A friend of mine had a working cocker bitch stolen (to order rumour has it) 3 years ago in Hampshire - her value was £2000 - she was field trial quality and was never found
That's awful. You would think it would just be too risky that she's be recognised if she was ever worked again, and if they bred from her people would see her name on the pedigree. Do you think they would try to pass her pups (which would probably have a tendency to be good workers too) off as the pups from a one of their own bitches, to improve their reputation, and command a better price?
Must be heart breaking for all owners who've had dogs taken - I'd be totally paranoid about security.