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 nurturing terrier litters.
✅ Why her project management mindset makes her an incredibly attentive breeder.
✅ Real-life whelping room decisions—how she trusted her gut and overruled her vet to safeguard her bitch.
✅ The challenges of managing a complex labour with a mummified pup and how Helen’s early intervention helped save the rest of the litter.
✅ Her toolkit approach to dog breeding—combining traditional farming instincts with homeopathy, nutrition, and close observation.

Helen’s wisdom bridges farming traditions with modern, holistic dog breeding. Her eye for detail, quick decision-making, and deep connection with her dogs make her a true standout in our community.

📌 Helpful Links from the Episode:

🔗 Want direct access to Sara, Isobel, and our growing network of responsible breeders?
 👉 Become a Brew Crew Member: www.breedersbrew.com/brewcrew

🔗 Interested in applying for a future Annual Breeder Award? Find out more here: www.caninefamilyplanner.com/aba

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