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!
Meet David Samuelson: Masteer Breeder of Dashing Whippets
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 Whippet should be.
Discover why David believes in:
Putting health first, even when it means rebuilding your bloodline.
Building a breeding program around strong mothers.
Preserving athleticism alongside success in the show ring.
Choosing breed type over winning fads.
Finding collaborators who will encourage you and challenge your decisions.
Watch the full episode for David’s lessons on breeding the whole dog and staying true to your vision.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:37) Meet David Samuelson
(02:27) Getting Started in Whippets
(07:08) Preserving Whippet Athleticism
(08:08) Learning from Mentors
(12:01) Rebuilding After Heart Problems
(14:17) Building on Strong Bitch Lines
(17:01) Facing Health Setbacks
(18:13) The Dashing Whippet
(20:44) Notable Dashing Dogs
(23:09) Finding the Right Stud Dog
(26:41) Breeding Toward the Standard
(28:27) Future Breeding Plans
(29:08) Building a Strong Breed Community
(34:29) Lessons from Other Breeds
(36:05) Collaborating with Fellow Breeders
(38:39) Goals and Unexpected Success
(40:36) Evaluating Dogs Beyond Fads
(45:44) Why Breeding Takes Patience
(46:52) The Future of Whippets
(48:17) Proudest Moments
(49:28) The Dashing Legacy
(51:06) Advice for Aspiring Breeders
This episode is brought to you by:
EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/ (https://www.ezwhelp.com/)
Take Our Quiz: Build Your Whelping Setup in 60 Seconds (https://quiz.ezwhelp.com/)
With additional support from:
Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/ (https://www.ororowear.com/)
Cherrybrook Pet Supplies — https://www.cherrybrook.com/ (https://www.cherrybrook.com/)
Revival Animal Health — https://www.revivalanimal.com/ (https://www.revivalanimal.com/)
#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #BreedStandard #AKCDogShows #WestminsterDogShow #BestInShow #DavidSamuelson #DashingWhippets #WhippetBreeding #AmericanWhippetClub
6 Oct 2026
Linebreeding
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 breeders understand and build their lines over generations.
They explore how many generations it can take to establish type, Lloyd Brackett’s breeding theory, triangle breeding theory, the importance of the sire & dam line, COI numbers, repeat breedings, and knowing when it may be time to outcross.
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Here's what this conversation covers:
- Defining linebreeding as intentional genetic direction, not simply breeding related dogs
- Why starting with a linebred dog can benefit new breeders
- How many generations it can take to establish type and style
- Lloyd Brackett’s theory and common mistakes
- Why the dam line deserves equal attention
- The trap of keeping mediocre bitches
- Breeding for the whole package, not just one trait
- Starting tight and working your way out
- Linebreeding until you need to enhance
- Understanding COI numbers in context
- Triangle Breeding Theory
- Why tail-male and tail-female consistency matter
- The case for repeat breedings
- Building a linebreeding plan based on phenotype and pedigree
Whether you're planning your first breeding, refining an established line, or thinking about where to take your program next, this episode is a deep dive into building bloodlines with purpose, patience, and predictability.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to the Better Breeder Roundtable
00:57 What Is Linebreeding and How Breeders Learn It
02:07 When Inbreeding Reveals the Skeletons
04:38 Should New Breeders Start With a Linebred Dog?
07:04 How Many Generations It Takes to Set Type
11:55 Planning a Linebreeding Step-by-Step
16:57 Phenotype vs. Genotype in Linebreeding
21:20 Understanding the Bracket Theory the Right Way
25:54 Why the Dam Line Deserves Equal Attention
28:29 The Trap of Keeping Mediocre Bitches
33:08 Breeding for the Whole Package, Not One Trait
39:19 Start Tight, Then Work Your Way Out
44:32 Linebreed Until You Need to Enhance
46:59 Making Sense of COI Numbers
55:41 Triangle Breeding Theory
58:35 Why Tail-Male and Tail-Female Consistency Matter
01:04:27 The Case for Repeat Breedings
01:15:28 Building a Linebreeding Plan
01:16:27 Final Takeaways
This episode is brought to you by:
EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/
Take Our Quiz: Build Your Whelping Setup in 60 Seconds
Follow the full Better Breeder Roundtable series here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDjcPjyNN2ik
Main Hashtags:
#PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #BetterBreederRoundtable #KathyRust #Linebreeding #Inbreeding #AndreaJordanLane #LexaRichmond #LisaBraun #PurebredDogs #InbreedingCOI #COIDogBreeding #TriangleBreedingTheory #Outcrossing
29 Sept 2026
Meet Jessica MacMillan: Master Breeder of Paisley Dalmatians
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 bred
How Jessica preserved her program after a devastating inherited health issue
Why breed type, temperament, health, and versatility must work together
How the right stud dog can transform an entire breeding program
Why giving promising newcomers excellent dogs is essential to the future of purebred dogs
Jessica explains how she makes difficult breeding decisions, responds to health problems, and produces Dalmatians that can excel in both shows and dog sports.
Watch the full episode to discover what it takes to build a breeding legacy that lasts.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Never Give Up: The Paisley Philosophy
(02:48) Growing Up in the Dog Show World
(10:25) The Difference Between Showable and Breedable
(11:21) Lessons From a Lifetime of Mentors
(15:03) Building the Paisley Foundation
(17:27) Linebreeding, Outcrossing, and Knowing Your Lines
(19:06) When a Bloodline Must Go
(21:41) Understanding Copper Storage Disease
(22:38) What Makes a True Dalmatian?
(23:28) The Hardest Traits to Breed For
(25:04) The Dogs That Built Paisley
(31:58) Breeding for Versatility
(34:34) Balancing Breed Type, Temperament, and Performance
(35:51) How Jessica Selects Puppies
(37:24) When the Right Stud Dog Changes Everything
(38:18) The Future of Paisley Dalmatians
(39:56) Giving New Breeders the Right Start
(44:21) Why Breeders Need to Work Together
(46:28) Don’t Breed to the Popular Stud Dog
(49:02) Challenges Facing the Dalmatian Breed
(50:15) Why Jessica Is Hopeful About the Future
(51:06) What Purebred Breeders Need to Focus On
(53:02) Building a 13-Generation Legacy
(54:12) Never Give Up: Jessica’s Advice
(55:02) What Makes a Master Breeder?
(56:49) Learn More About Paisley Dalmatians
(57:24) Final Thoughts
This episode is brought to you by:
EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/ (https://www.ezwhelp.com/)
Take Our Quiz: Build Your Whelping Setup in 60 Seconds (https://quiz.ezwhelp.com/)
With additional support from:
Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/ (https://www.ororowear.com/)
Cherrybrook Pet Supplies — https://www.cherrybrook.com/ (https://www.cherrybrook.com/)
Revival Animal Health — https://www.revivalanimal.com/ (https://www.revivalanimal.com/)
#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #BreedStandard #AKCDogShows #WestminsterDogShow #BestInShow #WestminsterKennelClub #AKCNationalChampionship #PaisleyDalmatians #JessicaMacMillan #DalmatianBreeding #DalmatianBloodlines #CopperStorageDisease #DalmatianGenetics
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
19 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
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