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.

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 Project Upland Community Facebook group.

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