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The Functional Breeding Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Functional Dog Collaborative
The Functional Breeding Podcast is about how to breed dogs for function and for health, behavioral and physical. It is brought to you by the Functional Dog Collaborative, a non-profit organization founded to support the ethical breeding of healthy, behaviorally sound dogs. The FDC’s goals include providing educational, social, and technical resources to breeders of both purebred and mixed breed dogs, helping us all learn more about how to breed good companions who are fit for sports or work.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday46 min
Breeder Spotlight: Dr. Laura Sharkey and the Bosun Dog Project
In this Breeder Spotlight, Jess Sedivy Gunderson welcomes back Dr. Laura Sharkey of the Bosun Dog Project. Building on Laura's previous conversation with Perry about what puppies are capable of, this episode explores how her breeding program has evolved—from lessons learned fostering nearly 25 litters before breeding her own dogs to the role of mentorship, transparency, and continual learning in shaping thoughtful breeding decisions. Together, they discuss what it means to raise puppies with intention and why sharing both successes and challenges helps strengthen the broader breeding community. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: patreon.com/c/functionalbreeding/membership
- 2 weeks ago1h 29m
REPLAY: Mary Peaslee, MD, MPH: Breeding for Population Health
We're revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Dr. Mary Peaslee, exploring what functional, sustainable breeding looks like in practice. Drawing on the English Shepherd community's approach to genetic diversity, open registries, and functional breed standards, Mary shares thoughtful insights into balancing health, predictability, and collaboration. It's a conversation that continues to challenge us to think beyond individual dogs and toward the long-term future of their breeds. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: patreon.com/c/functionalbreeding/membership
- 4 weeks ago1h 11m
Rowena Packer, PhD: Puppy Purchasing Paper
In this episode, interim host Jess Sedivy Gunderson welcomes back Dr. Rowena Packer to discuss new research examining how puppies' earliest experiences—including age at sale, seeing the mother, and sourcing decisions—can impact health outcomes later in life. Together, they explore what the findings mean for breeders, puppy buyers, and the future of canine welfare. If you'd like to support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative, find us on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
- Jun 16, 202635 min
Jane Lindquist Part 2: Weaning and the Microbiome
In part two of this conversation, Jess Sedivy Gunderson continues her discussion with Jane Lindquist, diving into Jane’s newer work around weaning, early nutrition, and the puppy gut microbiome. The episode explores how breeders are beginning to think more deeply about gut health during developmental periods, the role of maternal influence and early diet, and how weaning practices may shape long-term health and resilience. The conversation also emphasizes that there is no single “perfect” approach to raising puppies, and that breeders across feeding philosophies can benefit from understanding the emerging science in this area. Note: This episode focuses on weaning strategies and the puppy microbiome. However, discussion of diet is closely connected to any discussion of the microbiome. The Functional Dog Collaborative does not endorse a single feeding approach; listeners are encouraged to evaluate options based on current evidence, veterinary guidance, and their individual program goals. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon Decoding the Foodome: https://barabasi.com/media/2024-Menichetti-Decoding.pdf
- May 28, 202636 min
Jane Lindquist Part 1: Puppy Culture Revisit
In this two-part conversation, Jess Sedivy Gunderson sits down with Jane Lindquist to revisit and expand on one of the Functional Breeding Podcast’s most downloaded episodes. Together, they explore what has evolved in puppy raising over the past several years, including socialization, resilience, developmental periods, breeder observation skills, and how the pandemic shaped conversations around raising puppies. Jess and Jane also discuss what has stayed the same, what has shifted, and why thoughtful puppy raising continues to require flexibility, curiosity, and adaptation as new science emerges. Part 2 of the conversation drops a few weeks later and will focus on Jane’s newer work around weaning and the puppy microbiome. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
- May 8, 20261h 9m
REPLAY: Dr. Jane Ladlow and BOAS
In this episode from our archive, we revisit an important conversation between Perry and Dr. Jane Ladlow, VetMB, DipECVS, MRCVS, on brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), functional health, and the future of brachycephalic breeds. Their discussion explores the real-world welfare impacts of extreme conformation, the challenges of balancing breed type with health, and what meaningful change could look like moving forward. Though this episode originally aired in 2024, the conversation remains deeply relevant for breeders, owners, veterinarians, and anyone interested in functional health and ethical dog breeding. If you're like to support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative please visit our Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
- Apr 18, 202656 min
Jess Sedivy Gunderson and Xan Latta: The Flat Coat Conservation Project
Before stepping in as interim host, Jess Sedivy Gunderson joins Sarah Stremming (Cog-Dog Radio) alongside Xan Latta to share the story behind the Flatcoat Conservation Project. From the cancer crisis in Flat-Coated Retrievers to the promise of genetic rescue, this episode explores what happens when breeders choose dogs over tradition—and what that could mean for the breed’s future. If you'd like to support the FDC podcast, please visit our Patreon page.
- Nov 11, 20251h 19m
Behavioral genetics of herding breeds: article discussion with Sarah Stremming
This episode, I am being interviewed by Sarah Stremming about a recent scientific article about the genetics of behavior in herding breeds and specifically in border collies. I talk about the study's methods and what it all means, and Sarah grounds it in her deep practical experience with herding dogs. Sarah has been on the podcast so many times that she hardly needs an introduction but for new listeners, she is an internationally known dog behavior consultant and speaker. You can learn more about her at sarahstremming.com and I encourage you to check out her podcast, cog dog radio, where this episode is being jointly released. On a personal note I want to let you all know that while I haven't been releasing episodes, this podcast has been very much on my mind. I continue to suffer from chronic fatigue which makes this kind of effort really difficult for me - after recording this episode I was unable to work for the rest of the day. I'm improving but it's very slow going. I am deeply grateful to those on Patreon who continue to support the podcast during this hiatus - that support goes straight to the Functional Dog Collaborative and is much needed and appreciated. Jeong, Hankyeol, Elaine A. Ostrander, and Jaemin Kim. "Genomic evidence for behavioral adaptation of herding dogs." Science Advances 11.18 (2025): eadp4591. https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.adp4591
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About The Functional Breeding Podcast
The Functional Breeding Podcast is about how to breed dogs for function and for health, behavioral and physical. It is brought to you by the Functional Dog Collaborative, a non-profit organization founded to support the ethical breeding of healthy, behaviorally sound dogs. The FDC’s goals include providing educational, social, and technical resources to breeders of both purebred and mixed breed dogs, helping us all learn more about how to breed good companions who are fit for sports or work.
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