Episode 1: Origins
05/04/20 • 50 min
Co-hosts Craig Koshyk and Jennifer Wapenski launch Hunting Dog Confidential by diving into the origins of pointing dogs. This first episode will kick off a mini-series exploring the origins of pointing dog breeds across continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
So what’s actually happening when a bird dog goes on point? Did you know that you are likely an experienced pointer? If you’ve ever paused just before swatting at a fly, then you have exhibited this same behavior that makes pointing dogs such effective hunting companions.
Discover fascinating stories about early bird hunting and how certain dogs who happened to “pause” before pouncing became an asset to the hunters of the day. Learn about “bird-batting” and “low-belling”, archaic bird hunting techniques where hunters went out at night to find roosted flocks of birds to flush and actually bat to the ground. Early accounts tell tales of skilled dogs that could locate the birds in the dark and point toward the roosts – perhaps the earliest accounts of hunting over pointing dogs.
As our hunting styles evolved, our preference in dogs also changed as we developed new styles of dogs to match the new methods. The introduction of firearms was a major game-changer for bird hunting; during the transition period to reliable firearms, long-haired and short-haired pointing breeds entered the scene once an extended search and prolonged point became useful to the hunter.
“By the time we get to the 1700s you’ve got light enough guns, and by that time the pointer starts coming out of Spain and starts moving into England. That is the dawn of the golden age of pointing dogs. That’s when the true bird dog - the gun dog, the pointing dog that we know today - came to exist in about 1700.”
Finally, Craig and Jennifer wrap up the discussion with some commentary on the current Coronavirus pandemic, how that affects the bird dog community, and what we can learn from history about reacting to a global crisis.
READ: The Great Pause – World Crisis, History, and the Hunting Dog World
Tune in to hear the stories, uncover the myths, and discover the history of the dogs that we know and love today.
Share | Comment, review and discuss this episode of the podcast in our Project Upland Community Facebook group.
Enjoy the show and don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe and share this podcast.
Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by Eukanuba Premium Performance Dog Food
Co-hosts Craig Koshyk and Jennifer Wapenski launch Hunting Dog Confidential by diving into the origins of pointing dogs. This first episode will kick off a mini-series exploring the origins of pointing dog breeds across continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
So what’s actually happening when a bird dog goes on point? Did you know that you are likely an experienced pointer? If you’ve ever paused just before swatting at a fly, then you have exhibited this same behavior that makes pointing dogs such effective hunting companions.
Discover fascinating stories about early bird hunting and how certain dogs who happened to “pause” before pouncing became an asset to the hunters of the day. Learn about “bird-batting” and “low-belling”, archaic bird hunting techniques where hunters went out at night to find roosted flocks of birds to flush and actually bat to the ground. Early accounts tell tales of skilled dogs that could locate the birds in the dark and point toward the roosts – perhaps the earliest accounts of hunting over pointing dogs.
As our hunting styles evolved, our preference in dogs also changed as we developed new styles of dogs to match the new methods. The introduction of firearms was a major game-changer for bird hunting; during the transition period to reliable firearms, long-haired and short-haired pointing breeds entered the scene once an extended search and prolonged point became useful to the hunter.
“By the time we get to the 1700s you’ve got light enough guns, and by that time the pointer starts coming out of Spain and starts moving into England. That is the dawn of the golden age of pointing dogs. That’s when the true bird dog - the gun dog, the pointing dog that we know today - came to exist in about 1700.”
Finally, Craig and Jennifer wrap up the discussion with some commentary on the current Coronavirus pandemic, how that affects the bird dog community, and what we can learn from history about reacting to a global crisis.
READ: The Great Pause – World Crisis, History, and the Hunting Dog World
Tune in to hear the stories, uncover the myths, and discover the history of the dogs that we know and love today.
Share | Comment, review and discuss this episode of the podcast in our Project Upland Community Facebook group.
Enjoy the show and don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe and share this podcast.
Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by Eukanuba Premium Performance Dog Food
Next Episode
Episode 2: Culture
In this episode, co-hosts Craig Koshyk and Jennifer Wapenski explore the idea that hunting dogs are a reflection of the culture from which they originate. This broad survey of hunting cultures across time and place will set the stage for future discussions at the regional and breed level.
Craig’s experiences while researching pointing dog breeds across Europe were not only educational, but also deeply enriching for his own hunting practices and traditions. Cultural exchanges with hunters from other backgrounds turned out to be valuable for both parties – whether it was the type of game hunted, how the game was prepared, or how the dogs were trained to behave on the hunt.
Listen as they share stories about how hunting cultures vary between North America and Europe, which in turn gave rise to a variety of hunting dog characteristics that reflect the preferences and values of those hunters. For example, German foresters needed dogs that could “do it all” – find birds, control predator populations, and stand up to “bad guy” poachers. On the other hand, the French breeds tended to be a little more specialized and laid-back in their approach to life.
For someone who is interested in enriching their own hunting experience, a trip to Europe is certainly a great way to expand your horizons. If that’s not possible though, here are a few recommendations:
- Learn about your own culture and hunting heritage. Why are things done the way they are? What makes them unique?
- Travel the world with your laptop and see how things are done in other places. Not sure where to get started? Here are the two YouTube links Craig suggested:
Tune in to hear the stories, uncover the myths, and discover the history of the dogs that we know and love today.
Share | Comment, review and discuss this episode of the podcast in our Project Upland Community Facebook group.
Enjoy the show and don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe and share this podcast.
Hunting Dog Confidential is presented by Eukanuba Premium Performance Dog Food
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