Better Breeder Chronicles

Outcrossing is one of the most talked-about and misunderstood topics in dog breeding. In this episode of the Better Breeder Roundtable, Kathy Rust is joined by renowned master breeder Bill Shelton (Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgis) and Lisa Braun (Mischief Papillons & Miniature American Shepherds) for a practical discussion on when, why, and how breeders should use outcrossing to improve their p...

This is the story of how Lindsey Cook took Kaska English Setters from humble roots and built it into a program that consistently produces some of the breed’s finest, most dominant dogs. She shares her journey from junior handler to respected breeder, the mentorship that shaped her program, and the dogs that helped define the Kaska legacy. You'll learn: The lessons she learned from legendary br...

How did Lexa Richmond of Hialeah Dachshunds build a small breeding program that produced DCA National Specialty and AKC National Championship winners and generations of top-producing Dachshunds? In this episode, Matt Stelter sits down with Lexa to share the story behind one of the most successful Dachshund kennels in the country and the lessons learned over 25 years of breeding. Learn how she foll...

How did Patti Strand and Merry-Go-Round Dalmatians build one of the most influential Dalmatian breeding programs of the past half-century? In this episode, Matt Stelter sits down with Patti Strand to uncover the dogs, decisions, and breeding philosophy that helped shape a lasting legacy in the Dalmatian. Patti also shares her deep involvement with the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA). Patt...

How did Allison Sunderman turn Sun Oak Welsh Terriers into a highly-respected breeding program while forced to take a backseat to Allison’s handling career? In this episode of Better Breeder Chronicles , Allison reflects on 50 years in Welsh Terriers, the legendary dogs and mentors that shaped her program, and the hard lessons that come with preserving type, temperament, and quality over generatio...

How did Donna and Mike Beadle build Eclipse Berger Picards into one of the most accomplished Berger Picard breeding programs in the country? In this episode, Matt Stelter sits down with the team behind Eclipse Berger Picards to talk about legendary dogs, heartbreaking losses, Westminster & AKC National Championship wins, and the reality of preserving a rare breed. Key insights from this episod...

Andrea Jordan-Lane of Jordean spent decades building one of the most influential Brittany bloodlines in the sport and forever changing what a top-flight Brittany looks like, and this episode reveals exactly how she did it. From showing a non-show-quality dog as a teenager to producing generations of top-winning Brittanys, Andrea shares the mentors, bloodlines, and breeding decisions that shaped th...

Barbara Heidenreich of Fernhill Scottish Deerhounds has spent over 50 years preserving one of the world’s most historic and elegant dog breeds, and her story is unforgettable. From cycling alone through Scotland in the 1960s and falling in love with her first deerhound at a small roadside hotel, Barbara shares the journey that built Fernhill into one of the most respected Scottish Deerhound kennel...

Kimm McDowell of DerHagen Rottweilers went 5 years without winning a single point… then turned an overlooked dog into a Best in Show champion. Kimm shares the real story behind her decades in the ring and the whelping box, shaped by persistence, hard lessons, and a clear focus on breeding better dogs, not just chasing wins. Here’s what you’ll learn: How going 5 years without a single win pushed he...

Kay Peiser of Kaylen didn’t just breed dogs, she built a legacy of champions from the ground up. In this episode, this widely respected breeder in the sport shares a lifetime of experience shaping Standard Poodles and Chinese Cresteds at the highest level. From early setbacks to producing 100+ champions, Kay reveals what it really takes to succeed with no sugarcoating. Here’s what you’ll learn: Wh...

Karen Fitzpatrick of Meadowlake Border Terriers didn’t just breed winners. She redefined what a Border Terrier should be, and in the process, developed an incredible bloodline with triumphs at Westminster, the AKC National Championship, and Morris & Essex. In this episode, Karen shares how she went from fox hunting in the UK to building one of the most dominant Border Terrier breeding programs...

Sarah Murphy of Abbaio Ibizan Hounds started with showing a pet-quality Pug to becoming a top breeder, turning passion into a Best in Show–winning legacy. In this episode, Sarah shares the real story behind building a successful breeding program in a rare breed, from early struggles to producing elite champions. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why your first “imperfect” dog can shape your entire path Th...

How did Lou Ann King of Loteki Papillons build a bloodline so powerful it dominated the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show year after year? In this episode, Lou Ann shares the full journey, from handwriting letters to top breeders as a child to creating one of the most recognizable and successful Papillon breeding programs in the world. Inside this conversation, you’ll discover: Why patience, not lu...

Sandbar breeder Diane Baker didn’t just build a breeding program. She developed a bloodline that helped shape an entire breed and earn new respect from the entire purebred world. In this episode, Diane of Sandbar Chesapeakes shares the story behind her legendary program, from early lessons with horses to producing record-breaking champions and leaving a lasting mark on the Chesapeake Bay Retriever...

Doug Johnson & Jamie Hubbard of the world-renowned Clussexx Kennel return for Part 2 of our conversation, and this time, they challenge everything you think you think about about how to breed purebred dogs successfully in the future. In this episode, Doug and Jamie share decades of hard-earned insight on what it truly takes to build a sustainable, future-proof breeding program in today’s world...

Doug Johnson and Jamie Hubbard , of the renowned Clussexx kennel , don’t just breed top champions; they have preserved four rare breeds. They are premier preservation breeders of Clumber, Sussex, Welsh Springer & English Toy Spaniels, realizing tremendous success in each breed, including TWO Westminster Best In Show wins. Doug started as a teenager with a chance meeting of a Clumber Spaniel in...

Pam Lefever of Brasswinds built distinctive bloodlines in both English Setters and English Cocker Spaniels. Pam has bred National Specialty & Westminster Best of Breed winners, as well as all-time top producers in both breeds. In this episode, Pam Lefever shares the story behind her program, the dogs that shaped it, and the philosophy that guided decades of breeding. Pam talks about: How the B...

How did Tricia Stanczyk of Classic Parson Russell Terriers go from knowing nothing about dog shows to producing multiple National Specialty, Westminster, & Best in Show-winning Parson Russell Terriers? In this episode, Tricia shares the story behind her breeding journey and the mentorship that shaped it, especially from Jennifer Johnson of the influential Posey Canyon kennel, whose bloodlines...

At Pinnacle Whippets, Justin and Cheslie Smithey have bred two of the most successful Whippets in modern history, and they’re sharing exactly how it happened. The powerhouse duo behind Whiskey and Bourbon reveals the mentorship, strategy, and selfless collaboration with fellow breeders that built their program from a teenage Whippet purchase to National & Westminster wins and record-breaking B...

From an early import to the AKC National Championship stage, Stacy Able of Ginkgo Barbets shares how she helped build the Barbet breed in the United States from the ground up. With over 20 years in the breed, Stacy walks us through the journey from Foundation Stock Service to full AKC recognition and what it takes to develop a bloodline in a small, growing genepool. In this episode, you’ll learn:...

Kathy Lorentzen of Ocoee English Springer Spaniels shares the mindset behind more than 50 years of intentional, disciplined breeding. From her foundation dogs to creating her own bitch lines, she explains what it really takes to protect a breed. You’ll learn: Why your mental picture shapes every breeding decision How linebreeding creates consistency and type Why chasing easy ring wins weakens qual...

Lori Pelletier of Avalon Norfolk Terriers didn’t just build a successful breeding program. She shaped an entire breed’s future. In this conversation, Lori shares the real story behind Avalon Norfolk Terriers: the patience, setbacks, mentors, and hard decisions that turned early dreams into a lasting legacy. You’ll discover: - How Lori went from a first-time owner to one of the most influential Nor...

Pebbles Run Samoyeds and master breeder Amy Kiell-Green built a world-class breeding program by prioritizing the dog, the breed, and long-term integrity over trends, titles, and quick wins. In this episode of Better Breeder Chronicles, Amy Kiell-Green shares the story behind Pebbles Run Samoyeds, from her early start in purebred dogs, to the incredible mentors she’s had in her life, to producing l...

Behind every great Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a keen eye, endless patience, and a breeding plan. Janice Hayes of Stellar PBGVs shares the hard-earned lessons behind her journey from junior handler to handling assistant to Westminster Best In Show-winning handler, and now a world-class breeder. You’ll learn: - Why patience is non-negotiable in a successful PBGV breeding program - How important...

What did it take Armando Angelbello of Marlex Miniature Pinschers to build a legendary breeding program? It’s a story shaped by mentorship, vision, and decades of disciplined decision-making. Armando reflects on how a chance discovery of the Miniature Pinscher led to mentorship under a breed icon, a record-setting 15 National Specialty wins, and the creation of a recognizable Marlex type known aro...