In this closing episode of the Annual Breeder Awards series, Sara and Isobel reflect on the inspiring stories shared throughout the season. From holistic Whippets to high-maintenance Mastiffs and standout Labrador studs, this episode celebrates the many ways responsible dog owners are raising the bar in breeding. They explore why structured breeding matters, how to avoid being average, and why sharing and recognising best practice is so important. You'll also hear how to apply for the 2025 AB...

In this must-listen episode of Breeders Brew, Sara sits down with the unstoppable Diana Stevens of Wylanbriar Labradors, winner of the Canine Family Planner Supportive Stud Award, to lift the lid on what true stud service looks like. With 1,000+ litters sired through her boys and a fiercely loyal community of Labrador breeders behind her, Di is the benchmark for what a stud dog owner should be. She's not just supplying a mating—she’s mentoring, marketing, matchmaking, and managing reputations...

In this special episode of Breeders Brew, Sara chats with Steve from Womlu Mastiffs, winner of the Canine Family Planner Breed Mastery Award and a finalist for both the Breeder Excellence and Breeder Vision Awards—an actual triple threat in the world of responsible breeding. Steve opens up about the deeply committed, hands-on journey he and his wife, Tracy, have taken to preserve and protect one of the UK’s rarest native breeds—the Mastiff, with only 69 puppies registered in 2023. What to exp...

In this episode of Breeders Brew, Sara sits down with Sam Chamberlain, winner of the Canine Family Planner Top Puppy Parent Award and a finalist in the Breeder Excellence Award, to explore what it takes to rear well-rounded puppies with care, commitment and common sense. 🐾 Sam shares her evolution from breeding Labradors to focusing on Cocker Spaniels and Cockapoos—and how this transition better suits her lifestyle and space without compromising standards. Expect honest, practical insight int...

In this episode of Breeders Brew, Sara sits down with the winner of the Canine Family Planner Attentive Owner Award, Helen Farnes, to celebrate her unwavering dedication to her dogs before, during, and after whelping. Helen embodies the gold standard of breeder responsibility from her roots as a dairy farmer’s wife to her thoughtful, hands-on approach to breeding Border Terriers and Jack Russells. 🐾 This honest and insightful chat covers: ✅ The transition from working collie breeder to nurtur...

In this episode of Breeders Brew, Sara is joined by special guest Jacquie Mullin, winner of the Canine Nutrition Coach Holistic Breeder Award and finalist for the Canine Family Planner's Rising Star Award, to explore the beautiful but often complex journey of breeding Whippets with intention, care, and an open mind. 🌟 With deep gratitude, Jacquie reflects on the challenges she faced across multiple missed matings, the power of trusting her gut, and why embracing modern, holistic approaches ma...

Bonus Brew: Behind the Breeder Awards + Your VIP Invitation Surprise! We're back in your ears with a bonus episode that lifts the lid on everything happening backstage at the Annual Breeder Awards – and finally gives you the inside scoop on the Brew Crew mentorship. Join us as we reflect on the ABA series so far, share why the diversity of breeder stories truly matters, and reveal the common thread running through every interview: the power of mentorship. This episode marks the official...

In this inspirational episode of Breeders Brew, Sara flies solo to celebrate the incredible achievements of one of the Annual Breeder Awards winners – the visionary French Bulldog breeder Shainy Majidi! 🌟 Shainy is a double finalist and the proud winner of the Breeding Vision Award. She is recognised for her unwavering ethics, preparation, and drive to raise the bar for French Bulldog breeding. 🎙️ Tune in as Sara and Shainy deep dive into: ✅ How Shainy’s passion for ethical breeding began aft...

In this episode of Breeders Brew, Sara sits down with Sue Taplin, winner of the Canine Family Planner's Breeder Excellence Award, to celebrate her decades-long journey in the dog world – from raising Collies and running a licensed boarding kennel, to producing generations of well-bred, health-tested Labradors. 🌟 With nearly 20 years of experience and a meticulous approach to record-keeping and ethical breeding, Sue has built a programme rooted in consistency, compassion, and continuous learni...

In this special solo series of Breeders Brew, Sara, the Canine Family Planner, takes the helm to introduce the Annual Breeder Awards (ABAs)—a brand-new recognition programme celebrating exceptional breeders and their commitment to responsible dog breeding. 🏆 This episode spotlights Adam Mayle, winner of the Rising Star Award, an accolade recognising breeders who are continuously raising their game, expanding their knowledge, and refining their breeding programmes. 🎤 In this candid conversatio...

In this celebratory episode of The Breeders Brew, Sara and Isobel wrap up the Q&A series with your burning questions and one BIG announcement. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by vague answers, outdated advice or social media noise, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. ✅ Irregular Seasons & Missed Matings – Is there a pattern in season unpredictability lately? And how do you support bitches that are late or inconsistent? ✅ The Royal Jelly Lowdown – What it is, who needs it, a...

Sara & Isobel are in full celebration mode in this short and sweet mini–pod because the Breeders Brew podcast has officially turned ONE! Join us as we spill the beans on our impromptu Pod Party, happening TODAY – with all the details you need to tune in live, get involved, and maybe even bag yourself a party favour 👀 We’re going live, unfiltered, and off the cuff to take your burning breeding questions, share some exciting updates, and of course, have a bit of a giggle. Think of it as bei...

In this jam-packed Q&A episode of Breeders Brew, Sara and Isobel answer your most asked questions—unpacking real-life scenarios, sharing expert insights, and challenging outdated breeder mindsets. Expect clarity, confidence and straight-talking guidance as we dive into: ✅ Puppy Returns – How to handle them fairly, protect yourself with a solid return contract, and why it’s not a reflection on you as a breeder. ✅ Food Quality & Supplements – Spotting changes in dog food, common nutrien...

In this special Q&A episode of Breeders Brew, we’re joined by Jo from Northwest Breeding Services, bringing together three passionate and experienced breeders to tackle some of the most hotly debated topics in dog breeding today! 🔥 Expect lively discussions, differing opinions, and hard-hitting truths as Sara, Isobel, and Jo dive into: ✅ The Great Pig Rail Debate – Are they a lifesaving necessity or an outdated myth? Hear the strong arguments on both sides from seasoned breeders! ✅ C-Se...

In this episode of Breeders Brew, Isobel and Sara dive into some of the most common questions they encounter in online breeding forums, tackling misconceptions, providing expert insights, and adding their signature dose of humour! This time, they cover: ✅ The "Not a Breeder" Myth – Why every dog owner producing a litter is, in fact, a breeder, and the responsibilities that come with it. ✅ Maiden Matings & Novice Pairings – The challenges of inexperienced dogs and owners attempting natural...

In this episode of The Breeders Brew, Sara and Isobel tackle real questions from online whelping groups, separating sound advice from questionable practices and adding their own expert insights! Topics Discussed: ✅ How old is too old for a first litter? – The science, ethics, and real-life experiences behind deciding the best age for a female dog’s first breeding. ✅ Whelping setups gone wrong! – A breeder’s dilemma: managing two French Bulldog litters of different ages with only one incubato...

This episode of The Breeders Brew brings a fresh and insightful perspective on breeding as we welcome a special guest—Isobel’s partner, Harry! 🐾 Having zero dog experience before meeting Isobel, Harry shares his journey from a complete novice to an involved breeder and responsible stud dog owner. His learning curve has been steep, but his insights shed light on the realities of breeding from a beginner’s standpoint. If you’ve ever wanted to hear a newcomer’s take on breeding, owning a stud do...

Welcome back to another Q&A session on The Breeders Brew! 🎉 In this episode, Sara and Isobel dive into some of the most common—and sometimes downright baffling—breeding questions found in online forums. Their goal? To cut through misinformation and provide honest, experience-backed advice to help responsible breeders make the best decisions for their dogs and litters. This episode is packed with practical guidance, breeder insights, and honest discussions on essential breeding topics. We'...

Welcome to the highly anticipated Series Two of The Breeders Brew! 🎉 In this episode, Sara and Isobel reflect on the incredible feedback from Series One, highlighting the global interest in responsible breeding and the value of learning through podcasts. Series Two takes a new interactive Q&A format, tackling common (and sometimes shocking) breeding questions posted in Facebook groups. The goal? To cut through misinformation and offer real, experience-backed advice that helps breeders mak...

In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the intricacies of caring for newborns, emphasising the importance of a strong start in life and addressing common congenital conditions. Sara challenges the notion of the "runt of the litter", shedding light on the prevalence of puppy abnormalities. Isobel shares how folic acid supplementation can reduce the risk of cleft palate by 48% and the ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of cleft puppies at birth. Explore the nuances of fading p...