ABA 2024: Attentive Owner Winner - Helen Farnes
In this episode of Breeders Brew, Sara sits down with the winner of the Canine Family Planner Attentive Owner Award, Helen Farnes, to celebrate her unwavering dedication to her dogs before, during, and after whelping. Helen embodies the gold standard of breeder responsibility from her roots as a dairy farmer’s wife to her thoughtful, hands-on approach to breeding Border Terriers and Jack Russells.
🐾 This honest and insightful chat covers:
✅ The transition from working collie breeder to nurturing terrier litters.
✅ Why her project management mindset makes her an incredibly attentive breeder.
✅ Real-life whelping room decisions—how she trusted her gut and overruled her vet to safeguard her bitch.
✅ The challenges of managing a complex labour with a mummified pup and how Helen’s early intervention helped save the rest of the litter.
✅ Her toolkit approach to dog breeding—combining traditional farming instincts with homeopathy, nutrition, and close observation.Helen’s wisdom bridges farming traditions with modern, holistic dog breeding. Her eye for detail, quick decision-making, and deep connection with her dogs make her a true standout in our community.
📌 Helpful Links from the Episode:
🔗 Want direct access to Sara, Isobel, and our growing network of responsible breeders?
👉 Become a Brew Crew Member: www.breedersbrew.com/brewcrew🔗 Interested in applying for a future Annual Breeder Award? Find out more here: www.caninefamilyplanner.com/aba
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Breeders Brew: The Dog Breeding Podcast
The Breeder’s Brew Podcast is for dog breeders who want to make informed, ethical decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
Hosted by Sara and Isobel, the Passionate Puppy Practitioners, this honest and supportive podcast unpacks the realities of dog breeding with clarity, compassion and practical know-how. Whether you’re breeding your first litter or looking to improve your current practices, each episode helps you navigate the journey with more confidence and less confusion.
Sara Lamont, the world’s first Canine Family Planner™, is a leading authority on home breeding. She brings decades of experience and a straight-talking, values-driven approach to helping breeders prepare, plan and parent each litter with care.
Isobel May Smith, the Canine Nutrition Coach©, is the only breeding-focused nutritionist in the world. She offers holistic feeding and wellness advice by simplifying the science to empower breeders to raise strong, thriving pups through nutrition that makes sense.
Together, they bust myths, share heartfelt stories and answer the questions you didn’t know you had, all in a relaxed, relatable way that makes even complex topics feel manageable.
Need more than just a podcast?
Sara and Isobel have launched the Brew Crew, a mentorship programme for dog owners ready to take their breeding seriously. Brew Crew members get access to fortnightly Catchup Calls, focused Spotlight Sessions, in-depth Breeder Briefs and the Taproom, a private space filled with downloadable tools, real-time support and a like-minded community.
Join today and gain instant access at www.breedersbrew.com/brewcrew
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