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
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59:58
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59:58
The History and Debate of High Tails Versus Low Tails in Pointing Dogs
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.Listen to past episodes here: Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast
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42:01
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42:01
Breed, Strain, Variety, and Class: How Dog Breeds Got Their Names
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
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36:46
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36:46
The German Influence on Hunting Dog Breeds
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.
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23:07
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23:07
The Rise of the Pointer in America
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.
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.
New Zealand