50 – Stud Dog: Progesterone – 4 Part Series with Sirius Canine Fertility
Progesterone: Part 1 of 4 on Stud Dog Management
Sirius Canine Fertility
Welcome to the first of four Friday episodes on understanding stud dog management and insemination techniques.
Bridgett Higginbothm, AKC Judge, Bulldog breeder, licensed Vet Tech, and owner of Sirius Canine Fertility (formerly ICSB Grass Valley) and Shannon Stone guest on PureDogTalk and answer many of the common questions about reproductive services.
49 – What Was the Dog Show Judge Thinking? AKC Judge and Dog Show Mentor Lee Whittier
From the Judges Perspective
As an AKC Judge, Lee Whittier often saw quality, but untrained dogs with exhibitors that could use some help. Digging a little deeper, Lee realized that the exhibitors that really needed a mentor were not just the beginners, but the Owner-Handlers that have been showing for 5-15 years.
Owner Handlers – Help from the Judge’s Perspective
Many owner-handlers have ring experience, but have also developed habits, attitudes, or beliefs about their breed, dog, or ring procedures that actually keep them from succeeding.
What is the Dog Show Judge Thinking?
Ever walk out of the ring wondering what the dog show judge was thinking? Many exhibitors lay “blame” on the professional handler in the ring, rather than examine other reasons?
Dog Show Mentor is a program developed by Lee Whittier to mentor owner-handlers from the judge’s perspective.
Enjoy listening to Lee Whittier as she gives 3 tips and a few suggestions to help you improve today.
48 – Mike Pitts: Teaching the Next Generation
From Apprentice to Master Handler to Mentoring the Next Generation
Mike Pitts, along with his wife Linda, are among the top tier handlers in the country, having run multiple top dogs over the years. Most recently, Linda piloted the Puli, Preston, to number one all breeds all systems in 2016.
Back in the day, they studied under top handlers, including Linda’s time working for Houston and Toddie Clark, now well-known and respected AKC judges, and Mike’s apprenticeship with top Cocker handlers of the day.
But they also carried their knowledge forward to the next generation, mentoring other aspiring young dog people. One of those folks you heard from last week when we talked to Jason Lynn about his second win at Crufts in the last few years.
Mike and Linda live in Knoxville, Tenn. Mike’s recommendation for new and hopeful dog people (handlers or breeders) is to bring your passion, your determination to succeed and a willingness to embrace brutally hard work. And, most importantly, to ask for help. “We will help anyone who has a legitimate desire to learn,” he said.
The operative phrase there is “desire to learn”… Mike expresses frustration with folks who don’t want to put in the effort to get ahead. “We had a kid, he was always on his phone…. With my dog on the table…” His expression spoke volumes about this lack of attention and focus on the number one priority… The dogs.
“It isn’t about politics, it isn’t about who you know…. It’s about doing the work, putting in the time, paying your dues,” Mike says.
47 – Yellow Submarine, Rock and Roll, Peace Out and Woofstock: Kim Meredith
How Tie Dye and Rock and Roll Saved the Dog Show
After funds went “missing” from the Contra Costa Kennel Club, drastic ideas were need to save the show. Members even had to loan the kennel club funds for the show to go on.
Kim Meredith and her Far Out Idea
Listen to Kim Meredith as she tells the story of the Woofstock conceptualization and how everyone thought she was a bit “far out”.
Woofstock is celebrating the 10th anniversary, is now a four-day show with Yosemite Kennel Club, and is limiting entries to 3,2oo due to lack of space.
46 – Two Time Crufts Winner – Breeder Owner Jason Lynn
Kentucky Born to Twice at Crufts – Jason Lynn
Jason Lynn was a 7 year old Kentucky boy when he watched a televised replay of the great German Shepherd Dog Manhattan winning Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club in New York City. Although his family did not own a show dog, he was captured by the vision and from that day forward it was his goal to achieve that dream.
Dedication, hard work and dash of good fortune have brought him, exactly 30 years later, to the realization of that long-cherished goal.
Jason owned, co-bred with Michael Gadsby, and handled two of the last four Best in Show winners at Crufts. Winning with the Standard Poodle Ricky, Ch/Am Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre, in 2014 and just last month with Miami, Show Champion Afterglow Miami Ink, the American Cocker Spaniel.
In today’s podcast Jason talks about his history in the sport since that impactful day watching the Garden while home sick from school. His mentors, his journey and what he feels helped bring about this level of success.
For all of us with dreams, this is a powerful opportunity to hear from someone who started at the very bottom and made it all the way to the top of the mountain.
45 – Canine Conditioning: 8 Simple Exercises from Dixie Rae Sick
Dixie Rae Sick on Canine Conditioning
Canine Conditioning is fitness for all our canine competitors and athletes. Whether your dog is a show dog, an agility dog or a frisbee dog, herding, hunting, working, or field dog, or just your best backpacking companion; fitness prevents injury and encourages a healthier, happier experience.
44 – Call the Coonhounds: Night Hunts, Water Races and more
Jason Duby and Blue Tick Coonhounds Big Adventures
Jason Duby loves to run his blue tick coonhounds. Bench shows, field trials, nite hunts and water races are all coonhound competitions that earn AKC titles.
This introduction will be shorter than usual as nite hunts and water races are new to me, but sound like “great time had by all”.
Competitions are held under both UKC and AKC guidelines and are most prevalent in the southern portions of the U.S.
Please enjoy Episode #44 on puredogtalk.com
43 – Fight for your Breeding Rights: Patti Strand and NAIA
National Animal Interest Alliance
National Animal Interest Alliance and Patti Strand have been fighting for purebred dogs and animal ownership rights for 26 years. Listen as Patti Strand gives an overview of the Animal Rights issues, the history, current public perception, and the propaganda war.
NAIA Trust
The NAIA Trust is the legislative arm of NAIA and greatly expands our legislative capacity and your ability to contact legislators directly.
42 – Juniors Speak Out: Listen to the Wisdom – Jr. Showmanship Judges
Juniors are Wise Beyond Their Years
Little did we know when Laura Reeves put the question out on Facebook asking the simple question…
Is there a difference between competing in Junior Showmanship and the regular conformation ring?
We would be overwhelmed with a multitude of intelligent, thought-provoking responses!
Juniors of all ages, aged-out Juniors, and Juniors that are now judging Juniors have a lot to say!
Here is a list of some of the best! Thank You!
Taylor Marshall, Rily DeVos Mars, Kelly Schur, Janelle Chamberlin, Kendyl Schultze, Jess Pearson, Alexzandra Erb, Shahntae Martinez, Cassie Noe, Abbie Marsh, Jeannette Mueller, Hannah Layne Hunyady, Shannon Jimenez, Vienna Yeadon, Lauren Elizabeth Weber, Annika Dechert, Anna Pearson, Caleb Campbell, Kim Bullard, Terri Brennan-Weiss, Kaitlin Derosier, Mallary Ross, Chloe Auld, Sylvia Miller, Gilliam McKim
Per Request
Yes, we will be publishing an article with all the responses! It will also be in our weekly newsletter, so if you aren’t on our mailing list… join us.
41 – Girl Scouts Have Gone to the Dogs… and Get an AKC Dog Show Patch Merit Badge
Marlene Groves and the Girl Scout Dog Show Patch
Lifelong Girl Scout and Bloodhound fancier, Marlene Groves created the Dog Show Patch for Girl Scouts of all ages to learn about dogs.
Donated to the AKC, the program is a great way for clubs to bring youth and dogs together, and a popular much-needed media focus for All-Breed shows.
Listen to Episode #41 as Marlene reveals how and why the program was created, and the journey with the AKC including Girl Scouts in their public outreach and media programs.
