Elevate Your Mindset

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