Have you ever wondered whether stem cell therapy could work in dogs, as well as humans? We sat down with Paloma Newton, co-founder of Elita, a Melbourne start-up that is pioneering stem cell therapy and banking for dogs in Australia. We discuss the science behind it, the impact it can have on older dogs, and the real case studies that already exist!
Ever heard of a COI? 🧬 It stands for Coefficient of Inbreeding – a measure of how closely related a puppy’s parents are. This week, George and Nathan unpack this concept, and how breeders ensure genetic diversity in their breeding programs.
This week, we've dived into our back catalogue to bring you a What The Bark classic episode, all about Dog Temperaments! Dogs have personalities too! This week, we discuss Dog Temperaments with RightPaw breeder and show-dog judge Ginnette Loft. We delve into how dogs develop their temperaments, how dogs even in the same breed group can be polar opposites, and how breeders can conduct 'temperament testing' on their pups to match them with the right families. If you want to read more about Ginnett...
Ever wondered how someone first becomes a breeder? What's involved in getting started? We sat down with Jessica from Hapapi Papillons, who shares how she started her breeding journey, and the many considerations along the way. From finding a mentor, to your foundation dogs, to planning the first litter - Jessica generously shares her experience becoming a breeder!
What The Bark is back for 2025, and raring to go! Nathan and George share some of the important life events that put a short pause on the pod for a few months. And George tells all about the US conferences he attended, and how the dog world is done differently in the US!
Have you ever wondered how Breed ID tests determine the make-up of your beloved pooch? George and Nathan sit down to discuss Breed ID testing, how the tests works, and the watch-outs to know when interpreting your results.
What breed is one of the oldest native breeds, and also the face of a cryptocurrency? Enter the Shiba Inu! This week we are joined by Lyne from Kortmar Shiba Inu to discuss this much loved breed. We dive into the breed origins,"Shiba glitter", its history as a famous 'meme', and lots of fun facts along the way.
Have you ever wondered why Worming is so important for dogs and puppies? This week, Dr. Sooan Choi from Drontal (one of Australia's leading worming brands) joins us to dive into all things worming. We learn all about the main types of worms, how dogs may pick these up, why puppies are more at risk, and how to ensure your dogs are best protected against parasites. For more information, you can visit Drontal or Vetoquinol . Label disclaimer: Always read the label for full claim details and directi...
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a DNA testing laboratory? This week, Genetic George gives us an inside look into how a dog DNA test goes from a saliva sample to a fully fledged result!
We've all heard people say "Adopt, Don't Shop" for a dog, but is it really as simple as that? Nathan and George dive into this controversial topic - discussing the ethics of buying vs. adopting, why adopting is not for everyone, and how buying from a responsible breeder can help reduce the burden on shelters.
We're joined by Robyn from Pomfire Pomeranians, in a special spotlight on this fiery little breed! We discuss the breed's origins, how Poms were once much larger than what we know today, and how this is our first case of sibling guests on the podcast!
There are a lot of myths out there about breeding with DNA disease carriers, so we asked the expert! This week, Genetic George talks us through the safest way to breed with DNA carriers in your breeding program. The great news - having a DNA carrier does not stop a dog from being part of a successful breeding program! Also, we apologise for some of the audio in this episode - Nathan had some microphone issues, but we should be back to normal next week!
Did you know Staffies are nicknamed "the nanny dog", for their reputation for being great with kids? We're spotlighting Staffies this week, with renowned breeder Kim Reeder of Gamester Staffords. We dive into the history of the breed, their origins in dog fighting, how the breed changed during the world wars, and how they are the ideal family dog! Kim is also part of her own podcast, The Dog Show Show .
This week on What The Bark, we get our crystal balls out to predict some dog trends for 2024! Nathan and George give their Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down to trends such as pet holidays, doggy cooking, breed bans, and more.
Did you know the Monopoly 'dog' is modelled off the Scottish Terrier? This week on What The Bark, we talk all things Scotties with Jason Rhodes, from Dumbarton Scottish Terriers. We dive into the breed history, why Scotties have a special relationship with US Presidents, and how Jason has built a near 20k following of Scottie lovers around the world. You can learn more about Jason via his Linktree profile here .
What The Bark is back for 2024! And so is Genetic George - back from his visit to The National Dog Show, in Philadelphia USA! He shares his observations into the US dog scene, how it differs from Australia, and some minor celebrities he met along the way!
Would you, or should you, clone your pet? This week, Nathan visits George at the Orivet office to discuss the new practice of pet cloning - and the moral and ethical questions it raises. It's a growing trend, but it will cost you!
It's time for another of our "mythbusting" educational episodes, as What The Bark dives into DNA Parentage. Genetic George from Orivet explains what parentage testing is, why breeders do it, parentage vs. ancestry, and the different methods of testing.
On What The Bark this week, listeners have been asking for an intro to dog training theory - so here we are! With George away, Dr. Imogen has stepped in to give an overview into dog training 101. We dive into the research, different training methods, and how to find a reputable trainer. And here are links to the APDT and to the Delta Institute , both mentioned on the podcast....
Do you know how many Aussies have uploaded a picture of their dog to social media? In this episode, Nathan and Genetic George pull out the most fascinating stats from Orivet's 2022 survey of dog ownership in today's world. From dog selfies, to breed choices, to home-cooked meals for dogs, you'll be amazed at the lengths we go to for our furry friends.
We're super excited to have veterinarian, author, and RightPaw breeder Dr. Claire Stevens join What The Bark this week! Dr. Claire joined us to unpack some of the most common new puppy owner questions that she encounters at the vet clinic. We cover questions around feeding, biting, socialisation, and much more! To learn more about Dr. Claire, you can visit her website: https://drclairestevens.com/ or follow her Instagram @drclairestevens
An important podcast topic this week, after some recent welfare stories in the news around over-breeding dogs. Nathan and Genetic George discuss the news stories, the importance of breeding limits, and how responsible breeders cater for this in their breeding programs. A shout-out to podcast listener Wendy from Pitter Patter Cavoodles for her suggestion for this week's episode!
After the great feedback to our series on "coat colour", we're excited to share another special episode - all about dogs and coat type! Nathan and Genetic George dive into the genes that make up "coat type" in dogs - including the 'long-haired' gene, 'curly' gene, and 'improper coat' gene. You can learn more on this - and view some great diagrams - in this great research paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19713490/...
Ever wondered what the dog parks of the future could look like? Well, Jared Zabel from OpenPark does! In this week's episode, Jared joins us to discuss his vision for OpenPark - a new US start-up, re-imagining how dog parks can provide holistic pet care. Think of it as a gym for dogs! You can read more about OpenPark on their website - https://www.openpark.us/
Tune in for the final instalment in our series on dog coat colour! In Part 3, we discuss two of the most rare colour variations - piebald (pied) and merle - and delve into the health conditions owners and breeders of merle dogs need to be aware of. You can read more here about the Langevin merle scale via the link here, and check out a great educational and visual resource for Dog Coat Colour here....
We're back with Part 2 in our special episode all about dog coat colour! In Part 2, we look at some of the more unusual colour variations, including sable, brindle, and black and tan - and what it means for dog owners of those breeds. Here is the link to the great educational resource discussed in the episode, explaining coat colour with great visuals: http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/index.htm
Ever wondered how a black labrador can produce yellow puppies? In a special series of episodes, Genetic George guides us through how coat colour works in dogs! In Part 1, we dive into dog DNA; how all dog coats can be traced back to two base colours; and how different DNA variations produce all the colours we see today! Here is the link to the great educational resource discussed in the episode, explaining coat colour with great visuals: http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/index.htm...
A whole podcast episode on the Golden Retriever? Sign us up! This week on "What The Bark", we shone our 'Breed Spotlight' on one of the world's most popular breeds. Joining us was Jane Hodges from Camuka Golden Retrievers, as we dive into the origins of the breed, their temperament and standard, important health concerns, and why they're so enduringly popular. Jane has even written a book on how to raise a Golden Retriever puppy, which is a fantastic read for new GR parents! You can find out mor...
This week, we’re tackling one of the most commonly asked questions from breeders in the last 6 months…what is ADAMTS3? This new genetic health test has raised a lot of questions and concerns, so we thought we would demystify the most frequent questions, and look at how this affects breeding programs. Please note, the information in this episode is for general advice only, and we always recommend consulting with your vet on any health decisions.
The "What The Bark" podcast is back for 2023! As we get a year older, it left us thinking about the age of our doggy friends - and the importance of caring for your dog based on how old they are. So we invited Dr. Andria Beal - founder of EpiPaws - to talk about how their tests help determine a dog's age, and the study of epigenetics. Psst - there are also Orivet and EpiPaws prize giveaways, so make sure you listen in! You can learn more about EpiPaws at their website - https://www.epipaws.com/...
