In this episode of Hunting Dog Confidential, host and dog historian Craig Koshyk uncovers the turbulent and almost-forgotten story of the Stichelhaar—Germany’s oldest rough-haired pointing breed and one that nearly vanished more than once. From 19th-century arguments over its origins to the nationalist politics, studbook battles, and misguided purity standards that choked its gene pool, Craig charts how this rugged old hunting dog survived in spite of its breeders rather than because of them. Along the way, he reveals its deep connections to the drahthaar, its close kinship with the Český fousek, and the small circle of modern hunters and breeders fighting to keep it alive. The episode follows Craig’s own journey to finally see the breed in northern Germany, offering a rare glimpse into a resilient gundog whose story is as tangled and wiry as its coat—yet still deserving of recognition, respect, and a future.

Listen to past episodes here: Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast

In this episode of Hunting Dog Confidential, host and dog historian Craig Koshyk unravels the unlikely origins of the Pudelpointer—the world’s first true “designer dog” that actually worked. From the ambition of German hunters seeking the perfect versatile gun dog to the barons, breeders, and field trials that defined a generation, Craig traces how this bold experiment challenged tradition and reshaped the very idea of what a versatile hunting dog could be. Along the way, he explores the breed’s enduring success, its contrast with modern designer dogs, and why the Pudelpointer remains a symbol of purpose-driven breeding done right.

Listen to past episodes here: Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast

In this episode of Hunting Dog Confidential, host and dog historian Craig Koshyk takes us deep into the fascinating history of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Beginning in the 1800s with Eduard Korthals’s vision as a young Dutchman working for a German prince, through international debates over crossbreeding, nationalism, and breed standards, Craig traces how the Griffon emerged as a versatile gundog with its own unique identity. Along the way, he explores the myths about the breed’s hunting style, its ups and downs through wars and club politics, and the passionate breeders who shaped it into the dog we know today.

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In this episode, host and hunting dog historian Craig Koshyk joins co-host Jennifer Wapenski—co-owner and director of operations at Project Upland—to unpack where show-ring conformation meets real field performance. Can the show ring judge a dog’s ability to hunt? Are parts of show-ring culture promoting lines that haven’t hunted for generations? They trace how standards originated, question assumptions such as straight-set legs and “ideal” shoulder angles, and compare Europe’s performance-anchored evaluations with North America’s ring-centric culture—arguing that form and function are inseparable for true working dogs.

They also dig into ethics and honesty in breeding: what “champion” really means without field proof, why lifetime records of structure and performance matter, and how breeders can give hunters clear, evidence-based guidance. Whether you come from the show side, the field side, or somewhere in between, the conversation offers a practical path forward—education, transparent evaluation, and testing that prioritizes real-world work.

Listen to past episodes here: Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast

In this episode, Craig Koshyk explores two distinct perspectives on pointing dog tails—whether they should be held high or low. What might seem like a minor detail sparks a deeper debate shaped by centuries of breeding, cultural differences, and shifting hunting styles. Craig takes us back in time through research, art, photographic evidence, and written accounts from the early years of pointing dogs. He expands on his own personal experiences, from Europe to the United States, and offers theories on how and why these differences—and the strong opinions surrounding them—persist today.

Parts of this history have broader implications, including the crossbreeding of not just various hunting dog breeds but even hounds. It prompts us to think long and hard about whether the tail truly matters—and when it does, why it matters at all.

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In this episode, Craig Koshyk—renowned hunting dog historian and author—takes us on a deep dive into the fascinating world of breed names. From the earliest landraces to today’s officially recognized breeds, Craig unpacks how language, geography, and hunting traditions shaped the names we use for dogs today.

Through engaging stories and expert insight, Craig explores everything from the confusion around the word spaniel, to double-nosed pointers in Spain, to the meaning behind terms like braque, épagneul, and vizsla. Whether you’ve got a German Wirehair, a Picardy Spaniel, or a Labrador, this episode will give you a new appreciation for what your dog’s breed name really means—and where it came from.

Listen to past episodes here: Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast

The episode, hosted by Craig Koshyk, a renowned dog historian, explores how early German immigrants, particularly those who settled in Texas, may have introduced hunting dogs before the popularization of breeds like the  German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP). Koshyk, author of Pointing Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals and Pointing Dogs, Volume Two: The British and Irish Breeds, provides historically accurate insights, suggesting that settlers arriving in the 1830s and 1840s could have brought ancestral hunting breeds, challenging the belief that German gundogs first appeared in America in the 1930s.

Craig Koshyk, author of Pointing Dogs, Volume Two: The British and Irish Breeds, explores the unlikely story of how the Pointer rose to fame over the English Setter in America. At the time, this was something no one in the field trial circuit ever imagined possible, and before long, the Pointer dominated trialing. This is a story of culture, changing times, and America's continued efforts to advance everything they put their hands on.

Don't adjust your sets - we are back with a brief update on all things HDC! We've been getting lots of questions about the podcast, the magazine, and what other projects we have in the works. Craig and Jennifer are here to answer those questions and let you know what's in the pipeline for 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 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.

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Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by Eukanuba Premium Performance Dog Food and supported by Syren USA and Kent Cartridge.<