The German Influence on Hunting Dog Breeds - Wolfsmühle Kennels Documentary

The German influence on hunting dog breeds dates back to the 19th century when German settlers brought their traditions to North America. 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.

The episode highlights Prince Karl of Solms-Braunfels, who led German settlers to Texas and founded New Braunfels, and his nephew, Prince Albrecht of Solms-Braunfels, who played a key role in hunting dog breeding. Prince Albrecht initially favored British breeds such as Pointers, English Setters, Gordon Setters, and Irish Setters. His Wolfsmühle Kennels, described as "a vast, beautiful establishment," housed top-tier hunting dogs. However, rising German nationalism led to a shift from British breeds to the development of German versatile hunting dogs. Dutch breeder Edward Korthals, supported by Prince Albrecht, developed the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, an all-purpose hunting breed.

The episode also discusses the Jagdhorn, or German hunting horn, traditionally used to communicate during hunts. Koshyk describes how it was used in Germany to signal key moments such as the start and end of the hunt and to honor game taken. "Specific notes or patterns or songs were used to communicate various messages to hunters over a great distance." In North America, the tradition is largely absent except within German-affiliated hunting clubs such as the Deutsch-Drahthaar and Deutsch-Kurzhaar clubs.

The episode concludes by connecting German hunting practices to modern North American hunting culture. German testing systems and breeding philosophies influenced the establishment of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) in the 1960s, preserving the versatile hunting dog model in North America.

📍 Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the German influence on hunting dogs
01:13 How communication has changed in the field
01:50 The hunting horn in Germany
04:54 The German horn in America (Texas)
06:30 German/Texan history
07:10 What does this all have to do with hunting dogs?
07:47 German dog breeds in America
09:40 German immigration to America with Prince Karl of Solms-Braunfels
10:29 Prince Karl returns to Germany
10:46 Prince Karls nephew, Prince Albrecht of Solms-Braunfels
10:53 The famous Wolfsmühle Kennels in Germany
11:44 Prince Albrecht collection of purebred dogs
12:10 Prince Albrecht interest in English hunting dogs
12:30 Field trial winning dogs in Prince Albrecht's collection
14:00 The pursuit of a German hunting dog breed
14:40 Prince Albrecht brings Edward Korthals to run Wolfsmühle Kennel
14:57 Edward Korthals (Dutch) creates the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
15:37 Prince Albrecht becomes sick
15:54 The sale of Prince Albrecht prized dogs
16:19 Prince Albrecht's death
17:41 The fate of English dog breeds in Germany
18:08 The creation of German versatile hunting dogs
18:20 The creation of the dog hunt test concepts
18:30 In the 1960's a German immigrant creates NAVHDA based on hunt tests (NAVHDA)
18:50 Conclusion of the German influence on hunting dog breeds in America

This is a Project Upland Magazine Original Production: projectupland.com