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 inspiring breeder success stories.

Timestamps:

00:00  Intro

00:20 Meet Kristi Libertore

01:29 First Dog and the Show Ring

03:11 Mentorship and Early Lessons

04:52 Mentors Who Influenced Her

08:29 Key Lessons from Her Mentor

09:43 Additional Mentors and Role Models

13:20 Building the Whiskeytown Vision

16:07 What Defines a Whiskeytown Griffon

19:02 The Dogs That Made Whiskeytown

22:23 AKC Sporting Group Breeder of the Year

23:27 Entering a New Breed: The Bracco Italiano

28:10 Developing Broncos with Her Husband

30:55 Breeding Challenges in a Limited Gene Pool

33:44 What Defines a Whiskey Hills Bracco

36:53 The Dogs That Made Whiskey Hills

40:43 The Role of Pedigree

42:14 Breeding Strategies and Linebreeding

44:47 Overcoming Challenges and Heartbreaks

47:09 Advice for Better Kennel Management

49:21 Breeders as Collaborators, Not Competitors

53:32 How Her Vision Has Evolved

54:18 Redefining Success

55:12 Thoughts on Judging and the Show World

56:19 Challenges Facing the Sport

57:44 Optimism for the Future

59:50 What Breeders Should Focus On

1:00:58 Breeders She Admires

1:02:59 Her Greatest Accomplishment

1:03:50 Advice for Aspiring Breeders

1:04:29 Legacy and Vision for the Future

1:05:11 Where to Learn More

#BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #KristiLibertore #WhiskeyHillsandWhiskeytown #BracchiItaliani #WirehairedPointingGriffons

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 dogs.

Tune in to discover what it truly takes to build a legacy in purebred dog breeding — and why health, temperament, and mentorship matter more than trophies.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:42 Meet Lisa Ross of Winfree English Cockers

01:42 Getting Started with Purebred Dogs

03:43 Mentors and Early Lessons

05:49 First Breeding and Vision

08:28 Influential Bloodlines

09:21 Pedigrees and DNA Testing Evolution

10:51 Evaluating Puppies and Breeding Type

12:20 Defining the Winfree English Cocker

13:20 Hallmark Dogs and Bloodlines Through Time

19:04 Breeding Challenges and Heartbreak

22:45 Supporting Puppy Buyers & Building Community

24:39 Collaboration and the Future of Breeding

26:44 Reflections on Success & Legacy

27:18 The Impact of Judges’ Opinion

28:05 The Biggest Challenge of the Breed

28:45 The Optimism for the Future of the Breed

29:23 What Should Breeders Focus On

30:55 Breeders Who Lisa Admires

33:02 Advice for New Breeders

33:49 Winfree English Cockers’ Future

34:41 Where to Find Lisa 

#BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #LisaRoss #Winfree #EnglishCockerSpaniel

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 history, the Honeygait story is one you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & the “Honeygait” story begins

01:19 First English Setter & how the Honeygait name started

03:47 Early mentors and their influence

08:17 Building the Honeygait breeding program

12:49 Breeding philosophy & health priorities

18:14 Selecting puppies and what stands out

21:40 Thoughts on outcrossing vs. line breeding

24:55 Defining the Honeygait “look”

29:30 Notable dogs and their show careers

35:16 Biggest challenges in breeding

37:04 Most proud accomplishments

37:41 Collaborating with other breeders

45:58 Biggest challenges facing the breed today

48:17 Optimism for the future of English Setters

50:25 Breeders she admires & would recommend for interviews

52:26 Advice to aspiring breeders

53:28 How she hopes Honeygait will be remembered

54:44 Where to learn more & closing thoughts

#BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #MaryNowak #Honeygait #EnglishSetters

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 Early breeding challenges and goals

04:55 Struggles finding mentors

05:47 Meeting Darwin Delaney and key influences

07:16 Lessons learned from mentors

08:30 Building a family of her Chihuahuas

10:01 Establishing foundation bitches and early successes

11:24 Breeding strategies and line development

12:15 Breeding philosophy: Linebreeding

13:02 Specific breeding strategies

14:25 Stud dog selection

15:38 Focusing on virtues over faults

16:20 Puppy selection and Knockout traits

17:41 Defining the “Knockout Chihuahua”

19:42 Notable dogs that shaped Knockout Chihuahuas

30:09 Challenges of breeding toy dogs

31:46 Health testing as a breeding tool

33:39 Importance of National Specialties

34:27 Today’s breeder challenges & shrinking gene pools

35:29 Biggest challenges in Chihuahuas today

36:18 Optimism for the breed’s future

36:58 Breeding priorities for longevity and lines

37:36 Kristi’s most meaningful accomplishments

38:25 Breeders Kristi admires

39:33 Advice to aspiring breeders

40:19 Knockout legacy and long-term goals

41:13 Where to learn more about Knockout Chihuahuas

#BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShow #KristiGreen #Knockout #Chihuahuas #KnockoutChihuahuas

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 trip to France & meeting mentors

09:00 Breeding Great Pyrenees as livestock guardians

13:00 Transition to Pyrenean Shepherds

18:00 Early breeding challenges & lessons learned

25:00 Preserving natural breeds as cultural history

31:00 Importing dogs & building a U.S. program

40:00 Health, outcrosses & maintaining type

50:00 Head, movement, and selection priorities

55:00 Prominent La Brise dogs & show ring impact

1:10:00 Challenges: judges, novices, and public perception

1:20:00 Collaboration and community in breeding

1:27:00 Optimism for the next generation

1:38:00 Legacy & advice to aspiring breeders

#BetterBreederChronicles #PatriciaPrincehouse #LaBrise #PyreneanShepherds #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShow

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 Solivia story

00:22 Katey’s mom’s path: Irish Setters → Cockers → Pointers

04:00 Foundation lines that shaped Solivia

06:40 Core philosophy: Health and Soundness first

10:32 Dennis’s background & how Dennis/Katey connected

18:31 International outcross strategy (Italy, NZ, UK, etc.)

22:01 Why Pointers are a “bitch breed” (dam-line consistency)

23:57 What a Solivia Pointer looks like (type & movement)

25:07 Game-changer sire & what he fixed

36:07 Ch. Solivia’s Desiderata: National winner & record producer

48:12 Conditioning Secrets: paddocks, free-feeding pups, & more

1:06:06 Advice to aspiring breeders: don’t quit; condition the dog

#BetterBreederChronicles #DennisBrown #KateyBrown #Solivia #Pointers #SoliviaPointers #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows

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 passionate about breeding programs, preserving breed standards, or the hidden stories behind champion dogs, you won’t want to miss this.

👉 Subscribe now for more breeder stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and conversations that keep the purebred dog breeding community strong.

Timestamps:

00:00 Beginnings in purebred dogs

01:30 Teen years and weekends at dog shows

02:21 Discovering Bichons

04:59 Early mentors and lessons in dog care

09:15 Learning through observation and quiet study

12:14 Honesty, tough conversations, and breeder transparency

16:44 Returning to the dog world after raising a family

19:08 Foundation bitch Minnie and her impact

22:54 First litters, heartbreak, and perseverance

28:22 Breeding success: Audrey, Donald, and champion offspring

34:26 Donald’s Story: from family dog to top sire

51:24 Donald’s accomplishments and legacy

55:35 Building toward the next great dog

57:46 Breeding decisions, linebreeding, and frozen semen

1:02:43 Challenges of promoting purebred dogs today

1:04:39 Collaboration vs. competition among breeders

1:07:28 Educating puppy buyers and lifelong support

1:11:22 Challenges in the Bichon breed today

1:13:49 Optimism and gratitude for the future

1:16:21 Hallmark kennel name story

1:18:39 Breeders who Carol admires

1:21:12 Perseverance as the key lesson for aspiring breeders

1:22:37 How Carol wants Hallmark Bichons remembered

1:23:35 Why there’s still no website

#BetterBreederChronicles #Carol Felbaum #HallmarkBichonFrise #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows

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 breed. Timestamps:00:00 First Golden Retriever Story04:41 Entering the Purebred World07:08 Early Mentors and Lessons09:23 Make Your Own Decisions10:24 Founding the Rush Hill Line14:30 Breeding Plans and Strategies20:57 Selecting Puppies to Keep24:48 Breeding for Versatile Dogs25:35 Defining the Rush Hill Look34:16 Haagen Dazs: Kirby’s Legacy44:40 Chaos: The Charismatic Showdog47:20 Vegas: Rising to #150:42 Willis and McClain’s Wins51:45 Health Issues and Setbacks53:51 Experiences with Other Breeds56:05 Supporting Puppy Buyers 57:00 Challenges Facing Today’s Sport1:05:03 Achievements She’s Most Proud Of1:06:34 Key Advice for Breeders1:08:20 Legacy of Rush Hill Goldens1:12:28 Preserving History Through Website

#BetterBreederChronicles #TonyaStruble #RushHill #GoldenRetrievers #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows

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 lessons in linebreeding

06:39 Colton’s childhood and growing up in a dog show family

08:39 Meeting Heather and discovering a passion for showing dogs

12:12 Breeding Bugaboo’s Georgie Girl and Picture Perfect

13:06 Lessons from his parents as mentors

16:17 Influential mentors and breeders outside the family

18:33 Moving the Bugaboo bloodline forward

20:11 Insights into the selection process

23:46 Football analogies for breeding programs

25:19 When litters don’t work out & the surprises of genetics

26:16 The most notable Bugaboo dogs

30:24 Colton’s daughter wins Best Junior at Westminster

32:49 Building a community hub

36:30 Educating the public on purebred dogs

38:16 The story of Hulk, the Bugaboo dog for the Fountain, CO Police

41:47 Colton’s most notable accomplishment

43:15 Collaboration over competition in breeding

48:14 Biggest challenge today: proper mentorship

51:41 What gives hope for the future of purebred dogs

54:22 What should breeders focus on right now

56:28 How Colton hopes Bugaboo will be remembered

#BetterBreederChronicles #ColtonJohnson #Bugaboo #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows

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 enabled Kathy’s tremendous success, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and sharpen your vision for what successful purebred breeding will look like in the future.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:47 Meet Kathy Rust

02:14 Early exposure to dogs and breeding

05:09 Figure skating & competitive breeding mindset

06:38 First Vizsla and her early journey in the breed

08:21 Deep-dive research and pedigree analysis

11:19 Exploring form and function

13:14 Starting the Kizmar bloodline

15:31 Type-to-type breeding

18:09 The Lloyd Brackett breeding method

20:09 Selecting puppies to move forward with

22:50 The most notable Kizmar dogs

26:39 Building a consistent tail-male line

28:44 Theories behind a tail-male line

35:00 The biggest challenge Kizmar faced and overcame

38:41 Advice for unexpected health issues

44:09 Her relationships with puppy owners

46:36 What are breeder circles?

51:49 Defining your breeder identity and mission

54:07 The future of purebred dogs

56:30 Kathy’s message to new breeders

57:37 How Kizmar will be remembered in breed history

58:48 How to learn more about Kizmar

#BetterBreederChronicles #KathyRust #KizmarVizslas #Vizsla #VizslaDogs #VizslaBreeder #DogBreeding #PurebredDogs #AKCVizsla #VizslaPuppies #VizslaLovers #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows

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 his wife Jane, the Martensons built Touche and Castlemar into two of the most respected kennel names in the purebred dog world, known as much for their kindness and generosity as their excellence and success.

Subscribe for more expert interviews, tools, and support for purebred conservation dog breeders.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:51 Meet Dale Martenson

02:12 How It All Began

04:25 Competitions & First Big Win

06:25 Early Mentors & People They Learned From

08:48 Early Pivotal Experiences

10:25 Learning from Losses

13:19 Building a Legacy in Japanese Chins

20:18 The Power of Good Bitches

24:22 Breeding Strategies to Establish Bloodline

26:28 Progress Over the Years & Selection Process

32:00 The Biggest Challenge as the Breeder

34:41 Handling Setbacks and Disappointments

38:27 The Cavaliers & Cockers

40:52 The Most Notable Accomplishments

43:22 Why Good Breeders Deserve To Make A Profit

50:18 Adapting to Today’s Challenges

53:39 What Should Breeders Focus On Today?

56:22 Optimism for the Future of Purebred Dogs

1:00:18 The Impact of Social Media

1:02:32 Final Advice for Aspiring Breeders

1:04:15 How Dale Wishes to Be Remembered

1:05:54 Where to Connect with Dale

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 must-watch for anyone who loves purebred dogs, breeding theory, or success stories. Prepare to be inspired by a master breeder who redefined excellence in the dog show world.

Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:47 Meet Guy Mauldin of Kismet Shetland Sheepdogs02:50 From a Collie Interest to Sheltie Champions05:46 High Born: The Dog That Started It All07:48 Linebreeding Strategies & The Power of Pedigree10:10 Outcrossing Without Losing Your Identity11:50 Inside the Kismet Selection Process12:53 The Biggest Challenge 13:33 Iconic Dogs of Kismet15:15 An Unlikely Win at Westminster19:18 The Lucky Discovery in Japan: The Pajero Story23:31 The Legacy of Kismet 25:55 The Proudest Accomplishments

#BetterBreederChronicles #KismetShelties #ShetlandSheepdog #SheltieLove #DogShowLegends #PurebredDogs #MasterBreeder #DogBreeding #PedigreePower #Linebreeding #Outcrossing #ShowDogLife #WestminsterDogShow #NationalSpecialty #ChampionDogs #DogBreederSuccess #SheltieBreeder #DogShowHistory #SheltieChampion #BreedLegacy

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 Breeder Chronicles, host Matt Stelter - AKC dog breeder/judge - shares their legacies with the purebred dog fancy and preserves them for breed history. Learn the theory, strategy & story behind National Specialty and Best In Show winning AKC/CKC breeding programs.

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