Hunting Dog Confidential

Author: Project Upland Media Group

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.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: Nature, Science, Society & Culture

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

How the German Wirehaired Pointer Put Performance Over Pedigree
Episode 9
Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

In this episode of Hunting Dog Confidential, host and dog historian Craig Koshyk explores the remarkable history of the Deutsch-Drahthaar, known in English as the German Wirehaired Pointer. Tracing the breed’s origins to turn-of-the-century Germany, Craig explains how a small group of forward-thinking breeders broke with convention by opening the studbook and prioritizing performance over pedigree purity. Against the backdrop of nationalism, war, and strict dog breed politics, he follows the rise of the Drahthaar from a controversial experiment to Germany’s most dominant versatile gundog. Along the way, Craig examines the philosophy of “form follows function,” the breed’s survival through two world wars, its spread to North America, and the enduring debate over names, systems, and identity that still surrounds the breed today.Listen to past episodes here: Hunting Dog Confidential Podcast