The Breed Files

Welcome back to The Breed Files! What do you get when you combine a big personality, a fascinating American history, and a dog that was bred to work hard and live life to the fullest? The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier!In this episode, we’re joined by Kirsten Morales Taylor with K&B Menagerie Teddy Roosevelt Terriers and Kristy Rowland with Lupine Teddy Roosevelt Terriers to dive into the history, character, and legacy of this uniquely American breed. We’ll talk about where Teddy Roosevelt Terriers came from, what makes them different from other terrier breeds, their working roots, and what it takes to preserve and promote this often-overlooked little dog. Whether you already share your life with a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier or you’ve never heard of one before, this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for these spirited, intelligent, and surprisingly versatile dogs.Join us as we meet the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier and discover the big story behind this little American dog!Sources:​https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/teddy-roosevelt-terrier/​https://utrtca.org/​https://www.ramblingterriers.com/breed-history.php​https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/teddy-roosevelt-terrier-history/​https://www.chewy.com/education/dog-breeds/teddy-roosevelt-terrier​https://www.ukcdogs.com/teddy-roosevelt-terrier​https://goofytails.com/pages/teddy-roosevelt-terrier?srsltid=AfmBOoonglxO2bhDLsOAA4iWfh_Ev3ODLkm7qE3o_3U15_Nl1C93jceS​https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/teddy-roosevelt-terrier-right-for-you/

Welcome back to The Breed Files! For Halloween, we’re going to the Aztec and Maya underworld, guided by dogs. Across ancient and modern Mesoamerica, dogs have been far more than companions. They have been guides to the dead, guardians of the underworld, supernatural creatures, omens, and figures woven into stories about death.In this special Halloween episode, we explore the fascinating world of dog-related legends in Mesoamerica. From ancient Maya and Mexica traditions to stories and beliefs that continue into the modern era. So grab a candle, keep an eye on the shadows, and join us for a journey into the darker side of Mesoamerican history and folklore.Because in Mesoamerica, a dog may be the one creature you want beside you when you cross into the other world.Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_in_Mesoamerican_folklore_and_myth#cite_ref-13https://www.marc.ucsb.edu/research/maya/ancient-maya-civilization/classic-periodhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/ancient-maya-dogs-culture-tradehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xolotlhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Postclassic-Periodhttps://kids.kiddle.co/Dogs_in_Mesoamerican_folklore_and_mythMusic: Creeping Scary Atmosphere for Night Scenes, Alex Morgan, Free Music Archive CC BY

Welcome to a special Halloween bonus episode of The Breed Files! This time, we’re stepping away from the living and into the world of folklore to meet the dogs that were said to guard the dead. For centuries, stories from Britain and Scandinavia have told of the Church Grim, a mysterious black dog believed to haunt churchyards and protect sacred ground. Light a candle, settle in, and join us as we dig into the history, folklore, and downright creepy stories behind the Church Grim. Just remember… if you see a black dog watching you from the churchyard this Halloween, maybe don’t assume it’s just someone's pet.Sources: Briggs, Katharine M. An Encyclopedia of Fairies. New York: Pantheon Books, 1976. Accessed September 11, 2026. Internet ArchiveBrinkmann, Susan. “The Legend of the Church Grim.” Women of Grace, April 11, 2019. Accessed September 11, 2026. “Church Grim.” European Folktales. Accessed September 11, 2026. European Folktales“Church Grim.” Wikipedia. Last modified as indicated on the page. Accessed September 11, 2026. “Creepin’ It Real: The Church Grim.” Sandy River Review, February 20, 2019. Accessed September 11, 2026. Sandy River ReviewThorpe, Benjamin. Northern Mythology: Comprising the Principal Popular Traditions and Superstitions of Scandinavia, North Germany, and the Netherlands. 3 vols. London: Edward Lumley, 1851–1852. Accessed September 11, 2026. Internet Archive[https://www.instagram.com/p/DQfor6VkZt0/]. Instagram. Accessed September 11, 2026. InstagramCinematic Halloween, PulseBox, Free Music Archive CC BY-ND 4.0

Welcome back to The Breed Files! This Halloween, we’re confronting one of the darkest forms of animal cruelty: dog fighting. In this episode, we explore the history of dog fighting, how this blood sport evolved, and what it looks like today. We’ll examine the realities faced by dogs who are bred, trained, and forced to fight for human entertainment and profit.Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of animal cruelty, dog fighting, and potentially graphic subject matter. If you would prefer to skip anything graphic or related to animal cruelty, please skip ahead to 37:37. At that point, we shift our focus to the most important part of the conversation: what we can do as individuals and as a community to help end dog fighting. We’ll discuss ways to recognize suspected cruelty, support animal welfare organizations, and help create a culture where this kind of abuse has no place. It’s a difficult subject, but understanding the problem is one of the first steps toward helping stop it.Sources:American Kennel Club. “American Staffordshire Terrier History: AmStaff.” *American Kennel Club*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier-history-amstaff/]ASPCA. “A Closer Look at Dogfighting.” *ASPCA*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.aspca.org/investigations-rescue/dogfighting/closer-look-dogfighting]HowStuffWorks. “Dogfighting.” *HowStuffWorks*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://people.howstuffworks.com/dogfighting4.htm]Humane World for Animals. “Dogfighting.” *Humane World for Animals*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.humaneworld.org/en/issue/dogfighting]Kennedy, John, and Cory Booker. “Kennedy, Booker Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Animal Fighting and Trafficking.” *U.S. Senator John Kennedy*, April 2025. [https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/2025/4/kennedy-booker-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-combat-animal-fighting-and-trafficking]“History of Dog Fighting in the World.” *ResearchGate*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276299811_History_of_Dog_Fighting_In_The_World]Love-A-Bull. “The History of Pit Bulls.” *Love-A-Bull*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://love-a-bull.org/resources/the-history-of-pit-bulls/]New Bern Sun Journal. “Dog Fighting: An Informant’s Story.” *New Bern Sun Journal*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.newbernsj.com/features/dog-fighting-an-informants-story/article_c795698f-4268-52cc-b637-a8d3fb15b1b6.html]New York Post. “Dogfight Capital of the World.” *New York Post*, October 14, 2007. [https://nypost.com/2007/10/14/dogfight-capital-of-the-world/]NPR. “A History of Dogfighting.” *NPR*, July 19, 2007. [https://www.npr.org/2007/07/19/12108421/a-history-of-dogfighting]Philadelphia Encyclopedia. “Dogfighting.” *The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/dogfighting/]“Dogfighting.” *Medium*, “Lessons from History.” Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/a-brief-history-of-dogfighting-56a1c0af0da5]Wounded Paw Project. “Signs of Dogfighting.” *Wounded Paw Project*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://woundedpawproject.org/dogfighting/signs-of-dogfighting/]YouTube. “SbQlaQ6V3i4.” *YouTube*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbQlaQ6V3i4]Facebook. “Facebook Group Post.” *Facebook*. Accessed August 1, 2026. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/653721228158059/posts/653722891491226/]Music: Dark Awakening, malictusmusic, Free Music Archive CC BY

Welcome back to The Breed Files! What exactly is a hellhound? In this episode, we dig into the folklore behind these supernatural dogs, exploring what defines a hellhound, where the stories come from, and the common themes that appear across different cultures. Then we meet some fascinating canine creatures from folklore, including the fairy hounds of Celtic tradition, the Cu Sith, and Japan’s mysterious Okuri-inu. Are these spectral dogs omens of death, supernatural guardians, or something a little more complicated? Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellhoundhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Hound-of-the-Baskervilleshttps://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Cerberus/cerberus.htmlhttps://norse-mythology.org/garm/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_dog_(folklore)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%B9-s%C3%ACthhttps://folklorescotland.com/cu-sith-%EF%BF%BC/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Compa%C3%B1ahttps://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Urcohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Hunthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C5%B5n_Annwnhttps://yokai.com/okuriinu/?srsltid=AfmBOorGigpLtTlaQq2WUbG8xhRGntEkOi4vZSynLUpT0DLipLVGjgIKhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%8Dkaihttps://yokai.com/yosuzume/?srsltid=AU7gw4W-Bc2YayiFHyFfZjdVxks9ylNiZ4KZjvuYhhrNdqCbqmZAHE5c

Welcome back to The Breed Files! What exactly does it mean for a dog to be brachycephalic? And does having a flat face automatically mean a dog is unhealthy? This week, we're taking a closer look at brachycephalic dogs and going beyond the stereotypes. We'll break down what “brachycephalic” actually means, hear different perspectives from owners who live with these breeds, and dive into BOAS (the breathing disorder that has become one of the biggest concerns surrounding flat-faced dogs). But we're also tackling a complicated question: Can brachycephalic dogs be ethically bred?Tune in for a deeper look at the dogs behind the controversy and the future of responsible brachycephalic breeding.Sources: Accessed 7/11/20267/11/2026https://evolution.berkeley.edu/lines-of-evidence/artificial-selection/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787814000616https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7380493/https://www.humanevma.org/brachycephalichttps://www.researchgate.net/figure/Craniofacial-ratio-CFR-of-the-dog-which-is-obtained-by-dividing-the-muzzle-length-by_fig1_378707023https://melbournebulldogclinic.com.au/important-info/cranio-facial-ratio/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_conchahttps://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/frontal-sinushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontal_sinushttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/frontal-sinushttps://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/noisy-breathing-stridorhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499965/https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0u-44Z0rm14https://crest.com/en-us/oral-care-tips/pregnancy/what-is-ptyalism?srsltid=AfmBOoqNZbcMs4LbyIgeDzb4wn6Hgn-28fMJorvX4ZbVwi9yi3eXihthhttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22376-nasopharynxhttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24278-epiglottishttps://archaeology.org/news/2023/04/18/230419-brachycephalic-dog/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/flat-faced-brachycephalic-roman-dog-frenchie-pug-bulldoghttps://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/no-simple-way-of-predicting-breathing-difficulties-in-pugs-french-bulldogs-and-bulldogs-fromhttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181928https://ofa.org/diseases/rfgs/https://ofa.org/diseases/rfgs/https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/boas/about-boas/recognition-diagnosishttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/respiratory-function-grading-scheme/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11264736/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0340604https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000334729690370Xhttps://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/79/2/ajvr.79.2.170.xml

Welcome back! This week, Seaira travels back in time to meet Jim the Wonder Dog, an English Setter whose life helped define the breed and earn their place in history.Sources: Croft, August. “Jim the Wonder Dog Responded to Morse Code, and Scientists Couldn’t Explain How.” A-Z Animals, May 17, 2026. Accessed July 25, 2026. https://a-z-animals.com/articles/jim-the-wonder-dog-repsonded-to-morse-code-and-scientists-couldnt-explain-how/.Figley, Marty Rhodes. The True Story of Jim the Wonder Dog. Oklahoma City, OK: The RoadRunner Press, 2017. Accessed July 25, 2026. https://www.amazon.com/True-Story-Jim-Wonder-Dog/dp/1937054411.Jim the Wonder Dog. “About.” Accessed July 25, 2026. https://www.jimthewonderdog.org/about.“Jim the Wonder Dog.” Wikipedia. Accessed July 25, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_the_Wonder_Dog.Missouri Secretary of State. “Missouri State Wonder Dog: Jim the Wonder Dog.” Accessed July 25, 2026. https://www.sos.mo.gov/symbol/wonderdog.Reddit. “Unresolved Cryptid: Jim the Wonder Dog (Statewide).” Reddit, September 2018. Accessed July 25, 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/9bgw0g/unresolvedcryptid_jim_the_wonder_dog_statewide/.

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Think English Setters are just pretty, feathered dogs? Think again. In this episode, Kelsey Kryszak and Kendall MacKenzie, two people with extensive experience with English Setters, join us to uncover what makes this elegant bird dog so special. From their history as hardworking hunting companions to their affectionate, playful personalities, we explore the breed’s purpose, temperament, trainability, exercise needs, and what it’s really like to live with one. Are you looking for a beautiful, easygoing companion, or does this athletic bird dog need more than you’re ready to give? Tune in to find out!Sources:American Kennel Club. “English Setter.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-setter/American Kennel Club. “English Setter Breed Standard.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Breed StandardAmerican Kennel Club. “English Setter History: Where the Breed Originated.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter HistoryAmerican Kennel Club. “English Setter Study Guide.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Study GuideAudubon Animal Clinic. “English Setter.” Audubon Animal Clinic. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Breed InformationBritish Small Animal Veterinary Association. “New DNA Testing Schemes for the English Setter.” BSAVA, August 15, 2019. Accessed July 9, 2026. New DNA Testing Schemes for the English SetterEmbark Veterinary, Inc. “English Setters: Dog Breed Info, Photos, Common Names, and More.” Embark. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Breed InformationEnglish Setter Association of America. “English Setter Association of America.” Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Association of AmericaGundog Journal. “English Setters.” Gundog Journal. Accessed July 9, 2026. English SettersMayo Clinic. “Hashimoto’s Disease: Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed July 9, 2026. Hashimoto’s DiseaseOrvis. “English Setter.” Orvis. Accessed July 9, 2026. English SetterOrthopedic Foundation for Animals. “Thyroid.” Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Accessed July 9, 2026. OFA Thyroid InformationPetMD. “English Setter Dog Breed Health and Care.” PetMD. Updated August 28, 2023. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Health and CareRyman Setters. “What Is a Ryman-Type Setter?” Ryman Setters. Accessed July 9, 2026. What Is a Ryman-Type Setter?University of California, Davis, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. “English Setter.” Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Genetic InformationWestminster Kennel Club. “English Setter.” The Westminster Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Think English Setters are just pretty, feathered dogs? Think again. In this episode, Kelsey Kryszak and Kendall MacKenzie, two people with extensive experience with English Setters, join us to uncover what makes this elegant bird dog so special. From their history as hardworking hunting companions to their affectionate, playful personalities, we explore the breed’s purpose, temperament, trainability, exercise needs, and what it’s really like to live with one. Are you looking for a beautiful, easygoing companion, or does this athletic bird dog need more than you’re ready to give? Tune in to find out!Sources:American Kennel Club. “English Setter.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-setter/American Kennel Club. “English Setter Breed Standard.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Breed StandardAmerican Kennel Club. “English Setter History: Where the Breed Originated.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter HistoryAmerican Kennel Club. “English Setter Study Guide.” American Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Study GuideAudubon Animal Clinic. “English Setter.” Audubon Animal Clinic. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Breed InformationBritish Small Animal Veterinary Association. “New DNA Testing Schemes for the English Setter.” BSAVA, August 15, 2019. Accessed July 9, 2026. New DNA Testing Schemes for the English SetterEmbark Veterinary, Inc. “English Setters: Dog Breed Info, Photos, Common Names, and More.” Embark. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Breed InformationEnglish Setter Association of America. “English Setter Association of America.” Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Association of AmericaGundog Journal. “English Setters.” Gundog Journal. Accessed July 9, 2026. English SettersMayo Clinic. “Hashimoto’s Disease: Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed July 9, 2026. Hashimoto’s DiseaseOrvis. “English Setter.” Orvis. Accessed July 9, 2026. English SetterOrthopedic Foundation for Animals. “Thyroid.” Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Accessed July 9, 2026. OFA Thyroid InformationPetMD. “English Setter Dog Breed Health and Care.” PetMD. Updated August 28, 2023. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Health and CareRyman Setters. “What Is a Ryman-Type Setter?” Ryman Setters. Accessed July 9, 2026. What Is a Ryman-Type Setter?University of California, Davis, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. “English Setter.” Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter Genetic InformationWestminster Kennel Club. “English Setter.” The Westminster Kennel Club. Accessed July 9, 2026. English Setter

Welcome back to The Breed Files! Today, we’re taking a closer look at pet obesity, not just from a medical perspective, but from a cultural one. We all know that carrying extra weight can lead to serious health problems, but why has it become so common for dogs and cats to be overweight in the first place? From oversized treats and endless snacking to the way we use food to show love, we’re exploring how our relationship with our pets, and with food, may be shaping the way we see their bodies. When does a well-fed pet become an overweight pet? Why can it be so difficult to recognize obesity in our own animals? And why do we sometimes celebrate or laugh about a pet being “chonky” instead of recognizing that something may be wrong?Sources:Eastland-Jones, Rebekah C., Alexander J. German, Shelley L. Holden, Vincent Biourge, and Lucy C. Pickavance. “Owner Misperception of Canine Body Condition Persists Despite Use of a Body Condition Score Chart.” *Journal of Nutritional Science* 3 (2014): e45. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2014.25. Accessed June 27, 2026.Kluess, Heidi A., and Rebecca L. Jones. “A Comparison of Owner Perceived and Measured Body Condition, Feeding and Exercise in Sport and Pet Dogs.” *Frontiers in Veterinary Science* 10 (2023): 1211996. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1211996. Accessed June 27, 2026.Muñoz-Prieto, Alberto, Liza Rosenbaum Nielsen, Roman Dąbrowski, Charlotte Reinhard Bjørnvad, Josefin Söder, Elsa Lamy, Ingrida Monkeviciene, et al. “European Dog Owner Perceptions of Obesity and Factors Associated with Human and Canine Obesity.” *Scientific Reports* 8 (2018): 13353. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31532-0. Accessed June 27, 2026.White, G. A., P. Hobson-West, K. Cobb, J. Craigon, R. Hammond, and K. M. Millar. “Canine Obesity: Is There a Difference between Veterinarian and Owner Perception?” *Journal of Small Animal Practice* 52, no. 12 (2011): 622–626. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01138.x. Accessed June 27, 2026.Gille, Sanna, Hanna Fischer, Sanna Lindåse, Linda Palmqvist, Julia Lärka, Sara Wolf, Johanna Penell, and Josefin Söder. “Dog Owners’ Perceptions of Canine Body Composition and Effect of Standardized Education for Dog Owners on Body Condition Assessment of Their Own Dogs.” *Veterinary Sciences* 10, no. 7 (2023): 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10070447. Accessed June 27, 2026.