Meet Dale Martenson: Master Breeder of Japanese Chins

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.

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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

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