Pure Dog Talk

Gatekeeping Within Our Breeds: A Conversation with the Patrons Host Laura Reeves is joined by members of the Pure Dog Talk Patrons group in an extended deep dive on the question of gatekeeping within our breeds. Members of this private group share their opinions, thoughts and mitigations on placing dogs, using limited registration, educating puppy buyers and more. Spinning off a podcast conversati...

WKC Inside Scoop with Don Sturz, Tell YOUR Stories [caption id="attachment_12756" align="alignnone" width="2290"] Don Sturz and host Laura Reeves sit down at the Rose City Classic to discuss the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club dog show and plans for the future.[/caption] Dr. Donald Sturz joins host Laura Reeves to discuss this year’s Westminster Kennel Club dog show at the Billie Jean King Tennis Cen...

Puppy Evaluation System Developed by a Woman Ahead of Her Time [caption id="attachment_12746" align="alignleft" width="360"] Virginia Apgar, who named the newborn evaluation system.[/caption] Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for their ongoing puppy discussion. This month Greer shares the story of Virginia Apgar, who named a now-famous newborn evaluation system after herself. Apgar was...

Pro Tips on Changing the Conversation from Ian Lynch [caption id="attachment_12739" align="alignleft" width="373"] Ian Lynch with his newest Dawin Poodle, Portia.[/caption] Canadian Kennel Club spokesperson Ian Lynch joins host Laura Reeves to talk about changing the conversation on purebred dogs with the general public. Lynch, a broadcaster in his day job, brings his passion for purebred dogs to...

Breed Type First: Mary Dukes on Judging Dogs [caption id="attachment_12717" align="alignleft" width="409"] Mary Dukes in her handling days heyday.[/caption] Legendary handler, rep and now judge Mary Dukes continues her conversation with host Laura Reeves. Today they talk about judging, handling and all-time favorite dogs. “I’m a type-first girl all the way,” Dukes said, quoting the notable Anne Ro...

Mary Dukes: An Evolution from Owner to Professional to Rep to Judge Host Laura Reeves is joined by Mary Dukes, legendary Whippet breeder, professional handler, AKC Executive Field Representative and now judge. [caption id="attachment_12711" align="alignleft" width="400"] A 1991 advertisement for Dukes' handling services.[/caption] Dukes has spent a lifetime involved in working with animals. From s...

BernerGarde Leads the Way in Open Sharing of Health Information Host Laura Reeves is joined by Lori Jodar, president of the BernerGarde Foundation, to discuss this legendary program. BernerGarde has been collecting health and pedigree data on the Bernese Mountain Dog for nearly 30 years. The founder of this concept began in the 1960s gathering information on 3x5 cards. The non-profit foundation wa...

614 – Neonates: Hypoxia, Hypothermia, Hydration, Hypoglycemia Dr. Marty Greer DVM joins host Laura Reeves to talk about the four H’s that constitute critical care of neonates: Hypoxia, Hypothermia, Hydration, Hypoglycemia. “The four H's are hypoxia which is oxygen,” Greer said. “Hypothermia which is temperature, hypoglycemia which is glucose and hydration which of course is hydration or dehydratio...

Junior Handler Wins NOHS Finals in Orlando [caption id="attachment_12679" align="alignleft" width="439"] Adam showing his dog to Best of Breed.[/caption] The 2023 AKC National Owner Handled Series Finals was won by 14-year-old Adam Kucera and his two year old Irish Setter, Stryker. Adam and Stryker’s breeder, Patty Fanelli, join host Laura Reeves to share their story. “At (Adam’s) first show, he b...

Clubistry: Websites Designed for Dog Clubs Host Laura Reeves is joined by Jennifer Johnson and Brent Wiethoff from Dialogs who have created and are building a service called Clubistry . The service designs websites specifically for dog clubs. “Younger generations are not as keen to join clubs,” Johnson said. “They don't always really know that there are parent clubs or that there might be a value...

Foundations for Success at the Dog Show: Shoes and Shapewear [caption id="attachment_12644" align="alignleft" width="306"] Veronica Wolfe, owner at Best in Show Clothes[/caption] Veronica Wolfe, owner of Best in Show Clothes , joins host Laura Reeves with professional advice on shoes, shapewear and other foundations for success at the dog show. “I've become passionate about good shoes,” Wofe said....

Canine Influenza Outbreak and How to Manage It with Dr. Marty Greer Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss the current Canine Influenza outbreak, how to manage it and how it became an overnight sensation in the public. “Well, partially it's media, partially it's misinformation, courtesy of the media,” Greer said. “And partially there was a lack of vaccine. The vaccine insufficient...

Critiques, Communication and Common Sense in Dog Shows [caption id="attachment_12561" align="alignleft" width="409"] Steve Dainard judging Spinoni back in the day, when Laura was still showing dogs.[/caption] Canadian Kennel Club judge Steve Dainard is back with host Laura Reeves for part two of a probing and thoughtful conversation about critiques, communication and common sense in dog shows. “So...

Dog Judging Process and Ethics with CKC Judge Steve Dainard Host Laura Reeves is joined by Canadian Kennel Club all-breeds judge Steve Dainard for part one of their conversation about the judging approval process, judging ethics and other hot button topics as we progress through “meat and potatoes” November! “So how do we help judges move into a place of thinking more about structure and less abou...

Keeping Foxhounds Alive Into the 21 st Century [caption id="attachment_12547" align="alignleft" width="432"] Brigette Bryson with one of her Foxhounds.[/caption] Brigette Bryson, second generation breeder of Foxhounds at Foxhunt Kennels in Australia, joins host Laura Reeves in a wide ranging conversation about English Foxhounds, preserving the history they represent and how she hopes to keep the b...

Protecting Breeds Into the Future Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss AKC’s newest service for preservation breeders. Greer was actively involved in AKC’s development of the Purebred Preservation Bank , taking the idea from the Otterhound Club of America. We had the conversation with Joellen Gregory early on about the Otterhound’s semen bank, and AKC has taken this and develope...

LIVE Debate: Should Professional Handlers Be Allowed in BPUP? Our final installation for Spicy October is a LIVE@5 debate between an owner handler and a professional handler regarding the hot topic of the rules around the BPUP, 4-6 months puppy competition. Natalie Thurman, owner handler: [caption id="attachment_12504" align="alignleft" width="351"] Natalie Thurman and Ares winning Owner Handled G...

Creating Better Outcomes for ALL Dogs Host Laura Reeves is joined by the founders of For All Dogs -- Chris Fleming of Pinnacle Pet and Martha Boden of SPCA Tampa Bay . This unlikely partnership grew out of a mutual desire to create better outcomes for all dogs, including retired breeding dogs from commercial kennels and adoptable dogs in animal shelters. As we wrap up “spicy October,” this convers...

Purebred or Mixed Breed: Silken Windhounds Bridge the Divide [caption id="attachment_12486" align="alignleft" width="358"] Silken Windhounds descend from lurchers (believed to be Whippet x Sheltie) and Borzoi.[/caption] Ashlynn Hill joins host Laura Reeves for a discussion of the Silken Windhound. These dogs appear to bridge the divide between preservation purebred dog breeders and the "fad" mixed...

Responsibly Developing New Breeds… What Does That Look Like? The facts are that all but a very, very limited handful of our breeds today have been created by mankind for some purpose. Companionship is a purpose. I would like to introduce you to the Toy Fox Terrier, for example. As society moves away from agrarian and hunter gatherer lives, companion breeds and even new companion breeds are more in...

Add Years to Your Dog’s Life with One Simple Step Dr. Marty Greer DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss how every pet owner can add years to their dog’s life with the simple step of avoiding obesity. “It's a difficult conversation,” Greer said. “It's difficult for veterinarians to bring it up. It's difficult for clients. So all the way around, it's a challenging process and we have to be very car...

Mentors, Mentees and All the Love Welcome to Pure Dog Talk. I am your host Laura Reeves, and today is episode 600. Like holy podcast palooza Batman. There has been an awful lot of water under the bridge since November of 2016. If you haven't, you should make a point to watch the Live@Five episode with Mary Albee from this month, where we talk about the creation of pure Dog talk. Everything from wh...

Norwegian Elkhounds: The OG GPS Tracking System [caption id="attachment_12454" align="alignleft" width="346"] Kamilla Engen with her dogs. In Norway, Grey and Black Norwegian Elkhounds are recognized as separate breeds.[/caption] Kamilla Engen, Norwegian Elkhound breeder, judge and moose hunter in Norway, joins host Laura Reeves for a Love the Breeds discussion of this ancient hunting breed. Engen...

Basset Fauve de Bretagne: Old Breed is New to AKC Miscellaneous [caption id="attachment_12428" align="alignleft" width="289"] Nick Frost, AKC Judge and Hound Authority[/caption] Nick Frost, AKC judge and hound specialist, joins host Laura Reeves to talk about the charming Basset Fauve de Bretagne. Better known for his Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen breeding program, Frost was involved with the Fauve...

Puppy Strangles, Pyoderma and Neonatal Ophthalmia Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss some of the weird and scary diseases that can affect our puppies, including puppy strangles, puppy pyoderma and neonatal opththalmia. Puppy Strangles “Essentially what it is, is it's an allergic reaction or an over immune reaction to bacteria that are normally found on the skin. So we normally...