Meet Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Master Breeder of VJK-Myst Kennels German Shorthaired Pointers

Meet Valerie Nunes-Atkinson: Master Breeder of VJK-Myst Kennels German Shorthaired Pointers

July 14, 2026 · 1h 17m · Season 1 · Episode 48

About this episode

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson discusses her breeding program and the importance of mentorship in the world of purebred dogs.

Learn how Valerie Nunes-Atkinson, along with partner Yvonne Hassler-Deterding, built VJK-Myst Kennels into one of the most respected German Shorthaired Pointer breeding programs in the world. Valerie shares the breeding philosophy, mentorship, and long-term vision that shaped generations of top-winning dogs. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of linebreeding and judicious outcrossing in a successful breeding program. Why mentoring young breeders is so important for the future of purebred dogs. The dogs that built the VJK-Myst legacy. The biggest challenges breeders face today. Why tenacity and dedication are required for success If you're passionate about purebred dogs and achieving success in a breeding program, you won't want to miss this conversation. Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, share it with fellow breeders, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:17) How It All Began (04:04) The Westminster Dream (06:30) Winning Best Junior At Westminster (10:23) Mentors Who Shaped Her Career (16:38) Mentoring The Next Generation (23:20) Building A Linebreeding Program (26:33) Successful Outcrossing Strategies (30:13) The Art And Science Of…

People in this episode

Guest: Valerie Nunes-Atkinson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: VJK-Myst Kennels

Books & works: Westminster

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