Better Breeder Chronicles

What separates breeders who last from those who chase the moment?

In this episode, Karen and Clint Livingston, master breeders of Trio Brittanys, share how mentorship, discipline, and long-term thinking shaped their approach to breeding Brittanys that succeed in both the ring and the field.

You’ll learn:

- Why mentorship mattered more than early wins

- How they breed three generations ahead, not litter to litter

- Why they choose type over trends

- What responsible breeding really demands, from pl...

Great breeding isn’t luck. It’s decades of discipline, loss, and vision.

In this episode, Lorrie Carlton of Belle Creek Bichons opens up about a lifetime in purebred dogs, the hard lessons behind elite breeding, and the once-in-a-generation dog that changed everything.

What you’ll discover:

- How Belle Creek began and why foundations matter more than trends

- The breeding mistakes that forced difficult, ethical decisions

- Why structure and movement matter more than perfect grooming

- The full story of Flynn, the Bi...

In this episode, we talk with Susan Lacroix Hamil of Quiet Creek Bloodhounds, one of the most respected modern Bloodhound breeding programs.

She shares her journey from 4-H to producing Best in Show dogs and dedicated working hounds, along with the lessons she’s learned from a lifetime with the breed.

In this conversation, Susan explains:

- Why bitches are the foundation of any strong breeding program

- How mentors and bloodlines shaped Quiet Creek’s type

- The biggest challenges faci...

What does it really take to rebuild a dog breeding program and recapture your breed type?

In this episode, Paul and Kelley Catterson share the inside story of their work with Brussels Griffons and Australian Shepherds, from early mentorship to reviving breeding programs.

You’ll learn:

- Why linebreeding creates true consistency and why it’s becoming a lost art.

- How one legendary Griffon, Ch. Cilleine Masquerade, “Lincoln,” transformed the breed and still influences pedigrees today.

- How genetics, health testing, and temperam...

Behind some of the most influential Dobermans in history are two breeders who spent a lifetime advancing the breed.

In this episode, Jim and Ann White of Cambria Dobermans open up about how their program started, what they learned the hard way, and how one dog, Ch. Cambria’s Cactus Cash, ended up influencing the breed for nearly 20 years.

They talk honestly about selecting dogs, building consistency, dealing with setbacks, and what really matters when you’re trying to do things the right way.

It's...

What does it really take to breed a Siberian Husky that’s both beautiful and built to work? 

In this episode, master breeder Tim Terella shares the real foundations of great breeding: balance, correct movement, functional structure, and honest evaluation. 

Tim explains how he took his parents’ breeding program and built Snoebear Siberians into a consistent, respected bloodline. He shares the story behind Gin, one of today’s top-winning dogs all-breeds. Finally, he breaks down the challenges facing modern breeders and why collaboration with others matters more than ever.

Duration: 01:06:37

From his first Rough Collie to building the world-renowned Random Wire Fox Terriers, Bill McFadden has spent a lifetime shaping excellence, one breeding at a time. 

In this episode, he shares how Random Wire Fox Terriers began, the mentors who shaped him, the dogs that defined his legacy. He also explains how careful selection and vision turned his passion into a program known for sound temperaments, type, and timeless quality.

🎧Listen now for an inside look at how true master breeders think, plan, and build a legacy.

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A LIFE Magazine cover changed everything for Grace Fritz, inspiring a journey that would redefine the Shar-Pei breed in America.

From her early National Specialty wins to producing the top-winning Shar-Pei in breed history, Grace shares how careful selection, sound structure, and genetic insight built her Good Fortune line into one of the most admired Shar-Pei programs in the world.

She opens up about the heartbreaks behind the ribbons, the health challenges that shaped her breeding philosophy, and why preserving purebred dogs is more important than ever.

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Meghen Riese-Bassel of Renascent (and formerly Statesman) Welsh Springer Spaniels grew up as a second-generation breeder. She shares how a childhood surrounded by dogs and great mentors transformed into a lifelong mission to breed with purpose.

She talks about those mentoring opportunities, balancing art and science in breeding, and how international collaboration helped improve health and temperament through the generations.

Meghen also opens up about the real work behind the wins, family, setbacks, and staying devoted to the breed.

🎧 Watch now to hear the sto...

Jere Marder turned a Christmas surprise into one of the most successful Old English Sheepdog breeding programs in breed history.

Legendary breeder Jere Marder reveals how passion, perseverance, and an eye for excellence shaped Lambluv Old English Sheepdogs, a breeding program that has produced iconic champions like Show Stopper, Yoshi, Elvis & Andrew.

From her first dog show wearing disco heels to breaking records in the ring, Jere shares hard-won lessons on mentorship, breeding ethics, and keeping the soul of the breed alive for future generations.

So, how does one breeder build world-class bloodlines in two breeds? 🐾

In this episode, Kristi Libertore shares how she transformed her love of horses into a passion for breeding dual-purpose dogs that shine in the field and dominate in the show ring. 

From her mentors’ wisdom to the heartbreaks and triumphs of Whiskeytown Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Whiskey Hills Bracchi, Kristi reveals what it takes to build a true legacy in purebred dogs.

👉 Watch now to hear the story behind one of America’s most inspir...

What happens when a curious teenager falls in love with a pet store puppy and ends up shaping one of the most respected English Cocker bloodlines in America?

In this episode, Lisa Ross of Winfree English Cockers reveals how a pet store Irish Setter sparked a lifelong passion for breeding dogs that are not only stunning in the ring but healthy, happy, and full of heart. She shares her decade-long road to her first points, the mentors who shaped her journey, and how DNA testing and ethical breeding are redefining the future of purebred...

What does it take to build a bloodline that leaves its mark on history? In this episode, master breeder Mary Nowak talks about the journey to develop Honeygait English Setters, from her very first puppy to producing Ch. Honeygait N Lampliter Fever, the winningest English Setter of all-time with 40 All-Breed Best in Show wins.

Mary shares the mentors who shaped her, the philosophy of linebreeding that defined her program, and the dogs that carried her legacy into the record books. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or simply love great dogs with health and hi...

What does it really take to breed world-class Chihuahuas?

Kristi Green of Knockout Chihuahuas reveals how she built one of the top families in the breed, from national winners to top-producing sires. She shares her journey through mentorship, health testing, breeding challenges, and what defines a true “Knockout” Chihuahua.

👉 Watch now and learn from one of the most successful Chihuahua breeders in the country.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:31 Meet Kristi Green of Knockout Chihuahuas

01:23 How Kristi got into Chihuahuas

04:06...

What drives someone to cross an ocean at 14 just to learn about a breed? For Patricia Princehouse, that leap set the stage for creating America’s most influential Pyrenean Shepherd breeding program.

Patricia reveals what it takes to balance health, type, and tradition, the story of her most influential dogs, and the biggest challenges facing purebred breeding today. Discover the passion and legacy behind La Brise Pyrenean Shepherds.

Timestamps:

00:00 Early love of dogs & first purebred dog

03:00 Discovering dog shows as a teenager

06:00 First tr...

From deep but separate foundations in the purebred dog world, Dennis and Katey Brown share the remarkable Solivia Pointer story. In this episode, you’ll hear how one family’s passion for purebred dogs grew into an international breeding program known for health, soundness, style — and winning at the highest level.

If you care about preserving breeds, producing sound, healthy dogs, and learning from two of the most influential Pointer breeders of our time, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & the early So...

How do you come back from heartbreak and build a bloodline that makes history?

Master breeder Carol Felbaum reveals how losing her foundation bitch’s first litter almost ended her program, and how perseverance turned that tragedy into a dynasty of champion Bichons.She shares the inside story of Donald, (GCHG High Ridge He’s So Full of Himself ROMX) a dog some doubted who went on to sire top champions worldwide, and she explains why mentorship, transparency, and collaboration are the future of purebred dogs.

If you are pass...

Step inside the world of Rush Hill Goldens, where Tonya Struble reveals how she built one of the most successful Golden Retriever breeding programs in breed history. She shares her journey from her first golden in Alaska to breeding iconic champions like Am/Can CH Rush Hill’s Haagen-Dazs, GCH Rush Hill’s Run’n Amuck At Abelard,GCH Rush Hill’s River Road Payoff, & more. Learn the strategies behind her breeding choices, the health challenges she’s faced, and the lessons learned along the way. This episode is a masterclass in vision, perseverance, and leaving a lasting legacy in the bre...

Through the stewardship of several breeders, the story of Bugaboo Kennels spans several generations of passion, persistence, and record-breaking champions. Colton Johnson shares details about his family’s legacy, the breeding theories behind legendary dogs like Georgie Girl, Swagger & S’More, and how Bugaboo continues to shape the future of the Old English Sheepdog breed.

Don’t miss this rare inside look at one of the most successful kennels in the dog show world. Watch now!

Timestamps:

00:00 Origins of Bugaboo Kennels

02:42 Early breeding goals and lesson...

What separates a good breeder from a great one? In this episode, Kathy Rust of Kizmar Vizslas (South Dakota AKC Vizsla Breeder) shares how she built one of the most respected Vizsla bloodlines in the breed. It was not by chance, but through strategy, relentless research, and wise decisions - and using tail-male breeding theory.

You will hear Kathy’s hard-won lessons on selecting foundation dogs, handling health setbacks, and establishing the mindset every new breeder needs to succeed. You will also learn about creating a tail-male bloodline to forming the breeder circles that en...

What does it really take to become a master breeder across three challenging breeds?In this episode, Dale Martenson (AKC Breeder/Judge) shares how a Saint Bernard puppy sparked a journey that led to over 500 homebred champions. Learn why brutal honesty builds better bloodlines, how to stay profitable and ethical in today’s societal climate, and why your “why” matters more than any ribbon.

Dale opens up about the heartbreaks, the wins, and the evolving strategies that helped him leave a lasting mark on Japanese Chins, Cavaliers, and Cocker Spaniels. Based out of Texas with h...

In the premier episode of the Better Breeder Chronicles, master breeder Guy Mauldin (Kismet Shelties) reveals insights behind the creation and development of one of the longest and most successful Shetland Sheepdog breeding programs in breed history.

Learn how Guy & Thelma Mauldin created a distinctive bloodline that has impacted the breed for over five decades. In the process, they bred/owned nearly 300 champions, won 99 Best In Shows (breed record), and transformed the breed.

Containing insider stories, breeding strategies, and thrilling wins at Westminster & National Specialties, this episode is a...

Welcome to the Better Breeder Chronicles where we meet the finest purebred dog breeders in the world. We spotlight these master breeders, hearing their stories in their own words—including their beginnings, their challenges and heartbreaks, and ultimately, their climb to the top and their determination to breed a better dog. We share their journeys to inspire all purebred conservation dog breeders to pursue their dreams for their breeding programs!

Behind every great dog is a great breeder, and the are often the ones who exist in anonymity and whose stories remain untold. On the Better Br...