Craig Koshyk

From their home base in Winnipeg, Craig Koshyk and Lisa Trottier travel all over hunting everything from snipe, woodcock to grouse, geese and pheasants. In the 1990s they began a quest to research, photograph, and hunt over all of the pointing breeds from continental Europe and published Pointing Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals. The follow-up to the first volume, Pointing Dogs, Volume Two, the British and Irish Breeds, is slated for release in 2020.

29 Articles Published | Follow:
Brittany: Breed Characteristics, Abilities, and History

How a little French spaniel developed into an internationally popular versatile hunting dog. Brittanies are…

Two American hunters, one with a Pointer and the other with an English Setter.
The Rise of the English Pointer in America

Dog historian Craig Koshyk explores the Pointer’s rise from a lesser-known breed to dominance in…

Krambambuli the famous hunting dog
Six Famous Hunting Dogs in History

The legacies of Old Drum, Fend L’Air, Judy the Pointer, and more reach far beyond…

An illustrated portrait of Edward Laverack
Edward Laverack: the Father of the English Setter

The life and times of Edward Laverack, the man renowned for remodeling the English Setter,…

a painting of dogs believed to have been russian setters
The Russian Setter

Explore the history and story of a curious dog breed that never was. Sprinkled here…

Pachón Navarro – The Spanish Double-Nosed Pointer

The history, identification, and standards of the Spanish pointing dog breed known as the Pachón…

a Stichelhaar or German Rough Haired Pointer
Stichelhaar – German Rough Haired Pointer: Dog Breed Information, Form, Function, and History

The Stichelhaar (German Rough Haired Pointer) is a rough-and-tumble hunting dog that is probably the…

A Weimaraner in a field
Weimaraner – Dog Breed Information, Form, Function, History, and More

Weimaraners are a medium to large pointing dog breed that are tireless, cooperative workers and…

A Hungarian Vizsla holds an intense point while hunting
Vizsla: Dog Breed Information, Form, Function, History, and More

The Hungarian Vizsla is a Medium-sized pointing dog breed with an energetic, affectionate, eager-to-please personality…

Bracco Italiano on Point in a field
Bracco Italiano Dog Breed Information, History, Function, and More

The Bracco Italiano is a large pointing breed with a hound-like appearance known for its…

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon stands in the woods
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon – Dog Breed Information, Form, Function, History, and More

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium-sized dog that combines a rough-and-tumble coat with a…

A side profile of a Pudelpointer while hunting.
Pudelpointer – Dog Breed Form, Function, History, and More

This medium-sized versatile dog breed is known to be friendly, inquisitive, and very social. Way…

Capercaillie or Wood Grouse Heather Cock in Europe
Failed Game Bird Introductions in North America

What if more than just a few of the many programs to introduce foreign species…

An Irish Setter on point in Ireland
Development and History of the Irish Red Setter

How the Irish Setter Breed Came to Be on Both Sides of the Atlantic With…

German Shorthaired Pointer on point.
German Shorthaired Pointer – ‘The Most Popular Versatile Dog in the World’

The author explores the German Shorthaired Pointer’s multiple connections with hunting dogs around the world…

Managing Editor Jennifer Wapenski bird hunting in Washighton state.
Let the Dogs Lead the Way – A Project Upland Original Film

This is the story of Jennifer Wapenski, Managing Editor of Hunting Dog Confidential Magazine, and…

a group of setting spaniels
The Word “Setter” Does Not Mean What We Think It Does

The truth behind the word ‘setter’ has quite the history behind it; one you may…

A painting of the Brown and White Norfolk or Water Spaniel.
Extinction: The History of Lost Dog Breeds

Among pointing dogs, a number of breeds have already disappeared; others may follow them unless…

A waterfowl hunter walks out of a marsh.
Discovering BioAmmo: Investing in Biodegradable Shotshells for a Cleaner Environment

Two hunters’ quest to leave as small of a footprint as possible leads them to…

An old painting of early gun dogs used by nobility.
Gun Dog – The Evolution and Definition of Modern Dog Breeds

The history of gundogs and firearms are intertwined as the development of one fueled the…

A brown Spinone hunting dog stands in a field
Spinone Italiano – Complete History and Development

The traditional, rough-haired Italian pointing dog overcame difficult odds to become a modern, versatile hunting…