The Breed Files

The Breed Files Podcast
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Weekly

Two friends. Too many dog opinions. Breed facts, hot takes & good dogs only 🐶 Educational podcast for dog lovers. 🎙️Episodes on Wednesday at 5 am EST weekly

  1. 5d ago

    Blood Sports: The Dark History of Dog Fighting

    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

  2. Oct 7

    Hellhounds & Other Dogs You Don’t Want to Meet at Night

    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

  3. Sep 30

    Rethinking Brachycephalic Dogs: Flat-Faced, Not Flawed

    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 7/11/2026 7/11/2026 https://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

  4. Sep 23

    Legendary Tails: English Setter

    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/.

  5. Sep 16

    English Setter Part 2: The Gentleman’s Gun Dog

    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

  6. Sep 9

    English Setter Part 1: The Gentleman’s Gun Dog

    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

  7. Sep 2

    Pet Obesity: Love Is Not Measured in Treats

    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.

  8. Aug 26

    Hypoallergenic Dogs: Fact or Fiction?

    Welcome back to The Breed Files! Think there’s such a thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog? Think again. In this episode, we’re exposing the truth behind the “hypoallergenic” label and breaking down what actually causes dog allergies. From shedding and dander to saliva, grooming, and individual reactions. Where did the idea of the hypoallergenic dog come from, and can people with allergies really find a dog they can live with? Let’s uncover the truth! Sources: Cleveland Clinic. “Allergies.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed June 19, 2026. Food and Drug Administration. “Hypoallergenic Cosmetics.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 19, 2026. Mayo Clinic. “Pet Allergy: Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed June 19, 2026. Merriam-Webster. “Allergen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Accessed June 19, 2026. Merriam-Webster. “Hypoallergenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Accessed June 19, 2026. Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Can Allergies Change over Time?” Thermo Fisher Scientific. Accessed June 19, 2026. Chan, Sanny K., and Donald Y. M. Leung. “Dog and Cat Allergies: Current State of Diagnostic Approaches and Challenges.” Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research 10, no. 2 (2018): 97–105. Accessed June 19, 2026. Nicholas, Charlotte E., Ganesa R. Wegienka, Suzanne L. Havstad, Edward M. Zoratti, Dennis R. Ownby, and Christine Cole Johnson. “Dog Allergen Levels in Homes with Hypoallergenic Compared with Nonhypoallergenic Dogs.” American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy 25, no. 4 (2011): 252–256. Accessed June 19, 2026. Ownby, Dennis, and Christine Cole Johnson. “Recent Understandings of Pet Allergies.” F1000Research 5 (2016): F1000 Faculty Rev-108. Accessed June 19, 2026. Schoos, Ann-Marie M., Bright I. Nwaru, and Magnus P. Borres. “Component-Resolved Diagnostics in Pet Allergy: Current Perspectives and Future Directions.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 147, no. 4 (2021): 1164–1173. Accessed June 19, 2026. Vredegoor, Doris W., Ton Willemse, Martin D. Chapman, Dick J. J. Heederik, and Esmeralda J. M. Krop. “Can f 1 Levels in Hair and Homes of Different Dog Breeds: Lack of Evidence to Describe Any Dog Breed as Hypoallergenic.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 130, no. 4 (2012): 904–909.e7. Accessed June 19, 2026. Hilger, Christiane, Bente Janssen-Weets, and Kyra Swiontek. “Hypoallergenic Animals: A Promise of Hope for Allergic Patients?” Allergologie Select 8 (2024): 64–69. Accessed June 19, 2026.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Two friends. Too many dog opinions. Breed facts, hot takes & good dogs only 🐶 Educational podcast for dog lovers. 🎙️Episodes on Wednesday at 5 am EST weekly

Information

  • Creator
    The Breed Files Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Breed Files Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Breed Files

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