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PODCAST

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

Welcome to the Honest Dog Breeder Podcast, with me, your host, Julie Swan, where each week we dive in to discuss all things dog breeding, so you can build a breeding business you love, producing dogs that fulfill their owner"s dreams. I believe you can have an honest dog breeding program, that also pays the bills. So throw those pods in your ears while you"re cleaning kennels—I"d love to join you.

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All Episodes

13:03

#128 - Q&A - All About Puppy Deposits

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2026/01/08

This episode is all about the "money" side of breeding that many people feel uncomfortable talking about: puppy deposits. From the classic debate over non-refundable fees to the massive legal shifts happening in California, I'm breaking down how to structure your deposits to protect your business and your reputation. We'll look at the specific math of cash flow, how to handle contracts without making things complicated, and why your deposit strategy is actually a key part of your buyer's journey

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13:22

#127 - Setting Up Your Year for Success

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2026/01/01

The New Year often comes with a lot of noise and pressure, but I believe real progress starts with slowing down to see where you actually stand. In this episode, I'm walking you through a simple reflection process to help you identify what worked last year, what was "clunky," and where you should focus your energy next. I share my own recent wins and "hair-pulling" moments—like realizing my branding didn't match my ideal buyers—to show you how to turn those friction points into a clear 90-day action

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10:02

#126 - Is Your Breeding Program the Bringing of Good...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Christmas is the one time of year I finally slow down enough to reflect on whether my life and my breeding program are actually in alignment with the dreams I have for my family. In this episode, I'm digging into the idea that breeding should be a "bringer of good things"—whether that's financial freedom, family vacations, or simply the ability to be a more present parent. I truly believe that struggle is not proof of integrity, and it's time to stop being a martyr for your program if it's currently

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07:20

#125 - The Secret to Higher Priced Puppies

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/18

In this episode, I'm breaking down why even the best puppies won't sell if your messaging is out of sync, and how a few strategic pivots can help you finally reach your ideal buyer. By getting into alignment, you can stop chasing leads and start naming your price for the dogs you love to raise. Join me to learn how to make your breeding program more profitable and a whole lot easier to manage.

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01:13:12

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #12 - Dana Filatova of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/12

In our final episode of the series, we hear from Dana Filatova of Kismet Labradoodles in Ashville, NC, as she recounts the essential, sometimes challenging, lessons learned from her very first litter. Dana's debut litter was unexpectedly large—a "bonus-sized" group of eleven puppies! She takes us behind the scenes, sharing the unexpected obstacles and triumphs that came with managing such a big group. Most importantly, Dana reveals how the experience of raising those first eleven puppies forced her

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01:14:22

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #11 - Andrea Gardner of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/11

Today we welcome Andrea Gardner of Desert Sky Poodles in Utah, who brings a truly unique perspective to the world of dog breeding, shaped by her background in agricultural education. Andrea explains how the principles of genetic selection and program management she learned in Ag Ed apply directly to her Poodle program, leading to a thoughtful, data-driven approach. She views her role as not just a breeder, but as a teacher, emphasizing the crucial importance of thoroughly educating buyers so that

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01:21:51

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #10 - Megan Smith of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/10

We sit down with Megan Smith of Acadia Goldendoodles in Maine, who proves that responsible breeding can—and should—be a joy. After 17 years in the game, Megan has cracked the code on sustainability and enjoyment. She takes us on a tour of her spectacular facility, which we've affectionately dubbed a "summer camp for dogs," designed for maximum enrichment, wellbeing, and ease in managing around 20 breeding dogs at a time. Megan also explains her decision to focus exclusively on F1 and F1b generations

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01:49:15

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #9 - Leilani Nichols of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/09

Leilani Nichols of Northwest Cairn Terriers in Oregon joins us to share her unique approach to breeding and placement. In a world where every puppy looks cute, Leilani uses her marketing to target buyers who are truly ready for the specific challenges of a clever, feisty Cairn Terrier, ensuring a perfect long-term match. She also offers fascinating, hard-won insights into the difference between dogs bred solely for show ring success versus those bred specifically for temperament and personality

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01:03:49

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #8 - Sarah Whitman of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/08

Meet Sarah Whitman of Bonnie Brae Collies, who just sold her first litter of puppies. Sarah's experience working in accredited zoos with rhinos and elephants fundamentally shaped her approach to breeding. She shares how her deep dive into population genetics led her to Collies and a registry with an open book that allows for intentional diversity planning, moving beyond closed gene pools. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling constrained by legal restrictions on dog breeding, as Sarah is

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01:27:06

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #7 - Andrea Jones of Maple...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/07

In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome Andrea Jones of Maple Hill Doodles in Ohio. A 25-year veteran breeder of Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and Cavadoodles, Andrea has built her program on advanced, and sometimes unconventional, health protocols. Andrea shares her techniques for holistic management, detailing the logistics of maintaining a non-vaccination protocol for her entire program, underpinned by a raw, species-appropriate diet. Critically, Andrea reveals how she's raised the bar for

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01:28:43

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #6 - Bill Wyatt of DubDub...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/06

In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome Bill Wyatt of DubDub Danes in Bentonville, Arkansas. After a career in high-level sales, Bill applies his deep customer service acumen to breeding, expertly guiding buyers so they feel supported, not sold to. Bill shares his lifelong love for Great Danes and gives an honest look at the immense logistics of managing a breeding business for giant dogs, covering everything from the astronomical feed (and poop) to a size-appropriate socialization

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01:49:03

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #5 - Cynthia Kelly of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/05

Today, we dive into the highly specialized world of German Shepherd service dogs with Cynthia Kelly of Regis Regal German Shepherds. Cynthia shares the unique, rigorous process she has developed for raising, training, and placing her dogs, many of whom work with children with autism. She takes intentional breeding and socialization to the next level, enabling her to provide service dogs who have amazing ways of helping people, from providing a sense of safety and security, to preventing elopement of

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01:51:27

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #4 - Kari Roach of Choice...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/04

For Day 4 of 12 Days of Breeders, we welcome Kari Roach of Choice Paws in Utah. Kari's journey is highly strategic: a former pre-med student, after starting out as a guardian home, she ended up buying an established breeding business program. This rare and successful move allowed her to immediately apply her health science discipline, bringing a rigorous, systems-based approach to her Cavapoo program. You'll learn how Kari made the journey from guardian home to purchasing a breeding business, how

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01:53:44

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #3 - Natalie Thurman of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/03

For Day 3 of 12 Days of Breeders, we dive into the world of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) with Natalie Thurman of Apex Anatolians in Frenchtown, Montana. Natalie's dogs aren't just pets—they are 24/7 protectors tasked with guarding livestock from predators like bears and mountain lions. She is also currently the President of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America (ASDCA). In this powerful episode, Natalie shares the essential difference between breeding for a companion pet and maintaining the

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01:14:26

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #2 - McKenze Ocampo of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/02

In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome McKenze Ocampo of Twilight Doodles in Dallas, Texas to share the experience and expertise she's used to build a thriving breeding business. McKenze discusses the daily discipline, continuous education, and fierce personal drive that has helped her build Twilight Doodles. You'll learn how she created a unique and authentic brand identity that sets her program apart, establishing immediate professionalism from day one. Crucially, McKenze reveals the

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55:44

12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #1 - Kim McGuirk of...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/12/01

In this first episode in our 2025 12 Day of Breeders, we talk to AKC Breeder of Merit, Kim McGuirk of Newbliss Chicago Lagotto, who built explosive business success by focusing on radical customer service and smart delegation. Kim shares the secret to her longevity: building an incredible community of owners through fun bi-annual social events, and the brilliant management strategy she uses to prevent burnout—including a puppy socialization hack using high school and college students on a shift

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11:54

#124 - Getting Out of Survival and Into a Business...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/11/27

Breeders are some of the toughest people out there—but grit alone won't move you out of burnout. In this episode, I reveal the small hack that shifts you from survival mode into intentional growth mode. You'll learn how to feel real progress, how to stop moving the goalposts on yourself, and how to make better decisions with less emotional load. This one mindset shift has changed how I run my program… and it can change yours too.

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13:40

#123 - Reflecting on the Year of Dog Breeding and...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/11/21

In this episode, I discuss my own personal year of dog breeding, what worked, what didn't go so well, and how I plan to change things going forward, plus how you can use my insights to start evaluating your own program. I also cover new updates for the Honest Dog Breeder Society and give you a sneak peek at all the exciting things I'm working on for 2026.

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11:25

#122 - Which Kind of Dog Breeder Are You?

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Feeling overwhelmed? Can't seem to catch a break? Your program feels more like herding cats rather than breeding dogs? It happens to us all! In this episode we'll go over the two kinds of breeders, which one you are, how to transition if you're not happy about which one you are, and how immersing yourself in a solid community of intentional breeders can give you the edge you've been looking for. Learn more about the community here: honestdogbreeder.com/community

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16:17

#121 - Does Placing a Dog in the Wrong Home Make You...

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast ·

2025/11/03

Ever sold a puppy to a buyer and regretted it? Many things can happen when working with the general public and dogs, sometimes we get it wrong. In this episode we'll discuss what can happen to make it go wrong and help you determine which of these situations makes you a bad breeder and what you can do about it. Looking for a community of breeders who will support you through the good and the bad? Join the Dog Breeder Society, the only place where breeders genuinely support each other in all aspects

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