Elevate Your Mindset

<p>Great breeding programs are built on the mindset of the breeder behind them.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the Better Breeder Roundtable, Kathy Rust is joined by Jamie Hubbard (Clussexx Kennels) and Spenser Hardin (Longview Collies) to talk about how a breeder&#39;s mindset can either propel a program forward or quietly hold it back for years. </p><p><br></p><p>Together, they explore what it really takes to think in generations rather than litters, how to overcome the “I&#39;m just a little speck” feeling at the start, and why heart and head both have to be at the table when planning a breeding.</p><p><br></p><p>Jamie and Spenser share how their own visions have matured over time, why co-breeding and networking have become essential in an era of smaller kennels, and how to stay grounded in your own vision when the ribbons pull in a different direction.</p><p><br></p><p>Here&#39;s what this conversation covers:</p><p>- Overcoming the “little speck” mindset when starting out</p><p>- Approaching experienced breeders and nationals with confidence</p><p>- Building a long-term vision that stays consistent across generations</p><p>- Balancing heart and head when evaluating your own dogs</p><p>- Why the biggest winners aren&#39;t always the strongest producers</p><p>- Reproductive health, temperament, and numbers as part of the plan</p><p>- Building male lines that truly earn their place in a breeding program</p><p>- Networking, co-breeding, and elevating the breed by elevating others</p><p>- The truth about first litters and what makes them worth the effort</p><p><br></p><p>Whether you&#39;re contemplating your first litter, refining your vision, or rethinking the direction of an established program, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective on the mindset it takes to build something that lasts.</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps:</p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>00:38 Welcome to the Better Breeder Roundtable</p><p>01:25 What Mindset Really Means in Breeding</p><p>02:30 You Are Not Just a Speck in the Sport</p><p>04:21 How to Approach Your First National</p><p>06:17 Getting Hands-On with Dogs and Studying the Standard</p><p>07:46 Why Judges&#39; Education Isn&#39;t Just for Judges</p><p>09:57 Building a Long-Term Vision for Your Kennel</p><p>11:42 When Emotion Becomes the Killer of a Program</p><p>16:08 Thinking in Generations, Not Litters</p><p>18:41 Fixing the Overall Dog Before the Details</p><p>21:31 How Long Until You Truly Know Your Genepool</p><p>23:52 Making Progress with Small Numbers Through Co-Breeding</p><p>27:08 Don&#39;t Let Fads Distract from Your Vision</p><p>29:28 Measurable Strength vs. Ribbons</p><p>31:16 Why Reproductive Health Belongs in the Vision</p><p>35:46 Keep the Best Puppy</p><p>37:47 Breeding Littermates to Compare What They Produce</p><p>42:55 Why First Litters Are Rarely Good Enough</p><p>44:44 Building a Male Line With Purpose</p><p>49:12 Knowing When You&#39;ve Found the Right Stud</p><p>52:21 Elevating Other Breeders Elevates Your Own Program</p><p>59:13 Handling Health Issues With an Open Book</p><p>01:02:09 Final Takeaways</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is brought to you by:</p><p>EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/</p><p>Take Our Quiz: Build Your Whelping Setup in 60 Seconds</p><p><br></p><p>Follow the full Better Breeder Roundtable series here:</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDjcPjyNN2ik</p><p><br></p><p>#PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #BetterBreederRoundtable #KathyRust #BreedStandard #BreederMindset #JamieHubbard #SpenserHardin #LongTermVision #BreedingProgram #BreedingDecisions #BreederEducation #ResponsibleBreeding #PurebredDogs</p>