You're right Marshman, it was the old way but transport had a lot to do with it, or lack of transport.
Back in the day a lad in the next county could have a great terrier and you'd never hear of it but nowadays with motorways, ferries, the inter-net and folk keeping pedigrees (or saying that they do) it's easier to find a dog to complement your bitch breeding wise, IF, you know what you're looking for.
Have to admit, as seriously as I take breeding nowadays I used to get a kick out of listening to the old timers who were local to me (like your fathers mates would have been to you) and how co