About this episode
What happens when a curious teenager falls in love with a pet store puppy and ends up shaping one of the most respected English Cocker bloodlines in America? In this episode, Lisa Ross of Winfree English Cockers reveals how a pet store Irish Setter sparked a lifelong passion for breeding dogs that are not only stunning in the ring but healthy, happy, and full of heart. She shares her decade-long road to her first points, the mentors who shaped her journey, and how DNA testing and ethical breeding are redefining the future of purebred dogs. Tune in to discover what it truly takes to build a legacy in purebred dog breeding — and why health, temperament, and mentorship matter more than trophies. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:42 Meet Lisa Ross of Winfree English Cockers 01:42 Getting Started with Purebred Dogs 03:43 Mentors and Early Lessons 05:49 First Breeding and Vision 08:28 Influential Bloodlines 09:21 Pedigrees and DNA Testing Evolution 10:51 Evaluating Puppies and Breeding Type 12:20 Defining the Winfree English Cocker 13:20 Hallmark Dogs and Bloodlines Through Time 19:04 Breeding Challenges and Heartbreak 22:45 Supporting Puppy Buyers & Building Community 24:39 Collaboration and the Future of Breeding 26:44 Reflections on Success & Legacy 27:18 The Impact of Judges’ Opinion 28:05 The Biggest Challenge of the Breed 28:45 The Optimism for the Future of the Breed 29:23 What Should Breeders Focus On 30:55 Breeders Who Lisa Admires 33:02 Advice for New Breeders 33:49 Winfree English Cockers’ Future 34:41 Where to Find Lisa #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCDogShows #LisaRoss #Winfree #EnglishCockerSpaniel