Welcome back! This week, McKay travels back in time to meet Seaman, a Newfoundland whose life helped define the breed and earn their place in history.

Sources:

• Lewis & Clark. “Lewis’s Dog Seaman.” Accessed June 26, 2026. https://lewis-clark.org/people/seaman/lewiss-dog-seaman/.
• Lewis & Clark. “Seaman’s Creek.” Accessed June 26, 2026. https://lewis-clark.org/the-trail/road-to-the-buffalo/seamans-creek/.
• Lewis and Clark in Kentucky. “Seaman’s Fate.” Accessed June 26, 2026. https://lewisandclarkinkentucky.org/kentucky-connections/seamans-fate/.
• National Park Service. “Seaman.” Accessed June 26, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/jeff/learn/historyculture/seaman.html.
• National Park Service. “Seaman.” Accessed June 26, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/people/seaman.htm.
• National Park Service. “Seaman’s Contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.” Accessed June 26, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/seaman-s-contributions-to-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition.htm.
• Wikipedia contributors. “Lewis and Clark Expedition.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 26, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition.
• Wikipedia contributors. “Newfoundland Dog.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 26, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_dog#Famous_Newfoundlands.
• Wikipedia contributors. “Seaman (Dog).” Wikipedia. Accessed June 26, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaman_(dog).

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Think Newfoundlands are just giant, fluffy couch potatoes? Think again. Chelsey Montgomery-Gusta with Knallhart Academy joins us to uncover the truth about one of the most beloved gentle giants in the dog world. From their fascinating history as hardworking water dogs to their incredible swimming and lifesaving abilities, we explore what makes the Newfoundland so special. We’ll dive into the breed’s temperament, trainability, versatility, and what it’s really like to live with a dog this big. Is the Newfoundland the gentle giant you’ve been looking for, or is this larger-than-life breed not the right fit for you? Tune in to find out!

Sources:

American Kennel Club. “How to Train a Newfoundland Puppy: Timeline & Schedule.” American Kennel Club. Accessed June 26, 2026.

American Kennel Club. “Newfoundland.” American Kennel Club. Accessed June 26, 2026.

American Kennel Club. “Newfoundland Breed History: From Fishermen’s Helpers to Loyal Guardians.” American Kennel Club. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Newfoundland.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. “Indigenous Peoples.” Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. “Newfoundland and Labrador Animals.” Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Love Newfoundlands. “Common Health Issues in Newfoundland Dogs.” Love Newfoundlands. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Modern Dog. “The Newfoundland.” Modern Dog Magazine. Accessed June 26, 2026.

My Brown Newfies. “10 Common Behavior Issues Seen With the Newfoundland Dog.” My Brown Newfies. August 16, 2018. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Newfoundland Club of America. “Newfoundland Club of America.” Newfoundland Club of America. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Nylabone. “Newfoundland Dog Breed.” Nylabone. Accessed June 26, 2026.

Welcome back! Today we're discussing a topic that many new and expecting parents experience but few people talk about: postpartum and perinatal pet aversion.

After hearing from listeners and collecting stories from social media, we dive into the wide range of experiences people have had with their pets during pregnancy and after bringing home a new baby. We explore why these feelings may happen, how common they really are, and the emotional challenges that can come with them.

Whether you're currently experiencing pet aversion, expecting a baby, or simply want to be prepared, this episode offers practical tips to help you set yourself up for success before and after your little one arrives. Most importantly, we hope to remind you that you're not alone, and that these feelings don't make you a bad pet owner or parent.

Sources:

• Brubaker, Lauren, et al. "Pet Ownership During Pregnancy and Mental Health." Social Science & Medicine 318 (2023): 115624. Accessed June 6, 2026. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622005226.
• Gidron, Yael, et al. "Disgust Sensitivity During Pregnancy and Postpartum." Scientific Reports 13 (2023). Accessed June 6, 2026. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-31060-6.
• Reddit. "Postpartum Pet Aversion." r/beyondthebump. Accessed June 6, 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/beyondthebump/comments/1se1lj0/postpartum_pet_aversion/.
• PopSugar. "I Hated My Dog After Having a Baby—and I Never Saw It Coming." Accessed June 6, 2026. https://www.popsugar.com/family/hate-dog-after-having-baby-49339540.
• Parents. "Why New Parents Sometimes Resent Their Pets." Accessed June 6, 2026. https://www.parents.com/why-new-parents-sometimes-resent-their-pets-11760331.
• Applebaum, Judith W., et al. "The Relationship Between Pet Ownership During the Perinatal Period and Perceived Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 19 (2021): 10114. Accessed June 6, 2026. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10114.

Welcome back! This week, Seaira travels back in time to meet Boye the Witch Dog, a poodle whose life helped define the breed and earn their place in history.

Sources:

• "Boy (dog)." Wikipedia. Last modified April 12, 2026. Accessed June 21, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_(dog).
• University College, Oxford. "A White Dogge Called Boye." Accessed June 21, 2026. https://www.univ.ox.ac.uk/news/a-white-dogge-called-boye/.
• Historia Magazine. "Good Boye or Devil Dog? Prince Rupert's Poodle." Accessed June 21, 2026. https://historiamag.com/good-boye-or-devil-dog-prince-ruperts-poodle/.
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. "English Civil Wars." Accessed June 21, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/event/English-Civil-Wars

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Think Poodles are just fancy haircuts and dog shows? Think again. Mairin Hershik with Flourish Kennels joins us to uncover the truth about one of the most intelligent and versatile breeds in the world. From their fascinating history to their personalities, trainability, and the origins of their glamorous reputation, we cover everything you need to know to decide whether a Poodle might be the perfect dog for you, including exploring the breed's history, temperament, versatility, and unique qualities. Be sure to catch Part 2 next week, where we continue the conversation!

Sources:

​American Kennel Club. Official Standard of the Poodle. PDF. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Poodle.pdf.

​American Kennel Club. “Poodle (Standard).” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-standard/.

​American Kennel Club. “The History of the Poodle.” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/poodle-history/.

​Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. “CHIC Programs: Browse by Breed—Poodle (Miniature).” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=PO/MIN.

​Poodle Club of America. “Poodle Club of America.” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://poodleclubofamerica.org/.

​Wikipedia contributors. “Poodle.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle.

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Think Poodles are just fancy haircuts and dog shows? Think again. Mairin Hershik with Flourish Kennels joins us to uncover the truth about one of the most intelligent and versatile breeds in the world. From their fascinating history to their personalities, trainability, and the origins of their glamorous reputation, we cover everything you need to know to decide whether a Poodle might be the perfect dog for you, including exploring the breed's history, temperament, versatility, and unique qualities. Be sure to catch Part 2 next week, where we continue the conversation!

Sources:

• ​American Kennel Club. Official Standard of the Poodle. PDF. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Poodle.pdf.
• ​American Kennel Club. “Poodle (Standard).” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-standard/.
• ​American Kennel Club. “The History of the Poodle.” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/poodle-history/.
• ​Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. “CHIC Programs: Browse by Breed—Poodle (Miniature).” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=PO/MIN.
• ​Poodle Club of America. “Poodle Club of America.” Accessed June 14, 2026. https://poodleclubofamerica.org/.
• ​Wikipedia contributors. “Poodle.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle.

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Bringing home a new baby is a life-changing experience, and for some pet owners, it can also bring unexpected feelings toward the animals they once adored. In this episode, we explore perinatal and postpartum pet aversion. This topic is a rarely discussed but surprisingly common experience that can occur during pregnancy and after childbirth.

We'll discuss what perinatal pet aversion is, why it may happen, the emotional challenges it can create, and how hormones, stress, sleep deprivation, and changing family dynamics all play a role. Most importantly, we'll share practical strategies for managing these feelings while maintaining a safe, healthy environment for both your family and your pets.

Whether you're an expecting parent, a new parent, a veterinary professional, or simply want to better understand the human-animal bond during major life transitions, this episode offers compassionate insight, evidence-based information, and reassurance that you're not alone.

Sources:

• Mughal, Maham K., et al. "Pet Ownership During Pregnancy and Mental Health." *Social Science & Medicine*. Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Fessler, Daniel M. T., et al. "Disgust Sensitivity During Pregnancy and Postpartum." *Scientific Reports* 13 (2023). Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Parents. "Why New Parents Sometimes Resent Their Pets." Accessed June 6, 2026.
• PopSugar. "Why I Started Hating My Dog After Having a Baby." Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Reddit. "Postpartum Pet Aversion." *r/beyondthebump*. Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Wells, Deborah L., et al. "The Relationship Between Companion Animals and Human Health: Current Evidence and Future Directions." *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health* 18, no. 19 (2021): 10114. Accessed June 6, 2026.

Welcome back! This week, McKay travels back in time to meet Sergeant Stubby, an American Staffordshire Terrier whose life helped define the breed and earn their place in history.

Sources:

American Kennel Club. "American Staffordshire Terrier.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

Connecticut History. "A True Dog of War: Sergeant Stubby.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

History. "World War I.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History. "Sergeant Stubby.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

State of Connecticut, Department of Veterans Affairs. "Stubby the Military Dog.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

Wikipedia. "No Man's Land.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

Wikipedia. "Sergeant Stubby.". Accessed July 6, 2026.

Welcome back to the Breed Files podcast! Joining us today Mary Alverson, a guest with extensive experience with the breed. The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the most misunderstood dog breeds in the world. In this episode, we explore the history of the AmStaff, from its early origins to its development as a devoted companion. We'll discuss the breed's temperament, intelligence, athleticism, and unwavering loyalty, as well as the challenges it has faced due to misconceptions and breed stereotypes.

Whether you're a longtime AmStaff owner, considering adding one to your family, or simply curious about this remarkable breed, join us as we uncover what makes the American Staffordshire Terrier a confident, affectionate, and deeply devoted canine companion.

Sources:

American Kennel Club. “American Staffordshire Terrier.” Accessed May 30, 2026. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier/.

American Kennel Club. “American Staffordshire Terrier History: The AmStaff.” Accessed May 30, 2026. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier-history-amstaff/.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Pit Bull.” Accessed May 30, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/animal/pit-bull.

Tempest American Staffordshire Terriers. “Home.” Accessed May 30, 2026. https://www.tempestamstaffs.com/.

The Staffordshire Terrier Club of America. “Home.” Accessed May 30, 2026. https://amstaff.org/.

Wikipedia Contributors. “American Staffordshire Terrier.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed May 30, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Staffordshire_Terrier.

YouTube. “American Staffordshire Terrier Video.” Accessed May 30, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7_CjzH2TiY.

Welcome back to The Breed Files Podcast! This week, we're taking a closer look at the Epagneul Breton (aka French Brittany). The Epagnuel Breton is a high-energy sporting breed beloved for its intelligence, versatility, and unwavering devotion to its people. Whether they're working a field, competing in dog sports, or tagging along on your latest adventure, Brittanys approach life at full speed and with a wagging tail.

Sources:

Club de l'Épagneul Breton of the United States. “Home.” Accessed May 23, 2026. https://www.ceb-us.com/.

Pheasants Forever. “American Brittany or French Brittany?” Accessed May 23, 2026. https://www.pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Nancy-Anisfield/American-Brittany-or-French-Brittany.aspx?feed=articles.

United Kennel Club. “Breed Standards: Epagneul Breton.” Accessed May 23, 2026. https://www.ukcdogs.com/epagneul-breton