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Better Breeder Chronicles

Better Breeder Chronicles

Better Breeder Institute 48 episodes Nov 10, 2026

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!

Episodes

Meet Judi Elford: Master Breeder of Vanderbilt Samoyeds
Meet Judi Elford: Master Breeder of Vanderbilt Samoyeds Nov 10, 2026 02:03:11 Judi Elford, along with her husand, Blair, built Vanderbilt Samoyeds from a first puppy and a passion into a bloodline known around the world. In this episode, she joins host Matt Stelter to share the bold decisions, setbacks, and standout dogs behind that journey, including the record-breaking “Striker,” GCHP Vanderbilt 'N Printemp's Lucky Strike - 2X Westminster Working Group winner.Judi
Weaving Your Pedigrees: In, Out or Line
Weaving Your Pedigrees: In, Out or Line Nov 3, 2026 01:34:10 Every breeding is a thread in a tapestry that began long before us, and if we do our job well, it will continue long after us. The decisions we make are what hold the breed together.In this episode of the Better Breeder Roundtable, Kathy Rust is joined by two of the sport’s most respected master breeders, Bill Shelton (Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgis) and Doug Johnson (Clussexx Clumber, Sussex, &am
Meet Gloria Birch: Master Breeder of Covy-Tucker Hill German Shepherds
Meet Gloria Birch: Master Breeder of Covy-Tucker Hill German Shepherds Oct 27, 2026 55:30 Gloria Birch of Covy-Tucker Hill German Shepherds bred a Westminster legend, but she has never let winning ribbons guide her breeding decisions.In this episode of Better Breeder Chronicles, Gloria shares how she and her partner, Cappy Pottle, produced more than 300 champions, including the unforgettable Ch. Covy-Tucker Hill's Manhattan, while building a bloodline and breed type people recogniz
Meet Erin Kerfoot: Master Breeder of Wynmoor English Springer Spaniels
Meet Erin Kerfoot: Master Breeder of Wynmoor English Springer Spaniels Oct 20, 2026 55:40 Erin Kerfoot of Wynmoor English Springer Spaniels built her small kennel into one with a big legacy, and some of her best decisions meant trusting her eye when others disagreed.In this episode, Erin joins Host Matt Stelter to share her journey from junior showmanship success, to the mentors who shaped her breeding philosophy, and the choices behind generations of distinctive, versatile Springers.D
Meet David Samuelson: Masteer Breeder of Dashing Whippets
Meet David Samuelson: Masteer Breeder of Dashing Whippets Oct 13, 2026 54:12 David Samuelson of Dashing Whippets chose to start over rather than continue with a line with a serious health issue. In this episode, David joins Matt Stelter to share how that decision, using strong female lines, and building lasting partnerships shaped his breeding program. From discovering the thrill of racing to living with 5 Best in Show winners, his story centers on preserving everything a
Linebreeding: Carefully Connected, Thoughtfully Bred
Linebreeding: Carefully Connected, Thoughtfully Bred Oct 6, 2026 01:18:27 Linebreeding is one of the oldest tools in dog breeding for establishing and maintaining quality, but many people misunderstand it as simply breeding related dogs. In this episode, Kathy Rust is joined by Andrea Jordan-Lane (Jordean Brittanys), Lexa Richmond (Hialeah Dachshunds), and Lisa Braun (Mischief Papillons & Miniature American Shepherds) to discuss how intentional linebreeding can help
Meet Jessica MacMillan: Master Breeder of Paisley Dalmatians
Meet Jessica MacMillan: Master Breeder of Paisley Dalmatians Sep 29, 2026 58:11 Jessica MacMillan of Paisley Dalmatians has spent a lifetime building a breeding legacy spanning 13 generations.In this episode, Jessica shares the defining decisions, painful setbacks, and uncompromising standards that made Paisley an influential name in the Dalmatian world.You’ll discover:The crucial difference between a showable dog and one that should be bredHow Jessica preserved her program a
Meet Susan Giles: Master Breeder of Ta Sen Lhasa Apsos
Meet Susan Giles: Master Breeder of Ta Sen Lhasa Apsos Sep 22, 2026 48:54 For more than 50 years, Susan Giles of Ta Sen Lhasa Apsos has built a breeding program known for consistency, breed type, and generations of remarkable show dogs. Ta Sen has produced an incredible family of successful Lhasas, with the pinnacle being “JJ,” GCHP. Ta Sen Westgate Jingle Juice, 2025 AKC National Championship Best in Show & 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Non-Sporting Group winner.In
Meet Margery Good: Master Breeder of Good Spice Kennel Sealyhams Terriers
Meet Margery Good: Master Breeder of Good Spice Kennel Sealyhams Terriers Sep 15, 2026 58:19 Margery Good of Good Spice Kennel has spent decades proving that great breeding is about far more than winning in the show ring, but also producing happy, confident Companions that are fabulous to live with. Good Spice has produced an incredible family of successful Sealyham Terriers, collaborating with top programs around the world. From her earliest days in dogs to building generations of outsta
Meet Cherie Hunchak: Master Breeder of Elance Borzoi
Meet Cherie Hunchak: Master Breeder of Elance Borzoi Sep 8, 2026 53:14 Cherie Hunchak of Elance Borzoi has spent decades pursuing one goal: breed dogs that are strong where the breed is weak.In this episode of Better Breeder Chronicles, Cherie shares the philosophy, breeding decisions, and bloodlines behind Elance Borzoi and the dogs that have influenced pedigrees around the world.You’ll discover:How learning to truly see structure transformed her breeding programWhy
Elevate Your Mindset
Elevate Your Mindset Sep 1, 2026 01:07:35 Great breeding programs are built on the mindset of the breeder behind them.In this episode of the Better Breeder Roundtable, Kathy Rust is joined by Jamie Hubbard (Clussexx Kennels) and Spenser Hardin (Longview Collies) to talk about how a breeder's mindset can either propel a program forward or quietly hold it back for years. Together, they explore what it really takes to think in generation
Meet Robert Urban: Master Breeder of Foxfire Black and Tan Coonhounds
Meet Robert Urban: Master Breeder of Foxfire Black and Tan Coonhounds Aug 25, 2026 53:22 Robert Urban of Foxfire Black and Tan Coonhounds knows that great breeders build more than winning dogs. They build a kennel with a type, a philosophy, and a legacy.In this episode, Bob shares the lessons behind decades of breeding, showing, and working with Black and Tans, from the breed-founding mentors who shaped him to the dogs that defined Foxfire.You’ll hear:How Foxfire developed a recogniza

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