I have a very dear friend who is a master breeder with close to 40 years into her breeding program. She has Ch. more dogs than I can even count. She can give you lines back 10 generations or more out of her head. She is a breeder, owner handler. She has won BIG shows in Australia and Europe. I have seen her turn down 1000s of dollars for a pup. She knows her stuff! When I was thinking about breeding she gave me some good advice.
Get signed up with your state show schedules. You can find the right person on the AKC site. GO TO EVERY SHOW unless you are half dead. Go ALL day. Don't just go to breed, do group. Stay out of the way but spend as much time as possible watching grooming and prep.
Be prepared to spend more than you ever make.
Read this book over and over - my cover is mostly off. She bought it for me at a show we did in LA.
Amazon.com: Born to Win, Breed to Succeed (Kennel...
And before you ever mate, be able to honestly answer: Why will THIS breeding improve the stock for this breed. And if you don't have a specific answer, you should not be breeding
PS - laws for dogs go state to state. Check out your small claims court. If your Vet will give a report that the dog was not in acceptable sale condition you may have a case.