Over a decade in the making, Pointing Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals is more than a rich collection of photographs. It is a definitive guide to the versatile gundog breeds of Continental Europe. It is an in-depth study of the history, development and current status of the pointing dog. And it is a remarkable travelog of an incredible journey. Written by a hunter for hunters, this volume provides detailed descriptions of all the pointing breeds from Continental Europe and it is illustrated with stunning images of hunting dogs doing what they were bred to do: hunt! CLICK HERE FOR A LOOK INSIDE.
The scope of this work is truly amazing.
When, at the outset, the author compared his research with what William Arkwright had undertaken at the very outset of shows and trials, but chronicling only one breed, the Pointer, I felt that he was perhaps guilty of self aggrandizing. Arkwright wrote the bible on the Pointer. As I proceeded through 'The Continentals' I soon realized that my impression was not only unfounded but unfair. Mr. Koshyk's work IS the modern day 'bible' on the continental pointing breeds, and its comprehensiveness is remarkable.
In short, this book is a staggering opus.
In the book, Craig often refers to people who have done a great service for their breed by, say, bringing it back from near-extinction or promoting working abilities. I think it's clear to anyone with their hands on this epic that Craig, himself, has done a great service for all these breeds through creating something which is such a breathtaking tribute to the dogs we all live with, and love.
The quality and depth of the content, the design, your personal observations, and of course the fabulous photos, make this one of the best dog books (especially sporting dogs) I have ever read (and I have read quite a few). I'm sure this book will get some high praise from the dog community and the upland hunting crowd, both in Europe and North America. Besides its aesthetic qualities, it is highly educational and should do an excellent job introducing those unaware, myself included, of the many fine hunting breeds that exist in Europe (Yes Watson, there is life other than the GSP).
This is THE book about the Continental pointing dogs.
I don't think there is any similarly thorough, well-put-together, high quality book about the pointing dogs anywhere in the world. Not only are the pictures fantastic, but the very profound content makes the book a precious piece for anyone interested in hunting dogs. Not one breed of Continental Pointing Dogs is left out of the book, including breeds I have never seen or heard of. The descriptions of their working styles covered in each chapter gives a great overview for the reader.
Of course I went to the Weim pages first, but enjoyed randomly flipping around and reading about breeds I'd never heard of before. It will sit proudly on my book shelf!