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!
Better Breeder Chronicles
Claim This Podcastby Better Breeder Institute
51 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
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!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/8/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Better Breeder Chronicles
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
July 21, 2026
Meet Chris & Tom Levy: Master Breeders of Abiqua Pumik
<p><strong>Chris</strong> and <strong>Tom Levy</strong> of Abiqua Pumik didn't just breed exceptional Pumis. They helped build the breed's foundation in the United States.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Chris and Tom share the journey, years of study, repeated trips across Europe, and a deep commitment to preservation breeding.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What you'll discover:</strong></p><ul><li>Why the world's best breeders study dogs, not just pedigrees.</li><li>How to balance genetic diversity with consistent breed quality.</li><li>How to evaluate pedigrees, structure, and breed type with confidence.</li><li>Why preserving a breed takes more than producing champion dogs.</li><li>What it means to become a "Level 7 Breeder" and build a lasting legacy.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Great dogs don't happen by chance. They are the result of thoughtful decisions, years of study, and breeders who never stop learning. Chris and Tom explain what that process really looks like.</p><p><br></p><p>Watch now and discover what separates good breeders from truly great ones.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p>(00:00) Intro</p><p>(02:26) The Beginning of the Breeding Journey</p><p>(08:55) Falling in Love with the Pumi</p><p>(11:06) Learning from Europe's Best Breeders</p><p>(15:08) Creating the Ideal Pumi</p><p>(17:02) Why Pedigrees Matter</p><p>(20:00) Breeding for Health and Diversity</p><p>(24:50) Building a Better Bloodline</p><p>(27:48) Inside the Pumi Breed Standard</p><p>(31:45) The Dogs That Built Their Legacy</p><p>(40:11) The Next Chapter for Abiqua</p><p>(41:28) Today's Biggest Breeding Challenges</p><p>(44:47) How to Become a Better Breeder</p><p>(48:07) Redefining Success in Breeding</p><p>(50:44) Protecting the Future of the Pumi</p><p>(52:49) The Legacy They Hope to Leave</p><p>(54:40) One Lesson Every Breeder Should Learn</p><p><br></p><p><strong>This episode is brought to you by:</strong></p><p><strong>EZWhelp —</strong> https://www.ezwhelp.com/</p><p><br></p><p><strong>With additional support from:</strong></p><p><strong>Ororo — </strong>https://www.ororowear.com/</p><p><strong>Cherrybrook Pet Supplies —</strong> https://www.cherrybrook.com/</p><p><br></p><p>#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #Westminster #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #BestInShow #AbiquaPumik #Pumik #ChrisAndTomLevy #PumikBreeders #FCIPumiStandard #AKCPumik </p>
July 14, 2026
Meet Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Master Breeder of VJK-Myst Kennels German Shorthaired Pointers
<p>Learn how <strong>Valerie Nunes-Atkinson,</strong> along with partner <strong>Yvonne Hassler-Deterding,</strong> built VJK-Myst Kennels into one of the most respected German Shorthaired Pointer breeding programs in the world. </p><p><br></p><p>Valerie shares the breeding philosophy, mentorship, and long-term vision that shaped generations of top-winning dogs.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In this episode, you'll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>The importance of linebreeding and judicious outcrossing in a successful breeding program.</li><li>Why mentoring young breeders is so important for the future of purebred dogs.</li><li>The dogs that built the VJK-Myst legacy.</li><li>The biggest challenges breeders face today.</li><li>Why tenacity and dedication are required for success</li></ul><p><br></p><p>If you're passionate about purebred dogs and achieving success in a breeding program, you won't want to miss this conversation.</p><p><br></p><p>Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, share it with fellow breeders, and leave your thoughts in the comments.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p>(00:00) Intro</p><p>(02:17) How It All Began</p><p>(04:04) The Westminster Dream</p><p>(06:30) Winning Best Junior At Westminster</p><p>(10:23) Mentors Who Shaped Her Career</p><p>(16:38) Mentoring The Next Generation</p><p>(23:20) Building A Linebreeding Program</p><p>(26:33) Successful Outcrossing Strategies</p><p>(30:13) The Art And Science Of Breeding</p><p>(32:00) Creating The VJK-Myst Bloodline</p><p>(35:03) The Ideal German Shorthaired Pointer</p><p>(40:56) The Dogs That Built VJK-Myst</p><p>(49:20) The Future Of The Breeding Program</p><p>(50:58) Why Breeders Should Be Proud</p><p>(57:58) Educating Puppy Buyers</p><p>(1:01:05) The Biggest Challenge Facing Breeders</p><p>(1:05:44) A Vision For Future Breeders</p><p>(1:10:03) What Valerie Is Most Proud Of</p><p>(1:12:47) Advice For Aspiring Breeders</p><p>(1:16:30) Where To Learn More About VJK-Myst</p><p><br></p><p><strong>This episode is brought to you by:</strong></p><p><strong>EZWhelp —</strong> https://www.ezwhelp.com/</p><p><br></p><p><strong>With additional support from:</strong></p><p><strong>Ororo —</strong> https://www.ororowear.com/</p><p><strong>Cherrybrook Pet Supplies —</strong> https://www.cherrybrook.com/</p><p><br></p><p>#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #Westminster #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #BestInShow #ValerieNunes-Atkinson #GermanShorthairedPointer #VJK_MystKennels #GSP #VJK_Myst #GSPBreeding #GSPBloodlines #GSPBreeder </p>
July 7, 2026
Outcrossing: Not Just One & Done
<p>Outcrossing is one of the most talked-about and misunderstood topics in dog breeding.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the Better Breeder Roundtable, Kathy Rust is joined by renowned master breeder Bill Shelton (Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgis) and Lisa Braun (Mischief Papillons & Miniature American Shepherds) for a practical discussion on when, why, and how breeders should use outcrossing to improve their programs.</p><p><br></p><p>Bill explains why outcrossing is not a shortcut or a fix for problems, but a long-term strategy for enrichment, to capture specific virtues while preserving type, health, and consistency.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In this conversation, you'll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>Why strong breeding programs are built through linebreeding first</li><li>The biggest mistake breeders make after an outcross</li><li>How to identify the traits worth introducing into your line</li><li>Why studying families of dogs matters more than studying individual winners</li><li>How fertility, litter size, temperament, and health influence breeding decisions</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Whether you're new to breeding or refining an established program, this episode is packed with practical insights and decades of breeding experience.</p><p><br></p><p>Watch now and learn how successful breeders use outcrossing to strengthen their bloodlines for generations to come.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p>(00:00) Intro</p><p>(00:45) What Is Outcrossing?</p><p>(06:14) Linebreeding vs Inbreeding vs Outcrossing</p><p>(10:07) Why Consistency Matters</p><p>(15:16) When Should You Outcross?</p><p>(18:23) The Biggest Outcrossing Mistake</p><p>(22:08) Breeding Back Into the Line</p><p>(25:53) Advice for New Breeders</p><p>(31:50) Why Linebreeding Comes First</p><p>(33:22) A Real Outcrossing Example</p><p>(38:34) Genetic Testing and Health</p><p>(41:39) Outcrossing to Capture Virtues</p><p>(44:05) Reproductive Health Matters</p><p>(51:44) Choosing the Right Outcross</p><p>(56:28) Is It Better to Buy a New Dog?</p><p>(58:10) Why National Specialties Matter</p><p>(01:04:19) When to Use an Outcross</p><p>(01:09:37) Final Takeaways</p><p><br></p><p><strong>This episode is brought to you by:</strong></p><p><strong>EZWhelp</strong> — https://www.ezwhelp.com/</p><p><br></p><p>#PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #BetterBreederRoundtable #KathyRust #Outcrossing #BillShelton #LisaBraun #PurebredDogs #CanineGenetics #ResponsibleBreeding #DogBreeder #BreedingPrograms #BreedingStrategy #Bloodlines #Pedigrees</p>
51 total episodes available
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Will Alexander's Dog Show Tips
Will Alexander
The Tack Box
Tyson
Pure Dog Talk
Laura Reeves
The Dog Show Drive
Will Alexander
The Conformation Conversation
Vicki Ronchette
The Marty & Laura Show
Laura Reeves & Dr. Marty Greer
Dateline NBC
NBC News
Still Standing
The Canine Chronicle
48 Hours
CBS News
The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast
Julie Swan
The Good Dog Pod
Good Dog
Ear Hustle
Ear Hustle & Radiotopia
Dateline: True Crime Weekly
NBC News
Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce
Wave
Betrayal
iHeartPodcasts | Glass Podcasts
Deep-dive analytics for Better Breeder Chronicles
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Better Breeder Chronicles?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.