Better Breeder Chronicles

Andrea Jordan-Lane of Jordean spent decades building one of the most influential Brittany bloodlines in the sport and forever changing what a top-flight Brittany looks like, and this episode reveals exactly how she did it.

From showing a non-show-quality dog as a teenager to producing generations of top-winning Brittanys, Andrea shares the mentors, bloodlines, and breeding decisions that shaped the Jordean legacy.

In this episode:
How Jordean Brittanys got started
The dogs that changed Andrea’s program forever
Her approach to pedigrees and breeding decisions
What’s happening in the Brittany breed today
Advice for the next generation of breeders

If you love purebred dogs, breeding history, or hearing how great programs are built over time, you’ll gain a lot from this conversation. Watch now to hear the full Jordean story.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Andrea’s Advice to New Breeders
(00:22) Introduction to Andrea Jordan-Lane & the Jordean Brittanys Legacy
(02:16) Andrea’s Childhood Fascination With Purebred Dogs
(03:44) Her First Brittany & Discovering Dog Shows
(05:15) Learning the Sport Through Mentors & Observation
(06:57) First Brittany Specialty & Seeing Great Dogs for the First Time
(08:23) Getting Her First Purpose-Bred Brittany
(09:23) Early Success Producing Champions
(10:02) Setbacks, Persistence & Learning the Hard Way
(11:35) Meeting Dennis Jordan Through Dogs
(14:09) Andrea’s First National Specialty Experience
(15:08) How Andrea & Dennis Jordan Became Partners
(16:53) Building the Jordean Vision
(18:50) Acquiring “Jonas” & Finding the Right Type
(20:24) Beverly Millett’s Influence on the Jordean Program
(23:52) Breeding Mistakes, Genetics & Lessons Learned
(25:41) The Importance of Pedigrees, Linebreeding & Type Consistency
(29:17) Health Challenges in the Brittany Breed
(30:09) Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy & Genetic Responsibility
(35:00) Health Testing, Transparency & Protecting the Breed
(36:25) Andrea’s Mental Picture of the Ideal Brittany
(38:56) The Hardest Breed Traits to Produce Correctly
(39:40) Front Construction, Side Gait & Breed Balance
(41:10) Rear Structure, Hocks & Sound Movement
(43:51) The Foundation Dogs Behind Jordean Brittanys
(45:00) Ch. Jordan Millett Just Kiddin’ “Kitty” & Her Impact
(47:40) The Story of Ollie Begins
(50:20) Ollie’s Rise to a Record-Breaking Show Career
(53:30) Ollie’s Influence as a Sire & Producer
(55:40) Hunting Ability, Field Work & Preserving Duality
(59:40) Producing Multiple Best in Show Winners
(1:02:10) BeBe, Riley, Adam & Multi-Generation Success
(1:04:35) Which Dog Came Closest to the Breed Standard?
(1:07:14) Promoting Preservation Breeders & Purebred Dogs
(1:10:05) Educating Puppy Buyers & Supporting New Exhibitors
(1:12:37) Why Breeders Must Collaborate Instead of Compete
(1:15:22) The Importance of Staying for Group Judging & Best in Show
(1:17:14) Why Every Breeder Should Attend National Specialties
(1:18:12) The Biggest Challenges Facing the Brittany Breed Today
(1:19:30) Aging Breeders, Declining Entries & Lack of Participation
(1:20:20) Reasons Andrea Is Still Optimistic About the Future
(1:21:37) What Breeders Should Prioritize Most Today
(1:22:04) Andrea’s Proudest Accomplishments in the Breed
(1:24:44) The Legacy Andrea Hopes Jordean Leaves Behind
(1:25:15) Andrea’s Advice for Aspiring Breeders
(1:25:51) Breeders Andrea Admires & Respects Today
(1:27:19) Where to Learn More About Jordean Brittanys
(1:27:50) Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

This episode is brought to you by:
EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/

With additional support from:
Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/
Cherrybrook Pet Supplies — https://www.cherrybrook.com/

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #Westminster #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #BestInShow #AndreaJordanLane #BrittanyDogs #JordeanBrittanys #BrittanyBreederInterview #BrittanyDogBreeding #PurebredBrittanyDogs #BrittanyPedigreeBreeding #BrittanyBloodlines

Barbara Heidenreich of Fernhill Scottish Deerhounds has spent over 50 years preserving one of the world’s most historic and elegant dog breeds, and her story is unforgettable.

From cycling alone through Scotland in the 1960s and falling in love with her first deerhound at a small roadside hotel, Barbara shares the journey that built Fernhill into one of the most respected Scottish Deerhound kennels in the world.

In this episode:
Why functionality matters more than ribbons and rankings
How coursing shaped her entire breeding philosophy
The hidden danger of modern show ring trends
The legendary Fernhill dogs that repetitively made breed history
Why preserving breed type and temperament matters now more than ever
Part breed history, part masterclass in preservation breeding, this is an inspiring conversation about passion, purpose, and the soul of the Scottish Deerhound.
Watch now.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Why Deerhounds Must Be Functional, Not Just Beautiful
(00:50) Introduction to Barbara Heidenreich & Fernhill Scottish Deerhounds
(02:18) How Barbara Fell in Love with Deerhounds
(03:51) Her First Deerhound Changed Everything
(06:00) Early Mentors & Learning the Breed
(07:32) Influential UK Deerhound Breeders & Mentors
(09:10) Learning Breeding, Whelping & Puppy Evaluation
(11:12) Why Open Field Coursing Changed Her Breeding Philosophy
(12:54) The Importance of National Specialties
(14:31) The Bloodlines That Built Fernhill
(16:19) Barbara’s Breeding Philosophy & Selection Process
(17:56) Health, Temperament & Pedigree Research
(18:34) Managing a Small Purposeful Breeding Program
(19:29) Breeding for Love of the Breed, Not Ribbons
(20:58) What Defines a True Scottish Deerhound
(23:15) The Biggest Problem in Modern Deerhounds
(23:47) The Dogs That Built Fernhill
(27:21) Ch. Fernhill Phantom & Westminster History
(29:00) Opal, Wyvern & Other Historic Fernhill Dogs
(30:49) Which Fernhill Deerhound Came Closest to the Standard?
(33:12) Barbara’s Future Plans & Upcoming Book
(35:00) Researching the True History of the Deerhound
(39:43) Life on Barbara’s 200-acre Farm
(43:06) Deerhound Instincts, Wildlife & Functionality
(46:15) Educating the Public About Purebred Dogs
(48:56) Why Breeders Must Ignore Show Ring Trends
(50:10) The Biggest Challenges Facing Conservation Breeders
(52:11) What Gives Barbara Hope for the Future
(53:28) What Deerhound Breeders Should Focus On Today
(55:51) How Barbara Hopes Fernhill Will Be Remembered
(57:27) Advice for Future Preservation Breeders
(58:57) Virginia Hawk & Functional Deerhounds
(1:00:25) Where to Learn More About Fernhill Deerhounds
(1:00:50) Final Thoughts

This episode is brought to you by: EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/
With additional support from: Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #Westminster #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #NationalSpecialty #BestInShow #BarbaraHeidenreich #FernHillScottishDeerhounds #ScottishDeerhound #DeerhoundBreeder #ScottishDogBreeds

Kimm McDowell of DerHagen Rottweilers went 5 years without winning a single point… then turned an overlooked dog into a Best in Show champion.

Kimm shares the real story behind her decades in the ring and the whelping box, shaped by persistence, hard lessons, and a clear focus on breeding better dogs, not just chasing wins.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
How going 5 years without a single win pushed her to improve
The one trait she always prioritizes and why it matters
How she turned an overlooked dog into a Best in Show winner
The reality of breeding vs. showing and why the “best” dog isn’t always the right stud choice
What many breeders get wrong today, and how it’s affecting the gene pool

This is a story of patience, instinct, and staying the course when the easy path would be to quit. Watch now to see what it really takes to build something that lasts.

Timestamps:
(00:36) Meet Kimm McDowell
(02:10) Starting with Purebred Dogs
(03:52) Early Failures and First Big Win
(10:20) Discovering Rottweilers
(14:04) Jade’s Rise to Best in Show
(21:08) Building the DerHagen Bloodline
(32:15) Outcrossing vs Linebreeding
(35:34) Why Structure and Movement Matter
(36:28) The Hardest Trait to Preserve
(38:28) The Closest Dog to the Breed Standard
(40:09) Kimm’s Most Successful Litter
(43:21) Breeding Decisions She Would Change
(44:15) The Story Behind “Rip”
(51:58) Modern Challenges for Breeders
(54:37) How to Market Yourself Better
(56:55) Why Specialty Shows Still Matter
(59:44) What Gives Hope for the Breed
(1:00:35) Kimm’s Proudest Achievement
(1:01:28) Advice for New Breeders
(1:02:18) Breeder Kimm Wants Featured Next

🔗 This episode is brought to you by: EZwhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/

With additional support from: Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #BestInShow #BestInShowRottweilers #KimmMcDowell #DerHagenRottweilers #RottweilerBreeder #RottweilerLife #RottweilerBreedingProgramInterview

Kay Peiser of Kaylen didn’t just breed dogs, she built a legacy of champions from the ground up.

In this episode, this widely respected breeder in the sport shares a lifetime of experience shaping Standard Poodles and Chinese Cresteds at the highest level. From early setbacks to producing 100+ champions, Kay reveals what it really takes to succeed with no sugarcoating.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why your first dog determines everything
The lesson that made her prioritize health above all
How one dog built the entire Kaylen program
What actually works in genetics and linebreeding
Why most newcomers fail and how to avoid it
This isn’t theory. It’s decades of hard-earned experience, wins, losses, and real insight.

👉 If you care about dogs, breeding, or building something that lasts, this conversation is worth your time.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:36) Kay Peiser’s background
(02:49) Parents’ careers in dogs
(04:08) Discovering Standard Poodles
(04:43) Transition into breeding
(06:30) Early health challenges
(07:38) Restarting the program
(08:28) Ideal Standard Poodle traits
(09:29) Notable Standard Poodles
(11:15) Impact on breeding program
(12:09) Best of intentions bloodline
(13:04) Additional standout dogs
(14:52) Closest to the breed standard
(16:03) Transition to Chinese Cresteds
(18:57) Breeding differences
(19:04) Notable Chinese Cresteds
(20:38) Linebreeding approach
(23:04) Role of pedigree vs phenotype
(23:39) Most successful litter
(26:19) Biggest challenges
(29:22) Evolving goals
(30:41) Bringing new people into the sport
(32:10) Supporting puppy buyers
(34:00) Biggest challenge to the sport
(36:19) Optimism for the future
(37:04) Advice to fellow breeders
(38:13) Proudest achievements
(39:33) Legacy and reflection
(40:03) Advice for new breeders
(41:41) Recommended breeder to feature

🔗 This episode is brought to you by: EZwhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/
With additional support from: Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #BestInShow #KayPeiser #KaylensKennel #KaylensChineseCrestedDogs #KaylensStandardPoodles #ChineseCrestedBreeder #ChineseCrestedChampions

Karen Fitzpatrick of Meadowlake Border Terriers didn’t just breed winners.

She redefined what a Border Terrier should be, and in the process, developed an incredible bloodline with triumphs at Westminster, the AKC National Championship, and Morris & Essex.

In this episode, Karen shares how she went from fox hunting in the UK to building one of the most dominant Border Terrier breeding programs in the world, producing record-breaking dogs and setting a new standard for the breed.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
The early win that hooked her and changed everything
Why one great dog means nothing without consistency
The mistake most breeders make after a big success
How mastering the Breed Standard transformed her results
The pressure behind top dogs that no one talks about

“This is a rare look inside the mindset of a breeder who didn’t follow trends, but helped shape them. Watch the full episode to see how Meadowlake became a benchmark in the breed.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:25) Meet Karen Fitzpatrick
(02:15) Starting with Border Terriers
(03:20) First wins and passion for showing
(05:09) Early mentors and key lessons
(09:19) Discovering the breed standard
(11:14) Early recognition in the breed
(15:40) Building her breeding vision
(18:56) Breeding strategy and line breeding
(21:35) Role of pedigree and consistency
(23:29) The breeding program size
(24:10) Biggest challenges and pressures
(26:05) Ideal Border Terrier traits
(29:07) Hardest traits to achieve
(31:50) Foundation and standout dogs
(41:23) Dog closest to the standard
(42:16) What makes a successful litter
(47:41) Goals for Meadowlake Terriers
(49:00) Educating the public on breeding
(50:39) Importance of breeder communication
(52:01) Mentoring new breeders
(54:01) Be your own worst critic
(55:35) What she is most proud of
(56:15) Legacy she wants to leave
(57:29) Advice for aspiring breeders
(58:11) Breeders she respects today
(59:23) Where to find Karen online

🔗 This episode is brought to you by:
EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/

With additional support from:
Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/

#PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #WestminsterDogShow #WestminsterDogShowWinner #AKCNationalChampionship #BestInShow #MorrisAndEssexWinners #MeadowlakeBorderTerriers #KarenFitzpatrick #BorderTerrierBreeder #TerrierBreeding #AKCBreeder #BorderTerrierShowDogs