[Tom888]

From time to time I see people here suggesting others to study, learn pedigrees, bloodlines. I would for sure want to have more knowledge on this topic, to be able to find a litter (once my circumstances will allow me to do so), a puppy that satisfy my needs.

I know about the online databases, understand the most important parts (and can look up the rest when needed), but it is just what it is: a database, vast amounts of data structured based on the breedings. And even seeing and (kind of) understanding what I can see there I do not feel like I'm able to tell what can be expected from the litter of 2 specific dogs, or what are the dogs like themselves.

Now it would be easy to just look for litters or dogs with excellent background in their pedigree regarding hips, SchH, etc, for sure it can give me some information, but that is far from being sufficient to determine genetic predispositions for certain characteristics.

I'd like to ask you how one learns pedigrees, bloodlines, what to look for, how to recognize a good dam/sire pairing and how to make the important conclusions.

(I know every dog is different even within the same litter and that a lot depend on training and the dog's experience, but still I believe that the genetic material is the underlying foundation that plays an important role in whether one's going to have a dog he's happy with.)