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.

The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Julie Swan, with 181 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Julie Swan hosts The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast, a education show with 181 episodes published.

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  The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

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

  Aug 6, 202611 min

  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

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  The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

  #141 - The Hidden Cost So Many Breeders Are Paying

  Aug 3, 202620 min

  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

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  The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

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

  Jul 31, 202612 min

  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

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  The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

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

  Jul 17, 202621 min

  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

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  The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

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

  Jul 13, 20261h 31m

  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/

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