Hunting Dog Confidential
Explore the history, myths, and incredible stories of hunting dog breeds around the world. Co-hosted by Jennifer Wapenski and Craig Koshyk. A Project Upland Podcast. HUNTING DOG CONFIDENTIAL is made possible by Eukanuba Sporting Dog. Complete and balanced nutrition for your canine athlete. https://www.eukanubasportingdog.com/
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Episode 32: Drahthaars, Langhaars, Bretons, and Other International Breeds in America
06/08/2022
Episode 32: Drahthaars, Langhaars, Bretons, and Other International Breeds in America
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 translate, the use of the German name signifies a very specific system and methodology that exists behind the individual dog. Each of these breeds is managed by a U.S.-based chapter of the German parent club, rather than an AKC or NAVHDA-based breed club. The German clubs, along with their U.S.-based chapters, tie together a dog’s performance, health, and conformation into a single system. Before a dog can be bred, it must successfully complete a series of tests and evaluations. The purpose of this system is to ensure that the dogs maintain their consistent form and function, generation after generation. This fits in with the German hunting culture which requires “certified” hunting dogs in the field—in other words, it’s based on qualification rather than competition. So is a Drahthaar the same thing as a GWP? We settle on the answer of “it depends”—at least when it comes to an individual dog. One dog may be the offspring of two Drahthaars but if the parents weren’t tested and certified for breeding within the regulations, then the puppies can’t be considered Drahthaars…even if the genetics are the same. But if this continues for five, ten, or twenty generations, at which point do enough differences creep in that they could be considered different breeds altogether? So rather than studying any one individual dog, it’s more productive to look at the GWP vs. DD discussion at the larger population level. In that case, they are not the same thing, since the breeds are managed in entirely different manners. Is a German-bred dog right for you? Again, it depends. Jennifer talks about what drew her to the Deutsch Langhaar club, ultimately causing her to jump in feet first. But as with anything else, it’s a matter of personal preference. If the idea of a standardized system with strict protocols resonates with you, then it could be a great fit. On the other hand, if you bristle at the idea of being governed by a strict system, then it likely won’t be a good fit for you. Craig talks about the importance of evaluating the culture around a breed before deciding if it’s the right breed for you. Don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share this podcast! Share | Comment, review and discuss this episode of the podcast in our Facebook group. Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by and supported by and .
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Episode 31: The Modern Era of Bird Dogs in North America
03/31/2022
Episode 31: The Modern Era of Bird Dogs in North America
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, big-running dogs over the versatile, jack-of-all-trades dogs produced in Germany. As the new breeds looked to gain a foothold in North America, some clubs sought marketing help to take advantage of the growing influence of television and mass media to generate interest in their breed. The Weimaraner is a classic example of publicity and popularity gone wrong—while the efforts to market the breed were wildly successful and led to an explosion in popularity, the dog failed to live up to all the wonder-dog hype and quickly fell out of favor. As with anything, popularity is a double-edged sword; breed clubs have long sought to straddle the line between promoting the dogs to hunters without losing control of the messaging and, ultimately, the natural hunting abilities. The introduction of the versatile breeds from the European continent eventually led to the formation of NAVHDA, which represented a stark departure from the competitive nature of traditional field trials. This new system was based on the German versatile hunting dog system with some changes made to better suit the North American hunting traditions. What began as an idea in a living room in Canada eventually became an international club with thousands of dogs tested annual and membership growing every year. The late part of the twentieth century saw a major transformation in the availability of technology and information, ultimately culminating in the introduction of the internet and, later, social media. Suddenly, hunters could connect with like-minded people across the globe. Breeding decisions were influenced by genetic testing. Litters could be advertised and promoted with the click of a button. Information that was once limited to members of certain clubs is now widely available to anyone with an internet connection. This modern era is characterized by technology, information, and—ultimately—connection. What does this new era mean to the future of breed clubs and registries? Craig has a few ideas about how these organizations will need to change, or else risk becoming irrelevant. Tune in to hear his vision and encouragement for riding the inevitable waves of change. Enjoy the show and don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share this podcast. Share | Comment, review and discuss this episode of the podcast in our Facebook group. Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by and supported by and .
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Episode 30: The Golden Age of Hunting Dogs in North America
02/09/2022
Episode 30: The Golden Age of Hunting Dogs in North America
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 apply a consistent technique along with a form of quality control. Registries were formed, pedigrees were issued, and dogs were judged according to newly established standards. The result was consistency in breeding and a standardized form and function for the dogs. While hunting was still an everyman’s activity, dog enthusiasts knew that they needed “men of means” in order for dog breeding to really gain momentum. Before long, success in the show ring and in field trials was accompanied by increased social standing. This increased attention—and financial backing—was exactly what hunting dogs needed to reach their golden age. Pointers and Setters were the first breeds to become established in North America, but imported dogs from Europe soon followed. The “Russian Setter” (likely a Wirehared Pointing Griffon) was an early arrival, followed soon after by the Brittany, German Shorthaired Pointer, and the Labrador. We discuss some theories on why—with the exception of the Griffon—those early imported breeds went on to become some of the most popular hunting dogs in North America today. We end the episode right around the end of the second World War, when returning servicemen and women were bringing new German hunting dog breeds back home to North America. The economic boom and the growth of the middle class fueled an explosion in popularity for many of these dog breeds. For some dogs, popularity was both a blessing and a curse. Stay tuned for the next episode where we discuss some of these examples. Enjoy the show and don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share this podcast. Share | Comment, review and discuss this episode of the podcast in our Facebook group. Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by and supported by and .
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Episode 29: Early America, Part 2
12/30/2021
Episode 29: Early America, Part 2
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
12/09/2021
Episode 28: Early America, Part 1
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
11/18/2021
Episode 27: A Sense of Place
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
09/01/2021
Episode 26: Hawking and Bird Dogs with Anthony Williams
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
07/10/2021
Episode 25: Conservation and Forestry Management in Germany with Nadja Niesner
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
06/18/2021
Episode 24: Big Game and German Utility Dogs with Nadja Niesner
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
05/15/2021
Episode 23: Irish Water Spaniels with Russell Dodd
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.
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Episode 22: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers with Grant St. Germain
04/29/2021
Episode 22: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers with Grant St. Germain
Our guest interview this week is with a Canadian waterfowl hunter who grew up hunting ducks in Nova Scotia. As a kid, Grant St. Germain was introduced to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller, through family friends who were among the early advocates for the breed.
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Episode 21: Hunting and Field Trials in Continental Europe with Marjolein Kamman-van Eijk
04/16/2021
Episode 21: Hunting and Field Trials in Continental Europe with Marjolein Kamman-van Eijk
Our guest interview this week stayed in the pointing dog theme, but we stepped across the English Channel into continental Europe to explore hunting opportunities and the field trialing scene on the mainland. Marjolein Kamman-van Eijk is an accomplished field trialer, dog breeder, and all-around hunting dog enthusiast. She began with longhaired Weimaraners, but as her interest in field trials grew, she started keeping and breeding English Setters along with the Weims.
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Episode 20: Pointers and Setters on the English Moors with David Hudson
03/12/2021
Episode 20: Pointers and Setters on the English Moors with David Hudson
Kicking off our exploration of the methods of hunting with a dog, we start on the grouse moors of England and Scotland. We welcome our first guest to the show, David Hudson, who is an author, photographer, and pointing dog enthusiast with a rich history in the world of Pointers and Setters in the UK.
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Episode 19: Hunting Methods
02/25/2021
Episode 19: Hunting Methods
We are back with season two of the Hunting Dog Confidential podcast. In the first season, we answered the question of “what dogs are used as hunting dogs?” We looked at various breeds and types of dogs that are hunted all over the world, both in the modern day as well as throughout history. Now, we turn our attention to the “how.” How are dogs used and what are the various methods of hunting with dogs?
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Episode 18: Terriers
01/07/2021
Episode 18: Terriers
We wrap up our survey of hunting dogs with a look at working terriers. Terriers developed to fill a need where humans needed to get to game in a situation where we were ill-equipped to do so. Just like sight hounds were developed to be faster than us to catch running game and scenting dogs were developed with better noses than us to find otherwise-camouflaged game, terriers were developed to be able to locate and access game below ground in tunnels and dens.
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Episode 17: Teckels and Feist
12/10/2020
Episode 17: Teckels and Feist
In this episode, we explore two very different types of hunting dogs, both of which defy any attempt to fit neatly within a single category. Dachshunds, also known as Teckels, are versatile hunting dogs that excel at hunting birds or tracking game. Feist are a category of dogs that represent the varied preferences of squirrel hunters throughout North America. Both dogs are relatively unknown as hunting dogs, but within their community lies a fiercely devoted and passionate group of enthusiasts.
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Episode 16: Scent Hounds, Running Hounds, and Badger Hounds
11/26/2020
Episode 16: Scent Hounds, Running Hounds, and Badger Hounds
In this episode, we continue our journey through the hounds, moving into the well-known category of scent hounds. These dogs are characterized by their extraordinary ability to follow a scent trail, not only the fresh trail of a wounded animal, but also the “sweat trail” of an animal that may have passed through days earlier.
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Episode 15: Lurchers and Longdogs
11/12/2020
Episode 15: Lurchers and Longdogs
In this episode, we take a detour off the path of well-known sighthound breeds and venture into the somewhat murky and mysterious world of lurchers and longdogs.
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Episode 14: Introduction to Sight Hounds
10/29/2020
Episode 14: Introduction to Sight Hounds
In this episode, we look at the group of hounds known as sight hounds or gaze hounds. These dogs are known for using their eyesight to find and track prey, but more importantly, these dogs use their incredible speed to pursue and overtake their quarry. Having been developed almost exclusively for speed, sight hounds even have larger hearts and different blood chemistry from other breeds of dogs.
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Episode 13: Overview of Hounds
10/15/2020
Episode 13: Overview of Hounds
In this episode, we begin a broad survey of hounds, beginning with a linguistic exercise to uncover the meaning of the word “hound.” The general nature of the word perhaps explains the very broad range of hound dogs today.
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Episode 12: The Spitz Breeds
10/01/2020
Episode 12: The Spitz Breeds
In this episode, we travel way back in time to some of the earliest types of dogs that developed alongside humans for the mutual benefit of dog and man. These dogs are classified as spitz dogs, named for their pointy ears and muzzle. While the various breeds are found around the world and used in a variety of working tasks, they all share a few key characteristics: a thick coat, pointy ears, a tail that curls up, and an independent character that harkens back to their earliest ancestors.
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Episode 11: Duck Tolling and the Murray River Retriever
09/17/2020
Episode 11: Duck Tolling and the Murray River Retriever
In this episode, we respond to listener feedback about a couple of more unusual retriever breeds and a strange way of attracting ducks to waiting hunters. First, we discuss the Murray River Curly-Coated Retriever. A listener from Australia alerted us to this rare landrace which has been used for centuries along the Murray River of South Australia. After that, we talk about the history of "tolling" and how dogs such as the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever came about.
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Episode 10: Curly-Coated, Flat-Coated, and Golden Retrievers
09/03/2020
Episode 10: Curly-Coated, Flat-Coated, and Golden Retrievers
This episode continues our path through the origins of today’s modern retriever breeds by focusing on the Curly-coated Retriever, Flat-coated Retriever, and Golden Retriever. 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.
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Episode 9: The History of the Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
08/20/2020
Episode 9: The History of the Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Trace the history of the Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers from their origins as the St. John's Water Dog to the modern day breeds that we know today.
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Episode 8: Origins of the Retrieving Dogs
08/06/2020
Episode 8: Origins of the Retrieving Dogs
Our exploration of the history of hunting dogs has led us to North America, where we uncover the earliest origins of the retriever breeds. In this episode, we discuss whether the Labrador Retriever is really a North American breed, or whether it’s a British breed that owes its roots to the back-and-forth trade between England and the new communities on the eastern coast of North America.
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Episode 7: From Spaniels to Retrievers
07/23/2020
Episode 7: From Spaniels to Retrievers
Continuing where we left off on hunting spaniels, we pick up the discussion of spaniel origins and what made them different from other hunting dogs at the time. Soon, a new type of hunting required a dog that could wait patiently at the master's side before being sent to track down and retrieve the quarry. To find this kind of patience and obedience, hunters looked toward working dogs; specifically, they found what they needed aboard merchant and fishing boats traveling between Europe and North America.
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Episode 6: Hunting Spaniels
07/09/2020
Episode 6: Hunting Spaniels
Explore the origins of flushing spaniel breeds, including Irish water, Boykin, cocker, springer, Clumber, and many other lesser-known hunting spaniels. Learn about how these gun dogs were developed and how they are used in the field today.
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Episode 5: Breed Origins Part 3 - United Kingdom and Ireland
06/25/2020
Episode 5: Breed Origins Part 3 - United Kingdom and Ireland
Exploring the origin of pointing dog breeds from the United Kingdom and Ireland, specifically pointers, setters, and the Irish setter breeds
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Episode 4: Breed Origins Part 2 - East of the Rhine
06/11/2020
Episode 4: Breed Origins Part 2 - East of the Rhine
Exploring the history of the pointing dog breeds that were developed in continental Europe east of the Rhine River
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Episode 3: Breed Origins Part 1 - West of the Rhine
05/28/2020
Episode 3: Breed Origins Part 1 - West of the Rhine
Exploring the history of the pointing dog breeds that were developed in continental Europe west of the Rhine River
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