Pure Dog Talk
Pure Dog Talk is the VOICE of Purebred Dogs. We talk to the legends of the sports and give you tips and tools to create an awesome life with your purebred dog. From dog shows to preservation breeding, from competitive obedience to field work, from agility to therapy dogs and all the fun in between; your passion is our purpose. Pure Dog Talk supports the American Kennel Club, our Parent, Specialty and All-Breed Clubs, Dog Sports, Therapy, Service and Preservation of our Canine Companions.
737 -- Syringomyelia in Cavaliers and Beyond: What Every Breeder Needs to Know
Syringomyelia in Cavaliers and Beyond: What Every Breeder Needs to Know
Dr. Marty Greer joins Laura Reeves to answer a listener question and break down one of the most serious and underdiagnosed neurological conditions affecting small breed dogs.
If you've never heard of syringomyelia, you're not alone — but if you breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Brussels Griffons, Pomeranians or other small brachycephalic breeds, this episode could change how you think about your breeding program.
Dr. Marty Greer walks Laura through the difference between Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (SM), two conditions that often get lu...
736 — Navigating Dog Show Economics and Governance with Pam Mandeville
Navigating Dog Show Economics and Governance with Pam Mandeville
[caption id="attachment_15667" align="alignleft" width="398"] Pam Mandeville showing one of her homebred Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by corporate expert Pam Mandeville to discuss dog show economics, AKC reforms and why getting involved in kennel club governance is just as crucial as US politics for the future of purebred dogs. Pam Mandeville brings a deeply unique perspective to our sport. Pam is a Georgetown lawyer and MBA graduate who spent years as an AKC project manager and in corporate America, plus she's bred...735 — Secure Your Dog’s Future: The Lifesaving Benefits of Pet Trusts and Estate Planning
Secure Your Dog's Future: The Lifesaving Benefits of Pet Trusts and Estate Planning
Laura is joined by estate planning attorney and author Cecilia Amo to discuss how to secure the future of your purebred dogs and avoid the expensive, time-consuming default government plan known as probate.Why You Need More Than Just a Will
Many dog owners assume a simple will is enough to protect their pets, but the law views dogs as property. If you leave money to a friend in a will and ask them to care for your dog, there is absolutely no...734 — Semen Viability & “Semen Math”: Maximize Success with Fresh, Chilled & Frozen
Semen Viability & “Semen Math”: Maximize Success with Fresh, Chilled & Frozen
Dr. Marty Greer returns to break down semen viability, the six parameters of semen analysis, practical “semen math,” and strategies for maximizing success with fresh-chilled and frozen semen.
Marty joins Laura to demystify semen viability and the practical realities of breeding with fresh, chilled and frozen semen. Whether you’re a first-time breeder or seasoned pro, this conversation delivers veterinary-backed guidance on how to assess semen quality, plan collections and protect valuable genetic material.
Key topics covered:
Semen Math: Dr. Greer walks through th...733 — Dog Breeders Under Fire: the National Legislative Push Against Responsible Breeders
Dog Breeders Under Fire: the National Legislative Push Against Responsible Breeders
A sweeping mandatory sterilization bill in Hawaii refuses to die. It's part of a coordinated national campaign targeting responsible breeders and dog sports. Responsible dog owners and breeders across the country are facing a coordinated legislative push that threatens the future of purebred dogs, working dog sports and preservation breeding. Host Laura Reeves breaks down the landscape and brings in Lynn Muramaru, board member of the Pacific Pet Alliance, to detail the fight happening in Hawaii right now.Hawaii's Mandatory Spay-Neuter Legislation
The Hawaiian Humane...732 — AKC Purebred Preservation Bank: Saving Dog Breeds from Extinction
AKC Purebred Preservation Bank: Saving Dog Breeds from Extinction
More than half of AKC-recognized breeds are now considered low-entry, and the number of breeds registering 10 or fewer litters per year doubled between 2022 and 2024. Host Laura Reeves sits down with Dr. Charlie Garvin—AKC Board of Directors member and chairman of the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank (PPB)—to unpack what that means for the future of purebred dogs and what breeders can do about it today.
Dr. Garvin traces the PPB's origins to the Otterhound Club's pioneering reproductive bank, established in 2017, and explains how the AKC step...
732 — AKC Purebred Preservation Bank: Saving Dog Breeds from Extinction
AKC Purebred Preservation Bank: Saving Dog Breeds from Extinction
AKC Board member and PPB Chairman Dr. Charlie Garvin joins host Laura Reeves to explain how the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank is using frozen semen donations to protect low-entry breeds from genetic collapse and extinction.
More than half of AKC-recognized breeds are now considered low-entry, and the number of breeds registering 10 or fewer litters per year doubled between 2022 and 2024. Host Laura Reeves sits down with Dr. Charlie Garvin—AKC Board of Directors member and chairman of the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank (PPB)—to unpack what...
731 — Buddy the Beagle, Children’s Books and Dog Show Life with Will Alexander
Buddy the Beagle, Children's Books and Dog Show Life with Will Alexander
Will Alexander joins host Laura Reeves to talk about his charming new children's book series starring Buddy the Beagle, plus judging, podcasting and the timeless chaos of navigating dog shows without GPS.Longtime dog show handler and judge Will Alexander returns to Pure Dog Talk with something unexpected in his portfolio: a children's book series. Inspired by his real-life beagle — a 1992 American National winner nicknamed "Bud Man" — Will wrote the first book, What Is My Name? at his kitchen table on a whim. What followed was a...
730 — Hypnosis for Dog Handlers: Calm Your Mind, Free Your Dog
Hypnosis for Dog Handlers: Calm Your Mind, Free Your Dog
In this fascinating episode, host Laura Reeves welcomes Radek Blažo, a dog show enthusiast and certified hypnotherapist from Slovakia, whose two passions — purebred dogs and cognitive behavioral hypnotherapy — have collided in a surprisingly powerful way.
Radek's dog journey began at age 15 in Slovakia, when his father took him to visit breeders and he fell in love with Lhasa Apsos. He eventually traveled to Italy to learn the craft of handling and later came to the United States, where mentors like Melissa Pepke and professional handl...
729 — Assembling the “Engine” in Canine Structure
Assembling the "Engine" in Canine Structure
Veteran breeder and judge Stephanie Seabrook Hedgepath joins host Laura Reeves to break down the dog's "engine" -- rear construction from croup anatomy and tail set to hock length and bend of stifle — helping breeders and judges understand how structure drives movement and longevity.
The entire rear assembly in a dog is the engine that propels it forward. Stephanie and Laura unpack the anatomy and biomechanics behind a correct rear assembly, why balance matters more than any single piece, and how faults in the rear (or the front) can br...
728 — Fenbendazole Side Effects in Dogs: What Breeders Need to Know About Rare Reactions
Fenbendazole Side Effects in Dogs: What Breeders Need to Know About Rare Reactions
Fenbendazole (Panacur) has been a go-to dewormer for veterinarians and breeders for over 40 years — but a rare, life-threatening blood disorder in a 10-month-old French Bulldog is prompting a closer look. Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves to share what happened, what it means, and why being an informed consumer of veterinary drugs matters more than ever.
Marty shares her experience with a young French Bulldog who developed severe pancytopenia — dangerously low white blood cells, platelets near zero, and declining red blood cell...
727 — WKC Toy Group Winning Handler Tim Lehman on Campaigning a Maltese
WKC Toy Group Winning Handler Tim Lehman on Campaigning a Maltese and Drop-Coat Excellence
Fresh off his Toy Group win at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Tim Lehman joins Pure Dog Talk to share the story behind Cookie, the breathtaking Maltese who captured hearts at the Garden. From a childhood obsession sparked in a Minnesota library to standing in the Best in Show lineup under the spotlight at Madison Square Garden, Tim’s journey is a testament to mentorship, meticulous coat care, purposeful breeding and staying in the path of kindness.
726 — Postpartum Complications in Dogs: Dr. Marty’s Whelping Survival Guide
Postpartum Complications in Dogs: Dr. Marty’s Whelping Survival Guide
Whelping doesn’t always end with a tidy pile of healthy puppies and a relaxed, glowing mama dog. Host Laura Reeves is joined by our favorite best friend in veterinary medicine, Dr. Marty Greer, to walk through the most common (and most dangerous) postpartum complications breeders face — from retained puppies and metritis to mastitis, eclampsia, and even the terrifying “SIPS” bleeding that shows up weeks later. If you’ve ever had a bitch crash after delivery… or you’re hoping you never will… this is the episode that helps you sta...
725 — Gut Health, Brain Health and the Science of Better Dogs
Gut Health, Brain Health and the Science of Better Dogs
[caption id="attachment_15060" align="alignleft" width="363"] Dr. Lobos with her own dogs Finn and Journey.[/caption] What if your dog’s digestion affects more than just stool quality—what if it influences immunity, stress responses and even behavior? Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Ruth Ann Lobos, Senior Veterinarian with Purina Pro Plan, for a fascinating deep dive into the latest research on the canine microbiome and the gut-brain axis. From the real meaning of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to the role of MCTs in fueling the agin...724 — Legendary Handler Andy Linton on Quality, Conditioning and Presentation
Legendary Handler Andy Linton on Quality, Conditioning and Presentation
[caption id="attachment_15022" align="alignleft" width="338"] Andy and Penny shine at the DPCA Top 20.[/caption]Host Laura Reeves sits down one-on-one with legendary professional handler Andy Linton for an in-depth conversation about a lifetime in the sport. From his beginnings as a Southern California teenager more interested in surfing than dog shows, to handling some of the most iconic Best in Show winners in history — including Indy winning BIS at Westminster Kennel Club — Andy shares the experiences, lessons and mindset that shaped his extraordinary career.
Andy walk...
723 — From Pugs to the Green Carpet: Charlotte Patterson on Judging the Toy Group at Westminster
From Pugs to the Green Carpet: Charlotte Patterson on Judging the Toy Group at Westminster
[caption id="attachment_15011" align="alignleft" width="491"] Charlotte Patterson awarding David Fitzpatrick first in the Toy Group at Westminster Kennel Club in 2017 with "Chuckie."[/caption]In this episode of Pure Dog Talk, host Laura Reeves sits down with one of the true legends of the sport, Charlotte Patterson, longtime Pug breeder, former president of the Pug Dog Club of America, successful professional handler and Westminster Kennel Club judge. With Charlotte set to judge the Toy Group at Westminster, this conversation is both timely...
722 — FIDO: Nancy Martin and the Power of Keeping Pets in Homes
FIDO: Nancy Martin and the Power of Keeping Pets in Homes
Host Laura Reeves is joined by longtime friend and icon of the dog world, Nancy Martin—legendary breeder, professional handler and now visionary founder of FIDO: Friends Involved Dog Outreach. This episode is a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when passion meets purpose.
After decades of success in the show ring, Nancy’s retirement from handling didn’t slow her down—it redirected her energy. What began as a simple act of compassion through a veterinary clinic grew into a groundbreaking mission...
721 — From Rescue to Responsible Breeding: Why Education Is the Future of Dog Breeding
From Rescue to Responsible Breeding: Why Education Is the Future of Dog Breeding
[caption id="attachment_14935" align="alignleft" width="448"] Rebecca Norton-Childs is the founder of Pupstarts breeder education program in the UK.[/caption]In this powerful international conversation, host Laura Reeves welcomes Rebecca Norton-Childs — a UK-based educator and founder of a nationally accredited dog breeder training program — to discuss why education, intention and responsibility are critical to the future of dog breeding.
Rebecca’s journey began on the front lines of rescue and animal control, where she witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of poor breeding practi...
720 — Stud Dog Marathon: How Often Is Too Often?
Stud Dog Marathon: How Often Is Too Often?
Laura Reeves is joined by canine reproduction expert Dr. Marty Greer to answer a listener’s question: how frequently can you breed a stud dog before semen quality starts to decline? Marty breaks down basic stud dog anatomy, what impacts semen production and why timing matters more than sheer frequency.
You’ll learn the ideal collection schedule for peak semen quality, how overuse can show up in a semen evaluation, and why progesterone timing is essential when multiple bitches are lined up. Marty also shares practical tips for...
719 — Amy Rutherford on Smooths, Bred-By Success and Preservation Breeding
Amy Rutherford on Smooths, Bred-By Success and Preservation Breeding
[caption id="attachment_14897" align="alignleft" width="961"] Amy Rutherford winning Best Bred By Exhibitor at AKC National Championship with Wager.[/caption]Today’s episode brings you a rare conversation with someone who does not say yes to interviews very often. Amy Rutherford joined host Laura Reeves for a holiday visit and the timing could not be better, fresh off her Best Bred-By Exhibitor win at the AKC National Championship with her Smooth Fox Terrier, Wager. For breeders, exhibitors, and dog show fans, this conversation delivers real insight into what it...
718 — Purebred Dogs: Living History on Our Couch | A Year-End Reflection
Purebred Dogs: Living History on Our Couch | A Year-End Reflection
As we come to the close of another year — one that has been long, challenging, and filled with upheaval both globally and within the purebred dog fancy — it felt right to pause, reflect and remember why we do what we do.
One of the great comforts of purebred dogs is their reliability. No matter what else is happening in the world, somewhere nearby there is a dog event — a show, a trial, a hunt test, a training day. These gatherings give us a chosen family: people...
717 — Showing Dogs on a Shoestring Budget
717 -- Showing Dogs on a Shoestring Budget
Smart Strategies for Budget-Friendly Success in the Conformation Ring
By Laura Reeves • Pure Dog Talk
Pure Dog Talk is the voice of purebred dogs. We bring you conversations with legends of the sport and offer practical, actionable guidance for creating an extraordinary life with your purebred dog. In this episode, host Laura Reeves dives into a timely and essential topic: how to show dogs effectively without breaking the bank.
Introduction: Making Dog Shows Work in Expensive Times
Dog shows are more plentiful th...
716 – Hunting for Raccoons and Ribbons with Border Terriers
Hunting for Raccoons and Ribbons with Border Terriers
[caption id="attachment_14799" align="alignleft" width="376"] Karen Fitzpatrick with one of her Meadowlake Border Terriers.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Karen Fitzpatrick from Meadowlake Border  Terriers to talk about hunting raccoons and ribbons. “My background honestly was straight hunting,” Fitzpatrick said. “I hunted long before I ever bought a Border. I started here in the US and then started hunting in the UK, met people there. I just love the hunting aspect of Border Terriers. “Border Terriers are still very high on the list for hunting instinct and actually...715 – Whelping Box Foundations with Dr. Marty Greer
Whelping Box Foundations with Dr. Marty Greer
Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Marty Greer to discuss whelping box foundational elements. From heat sources to bedding to disinfecting, this is “must have” information for all breeders. “All whelping boxes will have a heat source and a surface that's easy to keep clean and disinfected,” Greer said. “We’ve used the whelping nest as a heat source. There's other companies now that make them and if you don't have electricity they make them propane powered. They make them powered on DC batteries so you can get alternative sources and it might...714 – “God Loves a Terrier” with Vandra Huber
“God Loves a Terrier” with Vandra Huber
[caption id="attachment_14655" align="alignleft" width="523"] Dr. Vandra Huber, McVan Scottish Terriers.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Terrier expert Vandra Huber for an overview of this plucky, feisty, fun group of dogs. Huber gave herself a Scottish Terrier as a college graduation present. Forty five years later her many claims to fame include co-ownership of Peggy Sue, Ch. Gaelforce Post Script, piloted by Maripi Wooldridge to Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club in 1995. Ch. McVan's To Russia With Love, Knopa, won Best in Show at Crufts in 2015 handled by Rebec...713 – Westminster KC 150th Anniversary with Don Sturz
Westminster KC 150th Anniversary with Don Sturz
Host Laura Reeves is joined by WKC president Don Sturz to discuss the upcoming 150th anniversary of the iconic dog show. “Last year, we all kind of looked at this return to New York City, going into a new venue, the Javits Center, coming back to Madison Square Garden with new teams of people and spaces, we really kind of viewed that as a dress rehearsal and we were very open to it being like a learning experience. And I think what happened was it actually ended up being opening night,” Stur...712 – Junior Showmanship Regional Events Starting in 2026
Junior Showmanship Regional Events Starting in 2026
Host Laura Reeves is joined by Mari-Beth O’Neill, vice president of sports services at the American Kennel Club, to discuss the planned Junior Showmanship Regional events for 2026. “I've always had that sort of dream that there would be something happening in each part of the country for the juniors,” O’Neill said. “And especially for the ones who may not be able to make it to Orlando, to the AKC National Championship or to Westminster. So, let's do something that's more local." Junior Criteria for Entry: The Junior must reside in the region...711 – Identifying Split Cycles and Silent Seasons
Identifying Split Cycles and Silent Seasons
Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves to discuss split cycles and silent seasons in our bitches. Both are frustrating for breeders but they are not the same situation. “Silent heats and split seasons are not the same,” Greer said. “There are some bitches that fail to ovulate. They (likely) have a cystic ovary and that will cause them to have an initial indication that they look like they're in heat, but then they don't persist and they don't ovulate. “And then there are silent heats, which are kind of the opposite where th...710 – Harnessing Youth to Build New Clubs
Harnessing Youth to Build New Clubs
[caption id="attachment_14619" align="alignleft" width="297"] Ellie Ovrom with her Drent and her All American dog.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Ellie Ovrom, Drentsche Patrijshond enthusiast, who has helped found two brand new clubs with just five years involved in the sport. “As I got more interested in purebred dogs and in performance sports,” Ovrom said, “I got involved with existing clubs and organizations around me, or in the case of the breed club, the national club, and as I was getting involved, I started to realize that some of the wa...709 – Adam Levy’s Secrets to Success of Top-Level Dual Dogs
Adam Levy’s Secrets to Success of Top-Level Dual Dogs
[caption id="attachment_14601" align="alignleft" width="322"] Adam Levy and Devon Kipp Levy work magic emphasizing the dual dog.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Adam Levy, breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, to talk dual dogs, retriever tests and what it takes to be successful at the top. Levy started in Chessies 16 years ago. In that time he has bred five BIS winners, including two with MH titles and field trial points. Working with his business partner Andrew Barbouche, Levy operates Next Generation Gundog Training in Minnesota. “Just beca...708 – Veterinarian and Author Joins Fight to Support Responsible Breeders
Veterinarian and Author Joins Fight to Support Responsible Breeders
[caption id="attachment_14594" align="alignleft" width="248"] Dr. Nancy Kay, veterinarian and author, encourages clients to source their new dog from responsible breeders.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by veterinarian and author Dr. Nancy Kay to discuss her fight to support responsible breeders. Kay said that when she’s talking to clients about how to find a responsible breeder, she advises them, “If you're speaking with a breeder over the phone or online, first and foremost, the breeder insists that you come visit. They want you there. It's not nece...707 — Breast Cancer Awareness for You AND Your Dog
Breast Cancer Awareness for You AND Your Dog
Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Marty Greer for an important reminder about the risks of breast cancer in our dogs and how to prevent and treat it. October is Breast cancer awareness month: How does hearing the words “she’s got breast cancer” affect you? Bring tears to your eyes? Start a knot forming in the pit of your stomach? Make you want a second opinion? Create anger at being cheated? The diagnosis: We all know and have been affected by someone with this dreaded diagnosis. Maybe it is you...706 – Queen of Cords: Alice Lawrence on 55 Years of Corded Breeds
Queen of Cords: Alice Lawrence on 55 Years of Corded Breeds
[caption id="attachment_14557" align="alignleft" width="373"] Alice Lawrence with BISS GRCHB Fuzzy Farm All Things Considered (aka Spaetzle, on the left) and YOLO (on the right) Moonshadow You Only Live Once At The Fuzzy Farm.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Alice Lawrence, breeder-owner-handler of Komondorok, Puli and Havanese, to discuss her beloved corded breeds. Lawrence, along with her husband Steve, first owned an Old English Sheepdog. “We were brushing our arms off,” she said. “In 1972, we acquired our first Komondor and there's no looking back. And no, we...705 – Changing Hearts and Minds, One Livestream at a Time
Changing Hearts and Minds, One Livestream at a Time
Host Laura Reeves is joined by friend of the pod Bobby Brian (BB) Lewis to talk about how he was able to change the minds of random members of the public using his YouTube channel. Lewis started his YouTube channel primarily to share with his puppy families and show how the puppies are raised. He said he was shocked by the amount of negative feedback and outright hate toward dog breeders that he received. “The easiest thing would have been to remove them from the channel. I mean, I do...704 – The New and Aspiring Judge’s Journey with Channing Sheets
The New and Aspiring Judge’s Journey with Channing Sheets
“How you treat people is everything.” Host Laura Reeves is joined by German Shepherd Dog breeder and recently minted AKC judge Channing Sheets for a conversation about breeding dogs, the sport, judging and the honor of his first Westminster Kennel Club judging assignment. [caption id="attachment_14493" align="alignleft" width="550"] Channing Sheets with one of his GSD.[/caption] Sheets recounts his journey in dogs, starting with his dad’s bird dogs and hounds, through Keeshond and finally landing with his passion, the GSD. A member of the GSDCA Judges Educatio...703 – Hot Topic: New Rules for FSS Breeds
[caption id="attachment_14468" align="alignleft" width="273"] Veronica Miller and a Portugese Podengo Medio.[/caption]
Hot Topic: New Rules for FSS Breeds
Host Laura Reeves is joined by Veronica Miller, Portugese Podengo Medio enthusiast, to discuss newly announced rules about FSS breeds. The August Board minutes launched a number of hot topics and discussions, including around limited registrations, but one of the hottest is taking place in the FSS community. The enthusiasts in this group are working with breeds progressing toward full AKC recognition. Many of these breeds are ancient and popular in other countries. “Since I came in in...702 – Diagnosing the Limping Puppy: Pano, HOD, OCD and more…
Diagnosing the Limping Puppy: Pano, HOD, OCD and more…
Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Marty Greer for a deep dive on all the causes of a limping puppy. They cover when to have the puppy seen by a vet and what differentials are in play for the diagnosis. Panosteitis. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Osteochondritis Dissecans. These are long, scary names of disorders that can adversely impact our puppies while they are growing. From the relatively benign Pano to the frequently surgical solution for OCD, every time we see a limping puppy, our stomachs clench. Greer walks listeners through al...701 – PennHIP for the Win on Reducing Incidence of Hip Dysplasia
PennHIP for the Win on Reducing Incidence of Hip Dysplasia
[caption id="attachment_14411" align="alignleft" width="399"] Dr. Karen Potter showing one of her German Wirehaired Pointers.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Karen Potter to discuss the value of PennHIP evaluations to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia in a breeding program. “While yes, I do PennHIP my dogs,” Potter said, “I typically will go back and still get an OFA score on them. So I have both avenues to look at as I'm going through my breeding. With Penn Hip, we're able to have a number...700 — Laura On: Re-imagining Dog Shows and Dog Breeding
Episode 700: Re-imagining Dog Shows and Dog Breeding
It’s become a tradition here at Pure Dog Talk to celebrate the important milestones. Episode 700 feels surreal to me! Since November of 2016, NINE years, I’ve been hopping in the van with you guys for your road trips, joining you on the treadmill and the lawnmower, at the grooming table and discussions around the dinner table. Crazy talk! But, here we are. This year we even kicked off a new adventure with the Marty and Laura Show, reaching out to the general public, your puppy buyers and your cousin’s uncle’...699 – Jake Bartells on NAVHDA, Epagneul Breton and Dog Clubs
