Robert Urban of Foxfire Black and Tan Coonhounds knows that great breeders build more than winning dogs. They build a kennel with a type, a philosophy, and a legacy.
In this episode, Bob shares the lessons behind decades of breeding, showing, and working with Black and Tans, from the breed-founding mentors who shaped him to the dogs that defined Foxfire.
You’ll hear:
- How Foxfire developed a recognizable breed type
- Why temperament should never be compromised
- Why breeders must be their own toughest critics
- How shrinking gene pools are changing breeding decisions
- The advice Bob believes every aspiring breeder needs to hear
It’s a candid conversation about breeding with purpose, learning from every litter, and making the hard decisions that create a lasting program.
▶️ Watch the full episode and discover the story and philosophy behind Foxfire.
Timestamps:
(00:00) The realities of breeding
(02:15) Getting started in dogs
(07:30) Mentors who shaped Bob
(12:21) Early breeding challenges
(15:22) Building the Foxfire bloodline
(17:25) Pedigrees and genetic diversity
(19:40) The Foxfire ideal
(22:24) Show dogs that can work
(26:10) The dogs that built Foxfire
(33:21) Today’s breeding challenges
(36:27) Why breeders need to collaborate
(39:25) How Bob’s breeding evolved
(40:20) Be your own worst critic
(44:24) What breeders should prioritize
(46:27) The Foxfire legacy
(48:08) Bob’s advice for breeders
(50:52) Breeders Bob admires
(52:00) Where to find Bob
This episode is brought to you by:
EZWhelp — https://www.ezwhelp.com/
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With additional support from:
Ororo — https://www.ororowear.com/
Cherrybrook Pet Supplies — https://www.cherrybrook.com/
Revival Animal Health — https://www.revivalanimal.com/
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