Brucellosis testing is often required when the breeder goes outside their own breeding animals and uses an outside stud. It does not need to be done. It is something breeders do to protect their animals from outside infections. It is a simple blood test, and not something you need to consult a vet for. You can take the dog to the vet clinic and tell them you want the dog tested for brucellosis and they draw the blood, send it out, and relay the results.
Testing for genetic diseases is often done at a specialist or a different vet who is known to throw good prints. Again, it is not something you consult your vet for. You go to the clinic and say that you want them to do OFA Hips, Elbows, Thyroid, Cardiac, etc. The vet does not tell you what you should test for, they will show you the x-rays and give the opinion and then give their projection for what the OFA will say. But this should definitely be done prior to the bitch being in heat.
Once the bitch is in heat, there is no need to consult a veterinarian at all. If it makes you feel better, you can call your vet and let them know when your bitch is likely to whelp. If you suspect issues, you can do progesterone testing to pin point the exact time of ovulation. But don't rely on anything.
You can do all that, and then after your bitch is definitely having issues, and you call to say you are bringing her in, THEN they tell you the vet that can do the surgery is out of town. So you have to scramble anyway.
And, you can go back and back and back for progesterone testing. And when the date of the C-section comes up, you call to set it up, and your vet then tells you they need more progesterone testing. The one vet said, they do not ovulate all at once -- well, that isn't what Dr. Hutch says -- 12 hours. Seems they did not continue to test until she ovulated, but only until she had one of her surges, and then MOST bitches will ovulate within.... So you go back and go back, for more progesterone testing, and you STILL have to scramble at the end and go to the other place for the C-section because your vet still isn't certain about the timing.
I would have been better off, leaving the vet totally out of it, and just going off the the farther place when labor started -- she needs c-sections.
And if there is no reason to think the bitch will need a c-section, you can do all the progesterone testing. But it is unnecessary.
The breeding to whelping process, as well as the raising of puppies can all be done without the help or consultation of the vet. And if there is a problem, then no amount of consulting a vet in advance is going to chance the fact that you need a vet now. If there is a problem, you need a vet.
To determine whether the bitch is pregnant or the number of pups, you need to go to the vet. This is not necessary. Many breeders swear by it though. Other breeders think that the testing and stress and exposure is harmful. If the bitch is pregnant, she will whelp or she will show signs of trouble, at which time, they will x-ray, they will ultra-sound, they will do progesterone testing if you take her to the right place.
Should a breeder have a working relationship with a vet to go into a breeding program? Why? Are vets suddenly knowledgeable about specific breeds, their lines and their genetics? Are they experts about which animals should be bred and which should not. If I told you some of the stuff vets have told me, like -- well, yes we could x-ray her hips, but you can tell she doesn't have a problem, having the hips x-rayed only means you can ask more for the puppies. Yeah, No. The vet is not one that you need a working relationship with to go into a breeding program. To own a pet -- yes, good idea. Good idea if they accept that you are somewhat knowledgeable, but not for breeding advice.