BreedaCon 2027 - Australia's Leading Dog Breeder Conference
Description
By Breeders, For Breeders.
BreedaCon 2027 is Australia's leading dog breeders conference - three days of world class education, canine reproduction science and industry connection, built for breeders who want to keep raising the bar.
📅 Friday 30 April – Sunday 2 May 2027
📍 Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Built on what breeders asked for: Three days. No fluff.
BreedaCon has been built by breeders, for breeders, and we will bring together international experts, leading Australian veterinarians, scientists and breeder educators for a program built around the questions, challenges and decisions breeders face in real breeding programs.
From canine reproduction science, genetics and nutrition to the microbiome, puppy development and early behavioural science, BreedaCon goes beyond surface level education to bring breeders current science, practical knowledge and direct access to people working at the forefront of their fields.
Friday - A more intimate and practical learning structure, where you choose your deep dive: the Puppy Culture Intensive Series with Jane Messineo Lindquist, or pre- and post-natal canine nutrition with Magda Chiarella, canine colour genetics with Dr Kao Castle, or our interactive Breeder to Breeder masterclass.
Saturday - A full conference day exploring the science behind modern breeding, from canine reproduction, fertility and breeding management to genetics, the microbiome and emerging research, alongside expert panels tackling the questions breeders of all experience levels actually want answered.
Sunday - Puppy Culture takes centre stage, with Jane Messineo Lindquist leading a full day exploring puppy development, behaviour and the science of those critical early weeks, alongside broader expert perspectives on raising puppies and setting them up for life.
BreedaCon was created after listening to breeders across Australia and to experts working throughout the industry. The message was clear: breeders wanted more science, more depth, more credible education and more opportunities to learn directly from the people doing the work.
That's exactly what BreedaCon 2027 is built to deliver.
Across three days, international experts, leading Australian veterinarians, scientists and breeder educators come together to take the conversation beyond surface level education, connecting current science with the real decisions breeders make in their programs every day.
Come for the education. Stay for the conversations, the connections and a room full of people who understand exactly what goes into doing this well.
World class expertise. Breeder led education. Built to Raise The Bar.
If you breed dogs and want to keep raising the standard, BreedaCon is your event.
Lineup
Jane Messineo Lindquist | International Keynote Speaker — Puppy Culture
International Keynote Speaker | Creator of Puppy Culture, Madcap University and Madcap Radio One of the most influential voices in modern puppy raising, Jane Messineo Lindquist is the creator of Puppy Culture, the internationally recognised program that has transformed how breeders think about early development, socialisation and raising puppies with purpose. Flying in from the United States exclusively for BreedaCon 2027, Jane brings decades of breeder led experience and a body of work followed by breeders around the world. Across BreedaCon, she'll take breeders beyond the Puppy Culture program and deep into the science and practical application of early development; including epigenetics, fear periods, behaviour and the decisions breeders make during the most formative weeks of a puppy's life. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from the woman behind Puppy Culture in person in Australia.
Magda Chiarella | International Guest Speaker — Canine Nutrition and Breeding
International Guest Speaker | Canine Nutrition, Maternal Health and Breeder Education Flying in from the United States for BreedaCon 2027, Magda Chiarella brings a rare combination of deep nutritional knowledge and decades of hands-on experience as a dog breeder. A long time Norwich Terrier breeder and respected breeder educator, Magda is a regular contributor alongside Jane Messineo Lindquist on Madcap Radio, where her work explores canine nutrition through the very specific lens of breeding dogs, pregnancy, lactation and developing puppies. At BreedaCon, Magda will take breeders deep into pre- and post-natal nutrition; examining how nutrition before, during and after pregnancy can influence the dam, lactation and the developing litter, and translating the science into decisions breeders can actually use in their own programs. This isn't generic pet nutrition. It's nutrition through the lens of reproduction, breeding and raising the next generation.
Dr Xavier Schneider | Specialist in Animal Reproduction
Registered Specialist in Theriogenology (Reproduction) | Diplomate, American College of Theriogenologists Dr Xavier Schneider brings specialist level reproductive medicine directly to the BreedaCon stage. A Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists and registered specialist in reproduction, Xavier works at the clinical edge of fertility and reproductive medicine; with the expertise to take breeders well beyond the basics. On Saturday, Xavier leads a two-part deep dive into the science behind successful breeding. Part 1: The Stud Dog — From preparation to preservation explores the male side of reproduction, including semen collection, assessment, preservation and freezing. Part 2: The Breeding Female — From oestrus to ovulation turns to the girls, unpacking oestrus, ovulation, progesterone, fertility and the critical question of getting breeding timing right for the semen you're working with. Specialist knowledge. Real breeding decisions. Be in the room.
Dr Nicole Rous | Veterinarian — Microbiome and Gut Health
Veterinarian | Animal Reproduction | Gut Health, Microbiome and Integrative Medicine Dr Nicole Rous brings almost two decades of veterinary experience and a fascination with what is fast becoming one of the most exciting frontiers in animal health: The canine microbiome. A veterinarian with Honours and Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Reproduction, Nicole is Director of Vets of Melbourne, founder of Shy Tiger and co-founder of veterinary diagnostics platform i-screenPets. Her work explores the connections between the gut microbiome, immune function, nutrition and the wider gut-brain-skin axis. On Saturday at BreedaCon, Nicole takes breeders inside the canine microbiome; exploring the emerging science around the relationship between gut health, immune function, nutrition and the wider health of our dogs, and what this growing field could mean for breeding dogs and the puppies we raise. The microbiome is opening up an entirely new way of looking at canine health, and Nicole will unpack what breeders need to know about the science, where the evidence is heading, and its potential relevance inside a breeding program.
Dr Kao Castle | Geneticist — Dog Breeding Science
B.Sc. (Hons.) (Advanced), PhD | Founder, Dog Breeding Science | Genetics and Bioinformatics Dr Kao Castle brings the science of genetics out of the laboratory and into the decisions breeders make every day. With a PhD, a background in bioinformatics and published research in animal and canine genetics, Kao is the founder of Dog Breeding Science, providing genetic testing and interpretation specifically for breeders. At BreedaCon 2027, Kao will bring her expertise in canine genetics and colour inheritance across the program; leading a dedicated Friday masterclass, contributing to the Saturday conference program and joining BreedaCon's expert speaker panels. From understanding how colour and pattern traits are inherited to interpreting genetic information and applying it to real-world mating decisions, Kao has a knack for taking complex genetics and making it genuinely useful to breeders. Complex genetics, translated into better informed breeding decisions.
Agenda
- 8:15 am - 9:00 am
Registration, Coffee & Arrival
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Puppy Culture Intensive Series | Session 1
Banquet Room 2
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Canine Colour Genetics | Dr Kao Castle
Banquet Room 3
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Breeder Essentials Series | Session 1
Banquet Room 1
- 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Morning Tea
- 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Puppy Culture Intensive Series | Session 2
Banquet Room 2
- 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Pre & Post-Natal Canine Nutrition | Magda Chiarella | Session 1 & 2
Banquet Room 3
- 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Breeder Essentials Series | Session 2
Banquet Room 1
- 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Lunch Break
Please note lunch catering is not provided
- 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Puppy Culture Intensive Series | Session 3
Banquet Room 2
- 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Pre & Post-Natal Canine Nutrition | Session 3
Banquet Room 3
- 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Breeder Essentials Series | Session 3
Banquet Room 1
FAQs
- What is included in the BreedaCon Conference Pass?
Your Conference Pass gives you access to the complete Saturday and Sunday BreedaCon conference program.
Saturday is dedicated to canine reproduction and breeding science, with Dr Xavier Schneider covering male and female reproduction, Dr Kao Castle exploring canine genetics and responsible breeding, and Dr Nicole Rous presenting on titre testing and the canine microbiome, alongside our expert speaker panel and audience Q&A.
Sunday puts Puppy Culture and puppy development centre stage, with Jane Messineo Lindquist presenting across the day on fading puppies, ovulation timing and epigenetics, early neurological stimulation, maternal behaviour, fear periods and shaping emotional responses.
Your pass also includes the Sunday expert breeder panel, exhibition access and catering for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea across both conference days.
Conference Pass holders can also add a Friday Masterclass and a ticket to the BreedaCon Signature Networking Cruise, subject to availability.
- What will Jane Messineo Lindquist be presenting at BreedaCon?
Jane Messineo Lindquist, creator of Puppy Culture, is joining us from the United States for BreedaCon 2027.
On Sunday, Jane takes centre stage for an extensive program exploring Fading Puppies, Ovulation Timing & Epigenetics: Unexpected Connections; Re-Thinking Early Neurological Stimulation & Understanding Extreme Neurological Responses; Mother Knows Best – Or Does She?; The Function of Emotion: Understanding Fear & Fear Periods; and Shaping Emotional Responses.
Breeders wanting an even deeper learning experience with Jane can also book the limited capacity Puppy Culture Intensive Series on Friday.
- What happens on Friday at BreedaCon?
Friday is BreedaCon’s more intimate, practical Masterclass day.
Choose from the:
Puppy Culture Intensive Series with Jane Messineo Lindquist
Canine Colour Genetics with Dr Kao Castle
Pre & Post-Natal Canine Nutrition with international guest speaker Magda Chiarella
Breeder Essentials Series.
Friday Masterclasses have much smaller capacities than the main conference and are individually ticketed as add on ticketed activities with your conference ticket. For VIP ALL Access ticket holders, you will have the Puppy Culture Intensive full day workshop included in your ticket.
- Can I attend a Friday Masterclass without buying a Conference Pass?
No. Friday Masterclasses are exclusively available to attendees joining us for the BreedaCon Saturday and Sunday conference.
A valid BreedaCon Conference ticket or eligible VIP package is required to attend a Friday Masterclass.
- Can I book more than one Friday Masterclass?
Some Friday experiences can be combined. Canine Colour Genetics with Dr Kao Castle can be booked alongside Magda Chiarella’s Pre & Post-Natal Canine Nutrition series, as their scheduled sessions do not overlap.
The Puppy Culture Intensive Series and Breeder Essentials Series each run across the full Friday Masterclass program, so they cannot be combined with other Friday Masterclasses.
- What is included with Conference VIP?
Conference VIP includes the complete Saturday and Sunday conference program, a ticket to the BreedaCon Signature Networking Cruise, access to our reserved premium VIP seating section at the front of the conference room, plus the additional VIP inclusions detailed with your ticket package.
VIP seating is within a front reserved section, giving VIP guests the freedom to choose their preferred available seat with a premium dedicated position in the room.
Included in your VIP Conference package is:
The full Saturday and Sunday conference program
The BreedaCon Signature Networking Cruise
Premium VIP seating across the two conference days
VIP inclusions of a BreedaCon merchandise pack
Included Puppy Culture online course of choice of Puppy Culture or With Open Arms puppy owner course
- What is included with All Access VIP?
The difference with the All Access VIP is that this is the complete three day BreedaCon experience for Puppy Culture fans.
It includes:
Full Day Friday Puppy Culture Intensive Series with Jane Messineo Lindquist
The full Saturday and Sunday conference program
The BreedaCon Signature Networking Cruise
Premium VIP seating across the full three days
VIP inclusions of a BreedaCon merchandise pack
Included Puppy Culture online course of choice of Puppy Culture or With Open Arms puppy owner course
All Access VIP guests also have access to a dedicated VIP reserved seating section during Friday’s Puppy Culture Intensive Series.
- How does VIP reserved seating work?
Conference VIP and All Access VIP guests have a dedicated premium seating section at the front of the main conference room throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Seats are not individually allocated, so VIP guests can choose any available seat within the reserved section.
All Access VIP guests also receive reserved VIP seating during Friday’s Puppy Culture Intensive Series.
- What is the BreedaCon Signature Networking Cruise?
On Saturday evening, BreedaCon moves from the conference room to the water for our Signature Networking Cruise aboard YOT Club.
Departing Main Beach at 6:30pm, the private three-hour cruise brings breeders, speakers and industry guests together for an evening of great food, drinks, entertainment and connection on the Gold Coast waterways.
Guests will enjoy a premium catered experience, including drinks on arrival, an exceptional selection of food throughout the evening and drinks across the cruise. And because this is BreedaCon, expect a little fun along the way, including the Beagle Cup Race hosted by Dogs Queensland.
The Signature Networking Cruise is included with Conference VIP and All Access VIP, with a limited number of standalone Cruise tickets available to BreedaCon conference attendees.
- Is catering included?
Saturday and Sunday Conference tickets include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, giving attendees time to connect with other breeders, speakers and exhibitors throughout the day.
Friday Masterclass tickets include morning tea and afternoon tea, but do not include lunch, however Mantra On View does offer lunch options and the Friday session are structured with a dedicated lunch break provided between sessions.
There will be a dedicated coffee cart setup for the three days of BreedaCon for coffee lovers amongst us!
- What if I have dietary or accessibility requirements?
Please inform us about your dietary and accessibility requirements during checkout so the BreedaCon team can plan ahead for your attendance.
Further venue accessibility information is also provided on the event page, and attendees with specific requirements are welcome to contact the BreedaCon team before the event. Please contact hello@breedacon.com.au for any questions regarding this or to inform our team about your requirements.
- Is accommodation included?
Accommodation is not included with BreedaCon tickets. However, BreedaCon ticket holders have access to an exclusive discounted accommodation rate at Mantra on View, allowing you to stay right at the conference venue.
Details on how to access the BreedaCon accommodation rate will be provided in your post purchase attendee communications.
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