Kathy Lorentzen of Ocoee English Springer Spaniels shares the mindset behind more than 50 years of intentional, disciplined breeding. From her foundation dogs to creating her own bitch lines, she explains what it really takes to protect a breed.

You’ll learn:

• Why your mental picture shapes every breeding decision
• How linebreeding creates consistency and type
• Why chasing easy ring wins weakens quality
• How to handle setbacks without losing focus
• What today’s breeders are getting wrong

Kathy speaks honestly about mentorship, heartbreak, legacy, and refusing to settle for mediocrity.

▶️ Watch now and rethink what it means to breed with conviction.

Timestamps:

00:20 The Ocoee Legacy Begins

01:34 Growing Up With Purebred Dogs

03:32 First Golden Retriever and Mentors

05:56 The Dog That Changed Everything

08:44 Legendary Michigan Breeding Programs

12:07 Building a Signature Ocoee Type

15:13 Starting a Bloodline the Right Way

17:44 The Power of Linebreeding

19:15 Pedigrees, Health, and Tough Decisions

25:03 Life with a House Full of Dogs

27:15 The Perfect Springer Silhouette

29:13 Heartbreak, Parvo, and Hard Losses

33:25 Handling Setbacks Without Drama

34:47 The Dogs That Built Ocoee

42:54 George and the Modern Ocoee Impact

45:04 Too Many Dog Shows, Too Little Quality

47:42 What Success Means Today

50:10 Evolution of Visions and Goals

52:05 Building a Loyal Pet Buyer Base

53:19 The Biggest Threat to the Breed

55:07 Hope for the Next Generation

55:53 Master Breeders She Respects

57:38 What Kathy Is Most Proud Of

58:03 One Lesson for New Breeders

59:54 How She Wants to Be Remembered

1:00:21 Where to Learn More About Ocoee

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #PurebredDogs #AKCDogShows #KathyLorentzen #OcoeeEnglishSpringerSpaniels #EnglishSpringerSpaniel #EnglishSpringerSpanielBreeder

Lori Pelletier of Avalon Norfolk Terriers didn’t just build a successful breeding program. She shaped an entire breed’s future.

In this conversation, Lori shares the real story behind Avalon Norfolk Terriers: the patience, setbacks, mentors, and hard decisions that turned early dreams into a lasting legacy.

You’ll discover:

- How Lori went from a first-time owner to one of the most influential Norfolk Terrier breeders in the world

- Why mentorship, not competition, is the backbone of a sustainable breeding program

- The truth about linebreeding, outcrossing, and preserving genetic health in a small breed

- How to evaluate puppies, pedigrees, and littermates beyond surface-level wins

- What today’s breeders must do to protect purebred dogs for future generations

👉 Watch now to learn how vision, discipline, and collaboration create a legacy that lasts.

Timestamps:

01:57 Lori’s Early Journey With Dogs

06:59 Early Mentorship Influence

07:56 First Major Setbacks and Breakthroughs

10:32 Defining the Avalon Look

12:18 Foundation Bloodlines

13:53 Linebreeding Philosophy

16:48 Pedigree Research Approach

20:01 Stud Dogs and Litter Evaluation

21:02 Outcrossing Challenges

22:33 Managing a Breeding Program

24:36 Puppy Selection Process

28:10 Hardest Breed Virtues to Maintain

28:56 Notable Avalon Dogs Overview

30:41 Zack’s Impact on the Breed

34:48 Elton and Major Wins

39:05 Little’s Career and Versatility

42:27 Future of Avalon Kennels

45:35 Breeding Challenges and Losses

48:28 Mentorship Philosophy

52:02 Supporting Breeders and the Breed

54:27 Collaboration Over Competition

57:46 Role of the Parent Clubs

1:00:52 Evolving Breeding Vision

1:01:32 Reaching Pet Puppy Buyers

1:02:16 Optimism for the Breed

1:03:07 Breeder Priorities Today

1:03:49 What Lori Is Most Proud Of

1:04:41 Breeders She Admires

1:06:44 Final Advice: Don’t Give Up

1:07:40 Legacy of Avalon Norfolk Terriers

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #PurebredDogs #AKCDogShows #LoriPelletier #NorfolkTerrier #AvalonNorfolkTerriers #NorfolkTerrierBreeder #NorfolkTerrierBloodlines #AKCTerrierBreeds

Pebbles Run Samoyeds and master breeder Amy Kiell-Green built a world-class breeding program by prioritizing the dog, the breed, and long-term integrity over trends, titles, and quick wins.

In this episode of Better Breeder Chronicles, Amy Kiell-Green shares the story behind Pebbles Run Samoyeds, from her early start in purebred dogs, to the incredible mentors she’s had in her life, to producing legendary winners known for health, longevity, and unmistakable breed type. With decades of experience, she offers honest insight into what it takes to build a program that lasts.

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Why pedigree and consistency matter more than chasing what’s popular

• How mentors outside the breed shaped her vision

• The hardest Samoyed traits to preserve and why they matter

• How to handle criticism and stay true to your program

• Why health and longevity always come before ribbons

👉 Watch now and learn what it really means to breed for the love of the dog and the future of the breed.

Timestamps:

00:42 Amy Green and Pebbles Run

01:50 How Amy got started with Samoyeds

03:47 Becoming a breeding

04:31 Early mentors and outside influences

09:19 Defining the Pebbles Run vision

10:25 Early breeding choices and risks

11:52 The role of pedigree

12:39 Linebreeding philosophy

13:37 Managing dogs at every life stage

15:59 What a Pebbles Run Samoyed looks like

18:57 Hardest traits to maintain

20:12 Coat texture and color

21:41 Challenges and criticism in breeding

25:52 Dogs that defined the program

35:12 Future direction of the program

38:05 How the vision has evolved

38:37 Importance of breeder collaboration

42:45 Connecting with puppy buyers

44:32 Biggest challenges facing the breed

47:12 What breeders should focus on today

49:22 The Show & Go generation

55:36 Maintaining quality over generations

57:06 Breeders who Amy admires most

58:19 What Amy is most proud of

1:01:03 Advice to aspiring breeders

1:02:34 How Pebbles Run wants to be remembered

1:03:12 How to connect with Pebbles Run

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #AmyKiellGreen #PebblesRunSamoyed #SamoyedDogs #SamoyedBreeder #AKCSamoyedBreeders #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterKennelClub #WKCDogShow #WestminsterWinner

Behind every great Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a keen eye, endless patience, and a breeding plan.

Janice Hayes of Stellar PBGVs shares the hard-earned lessons behind her journey from junior handler to handling assistant to Westminster Best In Show-winning handler, and now a world-class breeder.

You’ll learn:

- Why patience is non-negotiable in a successful PBGV breeding program

- How important the professional handler-breeder relationship is

- What pedigree knowledge really means in practice

- Why timing can matter more than talent

- How trust and collaboration shape lasting breeding legacies

This is a rare, honest look at the mindset behind world-class breeder — from the ring to the whelping box.

👉 Watch the full episode to hear the Stellar Story firsthand.

Timestamps:

00:30 Introduction to Janice Hayes

01:45 First inspiration and junior handling years

08:13 From handler to breeder mindset

17:53 Choosing the PBGV as her breed

24:10 Building the foundation breeding lines

33:56 Small breed challenges and pedigree depth

39:33 Creating distance within a small breed

45:11 Learning pedigrees by hands-on experience

52:46 Buddy Holly and the Westminster win

57:43 Incorporating Buddy Holly into breeding

1:01:16 How pedigree guides breeding decisions

1:08:39 Defining the ideal PBGV type

1:11:42 The hardest breed traits to attain

1:15:10 Future direction of the breeding program

1:19:14 Handler and breeder relationship

1:23:50 Why breeders must focus on the next generation

1:27:54 Educating the public and using social media

1:31:01 The most significant challenge in the breed

1:32:44 What should breeders focus on today

1:41:47 Breeders who shaped her philosophy

1:44:00 What is Janice most proud of

1:58:02 Advice for aspiring breeders

2:02:01 Legacy of Stellar PBGVs

2:03:38 Where to find Janice

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #JaniceHayes #StellarPBGVs #PetitBassetGriffonVendeen #PBGVDogs #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterKennelClub #WKCDogShow #WestminsterWinner

What did it take Armando Angelbello of Marlex Miniature Pinschers to build a legendary breeding program? It’s a story shaped by mentorship, vision, and decades of disciplined decision-making.

Armando reflects on how a chance discovery of the Miniature Pinscher led to mentorship under a breed icon, a record-setting 15 National Specialty wins, and the creation of a recognizable Marlex type known around the world.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

- Why mentorship mattered more than pedigrees alone

- How he balances phenotype, genotype, and movement in breeding decisions

- The biggest challenges facing Miniature Pinschers today

- Why breeder collaboration is essential for the future

- What aspiring breeders must focus on to build lasting quality

Insightful, honest, and grounded in decades of experience, this episode is a must-watch for breeders, exhibitors, and anyone passionate about purebred dogs.

👉 Watch now and learn from one of the breed’s most respected voices.

Timestamps:

00:36 Meet Armando Angelbello

01:54 Early life and first miniature pinschers

09:35 Building the Marlex bloodline

22:26 Pedigree vs phenotype in breeding

24:10 Size and structure of the breeding program

27:27 Biggest challenges in breeding

31:05 Hardest traits to achieve in Min Pins

32:44 What defines a Marlex Miniature Pinscher

36:31 Future direction of the Marlex program

39:00 Bringing new people into purebred dogs

43:02 Preserving bloodlines and breed survival

45:30 Collaboration vs competition

49:33 How goals and vision evolved

50:18 Marketing to the general public

51:30 Current challenges in the sport

53:29 Reasons for optimism about the future

54:31 Maintaining quality over time

55:33 The master breeder Armando admires

57:37 What Armando is most proud of

59:17 Advice for aspiring breeders

1:00:30 How Armando wants Marlex remembered

1:01:00 Where to follow Marlex today

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows #ArmandoAngelbello #MiniaturePinschers #MarlexMinPins #MinPins #AKCMiniaturePinschers

What does it really take to build a legendary bloodline and sustain it for decades?

In this episode of Better Breeder Chronicles, Matt Stelter sits down with Bill Shelton and Steve Leyerly of Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Bill is one of the most respected thought-leader/breeders in the sport. With generations of National Specialty, Westminster, and Best in Show winners, Bill & Steve share the real story behind Coventry’s success beyond trophies and accolades.

In this conversation we cover:

- How Coventry began and the mentors who shaped their path

- Why breeding is more art than science

- What breeders often get wrong about linebreeding and outcrossing

- The importance of health, temperament, and reproduction, not just wins

- Why collaboration is critical for the future of purebred dogs

This is a grounded, experience-driven conversation packed with wisdom and some lessons you likely have never heard before.

👉 Watch now to hear the full Coventry story and take away insights that can elevate any breeding program.

Timestamps:

00:20 Bill Shelton of Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgis

02:00 Early life and first dogs

05:30 Mentors and handling career

08:45 Transition to Pembroke Welsh Corgis

10:42 First Coventry litter and foundation bitch

13:10 Origin of the Coventry kennel name

14:24 Building the early breeding program

19:41 Breeding philosophy and linebreeding

24:44 Size of the breeding program

29:56 Defining the Coventry type

37:53 Structure, movement, and anatomy

42:42 Achievements and breed impact

52:32 Key Coventry dogs and bloodlines

1:01:41 Health, reproduction, and setbacks

1:11:04 Stud dogs and genetic families

1:20:06 Mentors, handlers, and collaborators

1:27:28 Partner breeders and satellite programs

1:33:39 Challenges facing purebred dogs

1:44:57 What Bill is most proud of

1:50:45 Advice for aspiring breeders

1:54:49 Coventry’s legacy and final thoughts

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows #BillSheltonAndSteveLeyerly #PembrokeWelshCorgi #CoventryCorgis #WestminsterDogShow

What separates breeders who last from those who chase the moment?

In this episode, Karen and Clint Livingston, master breeders of Trio Brittanys, share how mentorship, discipline, and long-term thinking shaped their approach to breeding Brittanys that succeed in both the ring and the field.

You’ll learn:

- Why mentorship mattered more than early wins

- How they breed three generations ahead, not litter to litter

- Why they choose type over trends

- What responsible breeding really demands, from planning to placement

If you care about building something that lasts, not just winning today, this conversation delivers hard-earned insight.

👉 Watch now and learn what it takes to breed with purpose.

Timestamps:

00:24 Show introduction and guest overview

02:08 Clint Livingston's background in dogs

03:01 Karen Livingston’s early start in dogs

04:22 Mentorship and early influences

10:04 First steps into breeding

12:34 Dual-purpose Brittany philosophy

15:00 Influential breeders and mentors

19:28 Competing paths and early rivalry

22:51 Building the Trio breeding vision

27:02 Role of pedigree in breeding

29:34 Outcrossing strategy

30:48 Ideal Trio Brittany type

32:42 Hardest traits to achieve

35:08 Foundation dogs of the Trio

44:22 Challenges and setbacks in breeding

47:33 Collaboration over competition

51:46 Top winners and breeding decisions

54:51 Using frozen semen thoughtfully

57:25 Defining success today

59:35 Biggest challenges facing the breed

59:50 Breeders to watch and admire

1:04:19 Greatest accomplishments

1:05:51 Advice to aspiring breeders

1:07:43 How Trio wants to be remembered

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows #KarenAndClintLivingston #TrioBrittanys #BrittanySpaniels #BritannyDogBreeding

Great breeding isn’t luck. It’s decades of discipline, loss, and vision.

In this episode, Lorrie Carlton of Belle Creek Bichons opens up about a lifetime in purebred dogs, the hard lessons behind elite breeding, and the once-in-a-generation dog that changed everything.

What you’ll discover:

- How Belle Creek began and why foundations matter more than trends

- The breeding mistakes that forced difficult, ethical decisions

- Why structure and movement matter more than perfect grooming

- The full story of Flynn, the Bichon that conquered Westminster

- What today’s breeders must do to preserve bloodlines, health, and honesty

👉 Watch the full episode to hear the Belle Creek story in Lorrie’s own words.

Timestamps:

00:30 Meet Lorrie Carlton

01:53 Growing Up & Family Background

06:25 Finding Bichons &First Big Wins

13:27 Learning Structure and Grooming

18:44 Bloodlines That Built Bell Creek

40:10 The Early Rise of Flynn

48:17 Flynn’s Lasting Impact

51:34 The Westminster Story

1:01:42 Challenges Facing Today’s Breeders

1:03:56 Collaboration Over Competition

1:05:40 The Structure Problem in the Breed

1:07:00 Reaching the Public as Breeders

1:08:40 Breeders She Recommends

1:10:36 Bell Creek’s Greatest Achievements

1:11:42 Advice for Aspiring Breeders

1:12:35 Defining the Bell Creek Legacy

1:14:10 Where to Find Bell Creek

1:15:10 Final Reflections

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #LorrieCarlton #BichonFrise #BelleCreek #BellCreekBichons

In this episode, we talk with Susan Lacroix Hamil of Quiet Creek Bloodhounds, one of the most respected modern Bloodhound breeding programs.

She shares her journey from 4-H to producing Best in Show dogs and dedicated working hounds, along with the lessons she’s learned from a lifetime with the breed.

In this conversation, Susan explains:

- Why bitches are the foundation of any strong breeding program

- How mentors and bloodlines shaped Quiet Creek’s type

- The biggest challenges facing modern breeders

- Why health, temperament, and scenting ability matter more than wins

- How conservation breeders can protect the future of purebred dogs

👉 Watch now and hear the Quiet Creek story from Susan LaCroix Hamil.

Timestamps:

00:28 Meet Susan Lacroix Hamil

01:42 Early background in 4-H

04:06 First dog shows and early mentors

05:28 Influential breeders and joining the parent club

07:38 Mentorship in a small breed community

09:31 Lessons learned from master breeders

10:33 Key turning points in the breeding journey

12:24 Establishing the Quiet Creek foundation

15:56 Core breeding strategies and linebreeding

18:55 Pedigree importance and tough decisions

19:56 Outcrossing and what to look for

23:29 What a Quiet Creek Bloodhound looks like

24:32 Changes in breed type over time

25:52 Hardest traits to maintain

29:15 Notable dogs of Quiet Creek

37:49 Biggest challenges in the program

40:31 How her goals evolved over time

41:05 Defining success today

43:35 Marketing conservation breeders to the public

46:51 Concerns for the future of the breed

49:22 Reasons for optimism

50:59 Breeders she admires

52:21 What Susan is most proud of

53:21 Advice for aspiring breeders

53:58 Quiet Creek legacy

54:27 How to contact Susan

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #SusanLacroixHamil #QuietCreek #BloodhoundsDogs #QuietCreekBloodhounds

What does it really take to rebuild a dog breeding program and recapture your breed type?

In this episode, Paul and Kelley Catterson share the inside story of their work with Brussels Griffons and Australian Shepherds, from early mentorship to reviving breeding programs.

You’ll learn:

- Why linebreeding creates true consistency and why it’s becoming a lost art.

- How one legendary Griffon, Ch. Cilleine Masquerade, “Lincoln,” transformed the breed and still influences pedigrees today.

- How genetics, health testing, and temperament shape their modern breeding decisions.

- Why mentorship matters more than ever in a sport that’s struggling to retain knowledgeable breeders.

👉 Watch now to hear how these two dog experts rebuilt their bloodlines and their vision for the breeds they love.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:27 Meet Paul & Kelley Catterson

01:47 Paul’s early start in purebred dogs

03:11 Kelley’s journey into Australian Shepherds

04:00 Falling back in love with dogs and handling

05:22 Key mentors and breed foundations

07:49 Restarting the Bobcat breeding program

09:04 Linebreeding and pedigree strategy

11:31 Challenges and rebuilding Australian Shepherd lines

15:08 Kennel size and co-breeding partnerships

16:10 Ideal Brussels Griffon traits

17:55 Ideal Australian Shepherd traits

18:58 Notable Bobcat dogs and legacy bloodlines

24:12 Influential Alnair Australian Shepherds

26:58 Breeding setbacks and heartbreaks

28:18 Supporting puppy buyers and mentorship

30:55 Evolving breeding goals

32:09 Redefining success in breeding

33:13 Current challenges in pedigrees and genetics

34:23 Optimism for the future of the breeds

35:27 Preserving breed type and temperament

36:31 The most notable accomplishments

38:19 Advice for aspiring breeders

39:24 Where to learn more about their programs

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows #PaulAndKelleyCatterson #BobcatAndAlnair #BrusselsGriffons #AustralianShepherds