Show Notes
This episode, Ji Khalsa is interviewing me, Jessica Hekman, DVM, PhD. I'm a veterinarian turned behavioral geneticist turned teacher and founder of the Functional Dog Collaborative, or FDC. I graduated from Tufts Veterinary School in 2012 with a dual veterinary and master's degree, which was on stress in hospitalized dogs. I completed a veterinary shelter medicine specialty internship at Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida. I completed a PhD in Genetics, Genomics, and Biomedical Sciences in Kukekova Lab at the University of Illinois, studying genetic differences in the stress system in lines of foxes bred to be less afraid of humans compared to foxes bred to be aggressive. I did post-doctoral work at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and now teach online for Virginia Tech and run the FDC. Ji asked me to talk about the FDC - how it's coming, what we're doing, what we need help with. So here it is!
More from The Functional Breeding Podcast
The Dalmatian Outcross Project offers a fascinating look at what purposeful outcrossing can accomplish—and what it takes to make it happen. In this conversation which originally aired in March of 2024, Dr. Danika Bannasch discusses the genetic science behind the project, why the outcross was necessary, and the practical and social challenges of bringing new genetic diversity into a closed population. She also shares what other breeds might learn from the experience. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
We revisit our conversation with Dr. Danika Bannasch about chondrodystrophy (CDDY), the genetic mutation associated with it, and its relationship to intervertebral disc disease. Danika explores what genetic testing can—and cannot—tell breeders, and how to think about genetic risk while making thoughtful decisions for both individual dogs and the broader population. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
In this Breeder Spotlight, Ezri Silverberg of Apsara Windsprites & Lurchers, joins interim host Jess to talk their Windsprites, lurchers, and the realities of breeding within—and beyond—a small gene pool. They explore intentional outcrossing, genetic diversity, health, temperament, puppy raising and evaluation, and creating accessible pathways for puppy homes. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
In this Breeder Spotlight, interim host Jess Sedivy Gunderson talks with breeder Tara Doherty of Figment Vulpine Spitz and the Vulpine Spitz Project, and her goal of producing easy-to-live-with companion dogs with strong temperaments, health, and plenty of personality. Tara shares how her service dog experience has shaped her approach to evaluating puppies and breeding dogs, why temperament comes first, and how she balances genetic diversity with thoughtful, purposeful breeding decisions. They also discuss mentorship, the importance of community, and how Tara uses guardian homes as she grows her program. Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon
In this Breeder Spotlight, Jess Sedivy Gunderson welcomes back Dr. Laura Sharkey of the Bosun Dog Project. Building on Laura's previous conversation with Perry about what puppies are capable of, this episode explores how her breeding program has evolved—from lessons learned fostering nearly 25 litters before breeding her own dogs to the role of mentorship, transparency, and continual learning in shaping thoughtful breeding decisions. Together, they discuss what it means to raise puppies with intention and why sharing both successes and challenges helps strengthen the broader breeding community.Support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative on Patreon: patreon.com/c/functionalbreeding/membership