As far as the working thing, when I get a BC I'll be buying a dog from a working breeder. Not a breeder who does trials, because to me, that's sport, not work. A dog that can work day after day herding stock over hard terrain, keeping track of way more sheep than you'll find in a trial, is much more impressive to me than a dog who has 43658755685 herding titles.
It really differs between breeds. I don't want my BC's ancestors to ever have stepped foot into a show ring, but when I get a chi, I want the dogs to be proven in the ring, or at least evaluated by a judge. I'd also love to see agility, obedience, therapy, flyball, or dogs with their CGC. It's not a *necessity* but I'd like to see something extra, that they're out there with their dogs.