs strong in the pedigrees you admire, ask them about longevity in their dogs and if they have noticed any issues that differ between unneutered dogs and those that are. By this point you will have a lot of questions and will probably be able to come up with many things to ask. Breeders who seems suspicious or are unable to share much with you initially may just need to know from someone you mutually know with a friend that has one of their dogs or related, what your intentions may be.
Hopefully some of this information can help you. I do generally feel that while adopting dogs from rescue is a great thing, so much current information is focused on the promotion of dogs from unknown backgrounds, that it can be very difficult for someone starting out, to get an idea on how to research their breed.
I think researching can be both enlightening and frustrating. People will always say that so and so is secretive or just gossips about someone else. Keep a professional attitude. That will help you gain respect. In the end, you learn a lot about the dogs and the people that own them and have a more realistic idea on where to find the sort of dog you want. This isn't as comprehensive as it could be but it is a start.
Good luck.
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Questions to ask a breeder
I am sure there is one sitting there waiting for you! Not only will you be saving alot of time searching, but you will be saving a life at the same time! 
Not only will you leave the shelter with a wonderful pet, but a wonderful feeling in your heart! That wonderful pet will thank you for the rest of its life, because you gave it one! For this you will be guaranteed!
