Episode 10: Curly-Coated, Flat-Coated, and Golden Retrievers
Release Date: 09/03/2020
Episode 32: Drahthaars, Langhaars, Bretons, and Other International Breeds in America
Hunting Dog Confidential
We’ve been talking about the role of “place” in the history and culture of hunting dog breeds, but not every breed fits neatly within geographical boundaries. There are several breeds in North America who have a foot in two worlds: the parent country (often Germany) as well as North America. We explore breeds such as the Deutsch Drahthaar, Deutsch Langhaar, and Deutsch Kurzhaar which are known by their German language names in order to differentiate from the German Wirehaired Pointer, German Longhaired Pointer, and German Shorthaired Pointer. Even though the names directly...
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Episode 31: The Modern Era of Bird Dogs in North America
Hunting Dog Confidential
The end of World War II saw thousands of American servicemen and servicewomen returning home to the United States and Canada, many of whom brought home new dogs they’d met while in occupied Germany. These “new” dogs were unlike the setters and Pointers that dominated the bird dog scene in North America. Defying labels, these dogs could search, point, retrieve, and track. Some of these dogs fit in well with the American field trial culture and found success alongside setters and Pointers. Others, however, struggled to find success in the competitive environment that favored fast,...
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Episode 30: The Golden Age of Hunting Dogs in North America
Hunting Dog Confidential
Up until the late nineteenth century, the use and breeding of hunting dogs in North America was rather chaotic. Dogs were used in a variety of different ways, whether it was market hunters using Setters to retrieve waterfowl or big game hunters using Pointers to track and hold wounded elk at bay. There was no consistency in the breeding, either, as different types of dogs were often mixed and matched at will. Before long, though, some of the same concepts from the industrial revolution found their way into dog fancy. In order to achieve consistent results, fanciers knew they needed to...
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Episode 29: Early America, Part 2
Hunting Dog Confidential
We continue the history of hunting dogs as a function of place and time, resuming our discussion about dogs in North America in the colonial era. When Europeans arrived on North American shores—whether it was the Spanish, the French, or the English—we know that they had dogs with them. Early writings and paintings from this era depict a variety of dogs that accompanied the colonists for purposes of protection and hunting.
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Episode 28: Early America, Part 1
Hunting Dog Confidential
This season of Hunting Dog Confidential will explore the history of hunting dogs as a function of place and time. We begin in North America, starting with the earliest evidence of domesticated dogs from about 10,000 years ago. This episode brings us right up to the end of the pre-colonial era in the fifteenth century. We’ll continue our exploration of North American hunting dog history in the next episode.
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Episode 27: A Sense of Place
Hunting Dog Confidential
We are back with a sneak peek of season three of the Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast. Craig and Jennifer catch up on what they’ve been up to since the last episode (hint: they’ve been hunting with their dogs) and what’s new in the Hunting Dog Confidential world. This season will explore the "where" of our hunting dogs, not only the geography but the time in which they were created and developed. The story of dogs is intertwined in the fabric of human culture and we can't wait to dive in even deeper.
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Episode 26: Hawking and Bird Dogs with Anthony Williams
Hunting Dog Confidential
Anthony Williams is the epitome of versatility when it comes to the bird dog world. Growing up in Queens didn't dissuade him from his goals of hunting, running bird dogs, and flying a hawk. His initial exposure to birds was raising pigeons in New York, followed by his first experiences with falconry in an overgrown junkyard. This led him toward bird dogs, where he developed a love for the versatile breeds. Now, he has wirehaired Teckels, a Drahthaar, and a wirehaired Vizsla in addition to his hawks.
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Episode 25: Conservation and Forestry Management in Germany with Nadja Niesner
Hunting Dog Confidential
This episode is the continuation of the discussion we started last time with German hunter and hunting instructor, Nadja Niesner. We discuss how dogs are used to hunt various predators and invasive species such as raccoons and foxes. Before we get into the conversation, though, we address a listener question regarding the colors of hunting dogs.
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Episode 24: Big Game and German Utility Dogs with Nadja Niesner
Hunting Dog Confidential
Our guest interview this week is with Nadja Niesner, a German hunter, dog breeder, and hunt test judge with a vast range of experiences in the German hunting dog world. Her primary breed of choice is the Weimaraner, but she also enjoys her Brandel Bracke, Fox Terrier, and Cocker Spaniels.
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Episode 23: Irish Water Spaniels with Russell Dodd
Hunting Dog Confidential
Learn about upland and waterfowl hunting and AKC testing with a dog that bridges the span between a flushing spaniel and a water retriever: the Irish Water Spaniel.
info_outlineThis episode continues our path through the origins of today’s modern retriever breeds by focusing on the Curly-coated, Flat-coated, and Golden Retrievers. All three of these breeds were developed in England and came to be known by the characteristics of their coat as opposed to a geographic name.
The least well-known of these breeds is the Curly-coated Retriever which, despite a reputation for a strong work ethic and agreeable personality, has never enjoyed much popularity in the retriever world. The Curly is one of the oldest of the retriever breeds but has never had more than a couple hundred new dogs registered in any given year. Their unique, tightly-curled coat is effective for shedding water as well as providing additional warmth. The origins of this coat aren’t known with any degree of certainty; it could harken all the way back to the St. John’s Water Dog, or it could be the result of adding in Barbet or Water Spaniel breeding stock along the way.
The Flat-coated Retriever actually enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the English hunting scene prior to the explosion of the Labrador. Their beautiful, raven-black coat and noble gait have earned them a reputation of being almost royal in their appearance and carriage. In fact, author David Hancock went so far as to suggest that Flat-coats be renamed the English Retriever due to the fact that no retriever breed ever maintained an eponymous link to the country… and what better candidate than the noble Flat-coated Retriever.
Among these breeds, the Golden Retriever has enjoyed the most popularity by far, whether as a companion, a mascot, a service dog, or as a hunting dog. The Golden’s lovable, good-natured personality leaves no doubt as to why they have found so much success in the pet market. Field lines, however, have produced some outstanding hunting dogs with the same capacity for running in field trials and hunting birds as the rest of the retriever breeds.
We wrap up the episode with a discussion of the now-extinct Norfolk Retriever which, based on the descriptions that remain, sounds awfully similar to today’s Chesapeake Retriever. Its origins are unknown, but it’s not unreasonable to guess that the shipwrecked puppies that led to the Chessie may have had relatives that did in fact make it to England. There is no question that none of our dog breeds were developed in a vacuum; instead, their rich history is intertwined and connected with other dogs of the same era.
Tune in to hear more about the development of these retrievers and how they came to be the world-class athletes and trusted companions that they are today. As always, we thank you for listening and hope you’ll continue to reach out with your comments, questions, and ideas. We can be reached at [email protected]. And don’t forget this week’s big announcement, that Hunting Dog Confidential is going to print! We are so excited to unveil this magazine which will feature stories of all kinds of hunting dogs from all around the world. Check out the official announcement and subscribe today!
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Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by Eukanuba Premium Performance Dog Food