If you want to perpetuate an entire line of quality dogs, you must select only the dogs who will help you reach that goal. Breeding dogs are tools in our toolbox which we use for our project. An OEB breeders project should be breeding top quality OEB's that raise the bar of the breed and better the next generation. Therefore, as a breeder, you must know what good/bad traits your dogs posess, how they will affect your line, and breed according to that knowledge.The dogs you select, will be what you produce. The dogs you breed, will be what you produce. Not very often do you breed subpar dogs and get exceptional offspring. Not very often do you breed exceptional dogs and get subpar offspring. As Brian Miller explained in his post about x-raying hips on dogs, if a dog has some area where it is lacking, that doesnt mean you need to scrap the dog from your program. Learn what you can and cannot work with. Learn how to breed through the issues. Im not saying breed your dog with demodex, or entropion. What I am saying is not every flaw should be a fatal one. A breeder who knows their pedigree, dogs, and bloodlines well will be able to easily determine which flaws are ok to work through, and which flaws must remove dogs from the breeding plan.
Decide what kind of dog you want to produce, and use only dogs who can help you produce what you're after. Don't settle for just any animal because they're available. Choose wisely, make informed moves.
There should be specific testing and specific requirements for every dog within your program. If the dog does not meet these requirements, it should not be allowed in your program. Do not select a breeding dog based on easy things. (Dont breed because of its bloodline, color, size, etc). The dog makes the dog, not the bloodline, color, or head size.
Also, another question breeders must ask themselves when evaluating breeding stock is: does this dog produce better than itself? If a dog is not capable of breeding better than itself, how can it help you to raise the bar? How can it help provide you with a better generation?
You get what you work for. If you want great dogs, you must select and breed for great dogs.
The best way to do this in my opinion is to have a clear, defined goal within your breeding program. Have a blueprint. Know where you want to be in the next 2 years. A running back with no endzone to run to plays a pointless game. Get the ball in your hands, keep your eyes on the goal line, and dont let anybody or anything stop you from reaching your goal.