In my breed, it's hard, because honestly - no one health tests, and most people's dogs are kenneled, even for whelping... (no lie on the health testing - my goal is to have Rage be the FIRST plott on the OFA list...).
That said, I've been happy with my dogs... we didn't know much when we got Eerie, and then bought her mother, Liz. I've been TERRIBLY happy with Liz, but less so with communication/my relationship (which is mostly nonexistent) with her breeder. So it's a downer, but whatever. Liz was well cared for and reasonably socialized when I bought her at 4 years. She was obedient about being crated & in the show ring, and that was enough for me to work with. I DID feel mislead because I was told she "had been out a few times & acted good" as far as hunting goes, and I have a dog that is TERRIFIED of raccoons. Temperamentally, I couldn't have asked for a more sound, sweet, people-loving dog.
I am THRILLED with Rage's breeder, and am very good friends with the family - we keep in touch, I went to their mom's wedding, etc. I have NEVER felt that anything was withheld regarding the dogs, and I'm just overall thrilled that they think I'm a wonderful person to be entrusted with their dogs, regardless of whether or not I can find a place to hunt them out here
they're good, honest people & I'm pleased to say I know them/got my dog from them.
Future dogs, if I want another hunting-type, I'll DEFINITELY go back to the Haneys in Ohio (where I got Rage) and if I want a more laid-back Liz-type, I'd probably go through SunCrest plotts in NC - they do a fabulous job & have some world-class show dogs, plus one of their foundation females is Liz's full sister. Becky & I have compared notes, and Liz & Zena are pretty similar - I think I'd be quite happy with a descendant.