Meet Carol Felbaum: Master Breeder of Hallmark Bichon Frise
How do you come back from heartbreak and build a bloodline that makes history?Master breeder Carol Felbaum reveals how losing her foundation bitch’s first litter almost ended her program, and how perseverance turned that tragedy into a dynasty of champion Bichons.She shares the inside story of Donald, (GCHG High Ridge He’s So Full of Himself ROMX) a dog some doubted who went on to sire top champions worldwide, and she explains why mentorship, transparency, and collaboration are the future of purebred dogs. If you are passionate about breeding programs, preserving breed standards, or the hidden stories behind champion dogs, you won’t want to miss this. 👉 Subscribe now for more breeder stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and conversations that keep the purebred dog breeding community strong. Timestamps:00:00 Beginnings in purebred dogs01:30 Teen years and weekends at dog shows02:21 Discovering Bichons 04:59 Early mentors and lessons in dog care09:15 Learning through observation and quiet study12:14 Honesty, tough conversations, and breeder transparency16:44 Returning to the dog world after raising a family19:08 Foundation bitch Minnie and her impact22:54 First litters, heartbreak, and perseverance28:22 Breeding success: Audrey, Donald, and champion offspring34:26 Donald’s Story: from family dog to top sire51:24 Donald’s accomplishments and legacy55:35 Building toward the next great dog57:46 Breeding decisions, linebreeding, and frozen semen1:02:43 Challenges of promoting purebred dogs today1:04:39 Collaboration vs. competition among breeders1:07:28 Educating puppy buyers and lifelong support1:11:22 Challenges in the Bichon breed today1:13:49 Optimism and gratitude for the future1:16:21 Hallmark kennel name story1:18:39 Breeders who Carol admires1:21:12 Perseverance as the key lesson for aspiring breeders1:22:37 How Carol wants Hallmark Bichons remembered1:23:35 Why there’s still no website#BetterBreederChronicles #Carol Felbaum #HallmarkBichonFrise #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows
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Meet Tonya Struble: Master Breeder of Rush Hill Golden Retrievers
Step inside the world of Rush Hill Goldens, where Tonya Struble reveals how she built one of the most successful Golden Retriever breeding programs in breed history. She shares her journey from her first golden in Alaska to breeding iconic champions like Am/Can CH Rush Hill’s Haagen-Dazs, GCH Rush Hill’s Run’n Amuck At Abelard,GCH Rush Hill’s River Road Payoff, & more. Learn the strategies behind her breeding choices, the health challenges she’s faced, and the lessons learned along the way. This episode is a masterclass in vision, perseverance, and leaving a lasting legacy in the breed. Timestamps:00:00 First Golden Retriever Story04:41 Entering the Purebred World07:08 Early Mentors and Lessons09:23 Make Your Own Decisions10:24 Founding the Rush Hill Line14:30 Breeding Plans and Strategies20:57 Selecting Puppies to Keep24:48 Breeding for Versatile Dogs25:35 Defining the Rush Hill Look34:16 Haagen Dazs: Kirby’s Legacy44:40 Chaos: The Charismatic Showdog47:20 Vegas: Rising to #150:42 Willis and McClain’s Wins51:45 Health Issues and Setbacks53:51 Experiences with Other Breeds56:05 Supporting Puppy Buyers 57:00 Challenges Facing Today’s Sport1:05:03 Achievements She’s Most Proud Of1:06:34 Key Advice for Breeders1:08:20 Legacy of Rush Hill Goldens1:12:28 Preserving History Through Website#BetterBreederChronicles #TonyaStruble #RushHill #GoldenRetrievers #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows
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Meet Colton Johnson: Master Breeder of Bugaboo Old English Sheepdogs
Through the stewardship of several breeders, the story of Bugaboo Kennels spans several generations of passion, persistence, and record-breaking champions. Colton Johnson shares details about his family’s legacy, the breeding theories behind legendary dogs like Georgie Girl, Swagger & S’More, and how Bugaboo continues to shape the future of the Old English Sheepdog breed.Don’t miss this rare inside look at one of the most successful kennels in the dog show world. Watch now!Timestamps:00:00 Origins of Bugaboo Kennels02:42 Early breeding goals and lessons in linebreeding06:39 Colton’s childhood and growing up in a dog show family08:39 Meeting Heather and discovering a passion for showing dogs12:12 Breeding Bugaboo’s Georgie Girl and Picture Perfect13:06 Lessons from his parents as mentors16:17 Influential mentors and breeders outside the family18:33 Moving the Bugaboo bloodline forward20:11 Insights into the selection process23:46 Football analogies for breeding programs25:19 When litters don’t work out & the surprises of genetics26:16 The most notable Bugaboo dogs30:24 Colton’s daughter wins Best Junior at Westminster32:49 Building a community hub36:30 Educating the public on purebred dogs38:16 The story of Hulk, the Bugaboo dog for the Fountain, CO Police41:47 Colton’s most notable accomplishment43:15 Collaboration over competition in breeding48:14 Biggest challenge today: proper mentorship51:41 What gives hope for the future of purebred dogs54:22 What should breeders focus on right now56:28 How Colton hopes Bugaboo will be remembered#BetterBreederChronicles #ColtonJohnson #Bugaboo #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows
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Meet Kathy Rust: Master Breeder of Kizmar Vizslas
What separates a good breeder from a great one? In this episode, Kathy Rust of Kizmar Vizslas (South Dakota AKC Vizsla Breeder) shares how she built one of the most respected Vizsla bloodlines in the breed. It was not by chance, but through strategy, relentless research, and wise decisions - and using tail-male breeding theory.You will hear Kathy’s hard-won lessons on selecting foundation dogs, handling health setbacks, and establishing the mindset every new breeder needs to succeed. You will also learn about creating a tail-male bloodline to forming the breeder circles that enabled Kathy’s tremendous success, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and sharpen your vision for what successful purebred breeding will look like in the future.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:47 Meet Kathy Rust02:14 Early exposure to dogs and breeding05:09 Figure skating & competitive breeding mindset06:38 First Vizsla and her early journey in the breed08:21 Deep-dive research and pedigree analysis11:19 Exploring form and function13:14 Starting the Kizmar bloodline15:31 Type-to-type breeding18:09 The Lloyd Brackett breeding method20:09 Selecting puppies to move forward with22:50 The most notable Kizmar dogs26:39 Building a consistent tail-male line28:44 Theories behind a tail-male line35:00 The biggest challenge Kizmar faced and overcame38:41 Advice for unexpected health issues44:09 Her relationships with puppy owners46:36 What are breeder circles?51:49 Defining your breeder identity and mission54:07 The future of purebred dogs56:30 Kathy’s message to new breeders57:37 How Kizmar will be remembered in breed history58:48 How to learn more about Kizmar#BetterBreederChronicles #KathyRust #KizmarVizslas #Vizsla #VizslaDogs #VizslaBreeder #DogBreeding #PurebredDogs #AKCVizsla #VizslaPuppies #VizslaLovers #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows
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Meet Dale Martenson: Master Breeder of Japanese Chins
What does it really take to become a master breeder across three challenging breeds?In this episode, Dale Martenson (AKC Breeder/Judge) shares how a Saint Bernard puppy sparked a journey that led to over 500 homebred champions. Learn why brutal honesty builds better bloodlines, how to stay profitable and ethical in today’s societal climate, and why your “why” matters more than any ribbon.Dale opens up about the heartbreaks, the wins, and the evolving strategies that helped him leave a lasting mark on Japanese Chins, Cavaliers, and Cocker Spaniels. Based out of Texas with his wife Jane, the Martensons built Touche and Castlemar into two of the most respected kennel names in the purebred dog world, known as much for their kindness and generosity as their excellence and success.Subscribe for more expert interviews, tools, and support for purebred conservation dog breeders.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:51 Meet Dale Martenson02:12 How It All Began04:25 Competitions & First Big Win06:25 Early Mentors & People They Learned From08:48 Early Pivotal Experiences10:25 Learning from Losses13:19 Building a Legacy in Japanese Chins20:18 The Power of Good Bitches24:22 Breeding Strategies to Establish Bloodline26:28 Progress Over the Years & Selection Process32:00 The Biggest Challenge as the Breeder34:41 Handling Setbacks and Disappointments38:27 The Cavaliers & Cockers40:52 The Most Notable Accomplishments43:22 Why Good Breeders Deserve To Make A Profit50:18 Adapting to Today’s Challenges53:39 What Should Breeders Focus On Today?56:22 Optimism for the Future of Purebred Dogs1:00:18 The Impact of Social Media1:02:32 Final Advice for Aspiring Breeders1:04:15 How Dale Wishes to Be Remembered1:05:54 Where to Connect with Dale
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!
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