The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

Hosted by Julie Swan

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181

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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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60 recent

August 6, 202611 min

#142 - Raising Your Price $1,000 May Not Be As Far Away As You Think

When I tell breeders to raise their puppy price by $1,000, the immediate reaction is usually, "Not for my breed, not in my area, and not in this economy." I get why your brain goes there. Tacking a random $1,000 onto your current price without a plan feels awkward, greedy, and scary. In this episode, we'll challenge the belief that your current price is the absolute maximum your market will support. Most honest breeders aren't undercharging because they lack quality; they're undercharging because their actual value is hidden inside their head and completely invisible to buyers. I break down the crucial difference between a price that is wrong and a price that is simply unsupported —and why building margin into your program isn't about hype, but about creating a sustainable business that protects your time, your family, and your dogs. Learn More & Join Elevated Breeder: honestdogbreeder.com/elevatedbreeder

August 3, 202619 min

#141 - The Hidden Cost So Many Breeders Are Paying

In this episode, I'm tearing down the toxic misconception that you're only an "ethical" breeder if you're broke, exhausted, and barely breaking even. We break down the hidden costs of breeding that so many people ignore—the lost sleep, the family sacrifices, and the emotional toll—and why a lack of profit turns every emergency into a soul-crushing moral crisis. If you've ever felt guilty for wanting your breeding program to actually support your real life, this episode will completely redefine how you look at your margins and your worth. Learn More and Join Elevated Breeder: honestdogbreeder.com/elevatedbreeder

July 31, 202611 min

#140 - The Guilt Discount: Why Breeders Feel Wrong for Doing Well

My dogs paid for my recent cruise—and even as I say that publicly, a tiny part of me feels like I should apologize or defend it. Why is it that when a contractor pulls up in a brand-new truck, we assume he's successful and professional, but when a breeder benefits financially, people question whether she really loves dogs? In this episode, I'm tackling the "Guilt Discount"—the money breeders give up simply because charging what they're worth feels like a moral landmine. I break down the toxic myth that "there's no money in breeding if you do it right," why financial struggle isn't a badge of honor, and why your breeding program shouldn't just support your dogs, but bring good things back into your real life, too. Learn More and Join Elevated Breeder: honestdogbreeder.com/elevatedbreeder

July 17, 202620 min

#139 - Where Adopt-Don't-Shop Has it Wrong

I recently sparked some heated social media "discussions" by pointing out a hard, inconvenient truth: if honest breeders stop breeding, the demand for puppies doesn't magically disappear. It just gets funneled directly to puppy mills and irresponsible backyard breeders. In this episode I explain the biggest misunderstanding the adopt-don't-shop movement projects and share the data on where these dogs are actually coming from. We dive deep into why ethical breeding is a professional, skilled service—and why we have to stop shaming the most responsible breeders into undercharging, overgiving, and burning themselves into the ground. If you're tired of being villainized online for doing things the right way, this honest, unfiltered episode is the exact reality check the dog world needs right now. Check out Elevated Breeder: https://honestdogbreeder.com/elevatedbreeder

July 13, 20261 hr 30 min

#138 - Emily Breslin on Why Good Dogs Still Get Ruined

We've all seen it: that picture-perfect puppy on Instagram that looks like it was born to lounge on a designer couch. But what happens when that cute aesthetic turns into a living, breathing behavioral nightmare? In this episode, Julie is sitting down with Emily Breslin—a certified professional canine nutritionist, trainer, and former vet tech—to tear down the modern myth of the "lifestyle accessory" pet. Emily gets incredibly raw about her own journey, sharing how a "free" accidental puppy completely flipped her life upside down, forcing her to become the trainer she desperately needed but couldn't find. They dive deep into the messy reality of post-COVID dog ownership, where our culture of instant gratification is violently clashing with actual canine psychology. Emily explains exactly why stripping a working breed of its biological purpose is a fast track to severe anxiety, and she pulls back the curtain on a devastating, unspoken shelter truth regarding what really happens to highly adoptable, owner-surrendered dogs when a facility hits crisis mode. For the breeders listening, this conversation is a masterclass in how to disarm your buyers. Emily breaks down the precise questions you need to be asking to vet homes effectively and ensure your puppies aren't walking into a toxic, mismatched environment. This incredibly honest and eye-opening episode will completely change the way you look at the other end of the leash. Check out Emily Breslin and The Dog Who Asked for More: https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/

July 10, 20261 hr 8 min

#137 - The Facility Factor #3 - Laurie Fenly on Rock & Gravel

Think rock is just rock? Think again! In this episode of our Facility Factor series, Julie sits down with rock and gravel extraordinaire Laurie Fenly, who spent 17 years managing a massive commercial rock yard. Laurie shares the hilarious (and costly) mistakes she's seen people make—including a customer who dumped a quarter-ton of gravel into a Mercedes convertible, and another who ignored expert advice and accidentally turned his driveway into a tire-spinning, rutted nightmare. Whether you are looking to replace high-maintenance grass, eliminate parasite-harboring mud, or map out your next walking path, this interview will completely change how you look at your property. Tune in to learn why more isn't always better, why the wrong rock color can literally blind you in the sun, and how to pick the right materials the first time around. Plus, we've put together a Rock & Gravel Cheat Sheet packed with visual guides and the exact mathematical formulas you need to calculate your materials without overpaying! Head over to honestdogbreeder.com/ff3 or log into the Honest Dog Breeder Society to listen now and grab your free cheat sheet!

July 10, 202650 min

#136 - The Facility Factor #2 - Bill Collins on All Things Flooring

Did you know that 90% of the smell from a kennel is the flooring? When you get the right flooring, not only does it not harbor smells, but it's easier to clean, saving you precious time and labor. It's also much safer and more sanitary for your puppies and breeding dogs, making dog health even easier to maintain. Learn about the different flooring, what to do for temporary flooring, as well as more permanent facilities, even rooms in your house in this expert interview with Bill Collins - both a breeder and a seasoned flooring professional. Check out the full series at honestdogbreeder.com/facilities

July 10, 20261 hr 35 min

#135 - The Facility Factor #1 - Bill on Contractors & Building Facilities

If you are tired of having dogs take over your living room or puppies whelping in your bathtub, this episode is a mandatory listen! Julie sits down with her husband Bill—a veteran general contractor—to break down the raw truth about working with builders and planning your breeding facility. Bill holds nothing back as he shares how to spot red flags in a contractor's bid, why that "unbelievably cheap" quote will cost you double in the long run, and how to design a space that actually gives you your life back. From modular DIY hacks for a $5,000 budget to the the importance of thinking through what you need before you start building, this interview will save you thousands of dollars and endless headaches. In this episode, you'll learn: The 12-Hour Rule: The important things to think about when you design your facility to make sure it actually meets your needs once it's finished. The Contractor Vetting Process: The exact questions to ask to make sure a builder has your best interests in mind. Smart Materials: What you need to consider when picking materials that will work for your dogs and in your environment. Stop stressing and start building a space that works for you. Head over to honestdogbreeder.com/facilities or log into the Honest Dog Breeder Society to listen to the full Facility Factor series now!

July 10, 20265 min

#134 - The Facility Factor: Design Your Breeding Setup Piece-by-Piece

If managing your dogs feels exhausting, the problem isn't your dogs—it's your facilities. A great setup should make your daily life easy , saving you from the exhausting "management cycles" of juggling dog rotations and endless cleaning. Whether you raise one litter a year in your home or manage a standalone kennel, there is always a way to optimize your space and buy back your time. In this quick five-minute episode, I'm introducing our brand-new series on facility design, materials, and layout strategies for breeders of every scale. Stop wrestling with temporary fixes! Head over to honestdogbreeder.com/facilities or log into the Honest Dog Breeder Society to listen now and set up your program to work for you .

May 15, 20269 min

#133 - Dogs Who Are Taken Care Of, But Not Loved

One of the most heartbreaking scenarios in breeding: the dog who is "taken care of, but not loved." Tucker, a returned dog, had perfect vet records and auto-shipped food, but lived a life of isolation because he didn't fit his owners' expectations. We dive deep into why these "mismatches" happen and why they are almost always an Ideal Puppy Buyer problem rather than just a "bad home." If you've ever struggled with a puppy return or felt the sting of a placement gone wrong, this episode offers a roadmap to move past blame and into professional responsibility. Learn how this experience can help you spot early red flags, and refine your process to ensure your puppies don't just find a house, but a home where they are truly wanted.