What does it really take to become a master breeder across three challenging breeds?In this episode, Dale Martenson (AKC Breeder/Judge) shares how a Saint Bernard puppy sparked a journey that led to over 500 homebred champions. Learn why brutal honesty builds better bloodlines, how to stay profitable and ethical in today’s societal climate, and why your “why” matters more than any ribbon.

Dale opens up about the heartbreaks, the wins, and the evolving strategies that helped him leave a lasting mark on Japanese Chins, Cavaliers, and Cocker Spaniels. Based out of Texas with his wife Jane, the Martensons built Touche and Castlemar into two of the most respected kennel names in the purebred dog world, known as much for their kindness and generosity as their excellence and success.

Subscribe for more expert interviews, tools, and support for purebred conservation dog breeders.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:51 Meet Dale Martenson

02:12 How It All Began

04:25 Competitions & First Big Win

06:25 Early Mentors & People They Learned From

08:48 Early Pivotal Experiences

10:25 Learning from Losses

13:19 Building a Legacy in Japanese Chins

20:18 The Power of Good Bitches

24:22 Breeding Strategies to Establish Bloodline

26:28 Progress Over the Years & Selection Process

32:00 The Biggest Challenge as the Breeder

34:41 Handling Setbacks and Disappointments

38:27 The Cavaliers & Cockers

40:52 The Most Notable Accomplishments

43:22 Why Good Breeders Deserve To Make A Profit

50:18 Adapting to Today’s Challenges

53:39 What Should Breeders Focus On Today?

56:22 Optimism for the Future of Purebred Dogs

1:00:18 The Impact of Social Media

1:02:32 Final Advice for Aspiring Breeders

1:04:15 How Dale Wishes to Be Remembered

1:05:54 Where to Connect with Dale