In this episode, we talk with Susan Lacroix Hamil of Quiet Creek Bloodhounds, one of the most respected modern Bloodhound breeding programs.
She shares her journey from 4-H to producing Best in Show dogs and dedicated working hounds, along with the lessons she’s learned from a lifetime with the breed.
In this conversation, Susan explains:
- Why bitches are the foundation of any strong breeding program
- How mentors and bloodlines shaped Quiet Creek’s type
- The biggest challenges facing modern breeders
- Why health, temperament, and scenting ability matter more than wins
- How conservation breeders can protect the future of purebred dogs
👉 Watch now and hear the Quiet Creek story from Susan LaCroix Hamil.
Timestamps:
00:28 Meet Susan Lacroix Hamil
01:42 Early background in 4-H
04:06 First dog shows and early mentors
05:28 Influential breeders and joining the parent club
07:38 Mentorship in a small breed community
09:31 Lessons learned from master breeders
10:33 Key turning points in the breeding journey
12:24 Establishing the Quiet Creek foundation
15:56 Core breeding strategies and linebreeding
18:55 Pedigree importance and tough decisions
19:56 Outcrossing and what to look for
23:29 What a Quiet Creek Bloodhound looks like
24:32 Changes in breed type over time
25:52 Hardest traits to maintain
29:15 Notable dogs of Quiet Creek
37:49 Biggest challenges in the program
40:31 How her goals evolved over time
41:05 Defining success today
43:35 Marketing conservation breeders to the public
46:51 Concerns for the future of the breed
49:22 Reasons for optimism
50:59 Breeders she admires
52:21 What Susan is most proud of
53:21 Advice for aspiring breeders
53:58 Quiet Creek legacy
54:27 How to contact Susan
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