In this episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Heather Berst of Zoetis to discuss Breed Explorer — a tool designed to help people find the right dog for their lifestyle, personality, living situation, and activity level.

Not every dog is the right fit for every home, and this conversation explores why making the right match matters for both humans and dogs. Apartment dwellers, active outdoor families, first-time dog owners, seniors with limited mobility, and people with large yards all have very different needs — and dogs do too. Heather explains how Breed Explorer helps guide potential owners toward breeds that better fit their daily lives, energy levels, and long-term expectations.

The episode also dives into breed-specific health concerns, behavioral tendencies, exercise requirements, and what owners should know at different stages of a dog’s life. Whether you’re thinking about getting your first dog or looking for the right companion for your current lifestyle, this episode offers practical insight into building healthier, happier, and more successful relationships between dogs and humans.

www.zoetispetcare.com www.furrealpodcast.com

FB @Zoetis Petcare FB @Mark A Kyle

ig @Zoetispetcare ig @thefurrealpodcast ig @markakyle

tik tok @zoetispetcare tik tok @thefurrealpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Blair Braverman is a musher, adventurer, and celebrated author who has found her greatest teachers on four legs. From long distant racing treks including the Iditarod across 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness to the quiet moments between a musher and her dogs, Blair's life is a masterclass in love, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward. In this conversation, we explore the personalities of her dogs, the brutal beauty of life on the trail, and the profound wisdom that only a pack of sled dogs can teach you. She's a woman with an old soul — and her dogs have much to do with it.

ig@ blair_braverman ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@ markakyle

fb@ Balir Braverman fb@ Mark A Kyle

tik tok @blairbraverman tik tok @thefurrealpodcast

www.furrealpodcast.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-to-carry-what-to-burn/id1896260781

https://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Trail-Year-Blair-Braverman/dp/0063066262

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/magazine/sled-dogs-pack-racing-mushing.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heather Gibson of Big Hearted Breeders joins for a thoughtful conversation that challenges the idea that it has to be adopt or shop. From ethical breeding to rescue, we explore how both paths can coexist when the focus stays where it belongs: on the dogs.

We also dive into the powerful role dogs play in our lives—how they support, heal, and connect us in ways that go far beyond companionship.

At the end of the day, it’s not about sides—it’s about doing right by dogs and the people who love them.

Ig@ bigheartedbreeders Ig@ thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle

fb@ Big Hearted Breeders fb@ Mark A Kyle

tik tok@ Big Hearted Breeders tik tok @The Fur Real Podcast

www.bigheartedbreeders.com www.furrealpodcast.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.