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What is a Dogwatch, Anyway? dogwatch, n.
dogwatch, n. Nautical. A short watch of two hours’ duration instead of the usual four, from 4.00–6.00 p.m. or 6.00–8.00 p.m., that enables the turn of the night watch to be changed every twenty-four hours From 1657 We espied four and thirty ships more, under a Convoye, all coming from Brasil in the first of…
Ep 1: Evolution of Puppy Dog Eyes
In this episode we talk with Juliane Kaminski, a researcher who studies human sociality and social cognition, but who also studies dogs. In the conversation, we discuss the nature of cognition and what we know about how humans interact with dogs, how the familiar “puppy dog eyes” came to be, and what our dogs are…
Ep 57: Screen Printing Selvedge Bandanas
A bandana is a useful item. It can serve as a napkin, rag, bandage, drain plug, motorcycle repair tool, headwear, blindfold, flag, mask, pouch, or a stylish scarf. But not all bandanas are created equal. Many to most are stiff, paisley-printed and inked with plastisol to create a cheap and ultimately unsatisfying object. Today On…
Ep 55: What the Dog’s Nose Knows
Today On the Dogwatch we have the rare opportunity to talk with Nathan Hall, head of the Canine Olfaction Lab at Texas Tech. Nathan is not only a dog owner, but is also someone who studies dog behavior, has a vast knowledge of the canine literature, and does research on their behavior and olfactory abilities in…
Ep 49: The Kala Pocket Sundial
Today On the Dogwatch we have the opportunity to learn about the Kala Pocket Sundial, and to get to know its purveyor, Matt Kala. We go the distance on this episode, and along with learning a bit about Graz and the beauties of Austria, hear the story of how the pocket sundial was inspired by a…
Ep 56: Notebooks and Paper for the Field
When you head to the field with your notebook and pen in your hand–to either record the natural world or your thoughts while there–you want materials that will hold up to a wicked squall, a blizzard, or any combination of dirt, dung, misplaced hooves and paws, and even spilled coffee. Today we have the opportunity…
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Darwin, Domestication, and Dogs
On this episode of the Dogwatch talk with James Costa and learn about the role of domesticated organisms, like dogs, in the development of Darwin’s theory of natural selection. We range from Down House in England to the Galapagos and discuss how these organisms affected Darwin’s thinking. See Jim’s books: Darwin’s Backyard The Annotated Origin…
Ep 11: Desert Hounds, The History of Salukis
Today On the Dogwatch we turn our attention to Salukis, a fascinating breed of dogs from North Africa and the Middle East. There is no one better to guide us on a quest to understand these dogs than Brian Duggan, who has been a breeder and judge for these dogs for decades. Our story touches…
Ep 8: Reid Bryant at Orvis Talks Dogs
Today On the Dogwatch we have a wide-ranging talk with Reid Bryant about the history of Orvis, types of bird dogs and their relative functions, conservation, and his love of fine mechanical objects like shotguns and watches. Along with getting a window on dogs and hunting from New England, and not missing the opportunity to…
Ep 6: Decoys for Dummies. A Bird Dog Trainer Teaches Us
Today On the Dogwatch we connect with Tom Dokken, who runs Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels and has been training dogs for decades. In our conversation we discuss the basics of training bird dogs, the incredible flexibility of the dog as a subject of training, when to start and techniques of training, the significant effort it takes to…
Ep 5: The Majority of the World’s Dogs Are Free Ranging?
Today we extend our home range significantly by speaking with Anindita Bhadra, a researcher in Kolkata, India. Although difficult to estimate, the world population of free-ranging dogs is likely more than 200 million individuals and composes the majority of all dogs. We discuss with Anindita the nature of free-ranging dogs, their origin, behavior, and how…
Ep 4: Wolf Expert Dave Mech on Wolves and Dogs
Much like seeing a gray wolf in the wild, a chance to speak with wolf researcher Dave Mech is a rare and inspiring opportunity. Dave’s list of positions include being a Senior Research Scientist with the Biological Resources Division of the USGS, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, and…
Ep 61: Everything Rope, with Knot and Rope Supply
Hello, thank you for joining us today On the Dogwatch, where we consider the natural world and the things that help us experience it. I am Michael Canfield, it is currently 10:37 on the Forenoon Watch, and this is Episode 61. We are back from a break on the podcast and have prepared some exciting…
Ep 12: Lochby, Makers of the Ultimate Waxed Cotton Field Journal
On this episode of the Dogwatch we visit with Chris Elfering, the creator of the Lochby company, which creates fine notebooks and accessories from waxed canvas and fountain pen friendly paper. These are incredible implements for keeping a planner, field notes, and journal sketches. The Watch Wallet and Tool Roll are great companions to the Field Journal.…
Ep 44: What is a Quality Watch? A Philosopher Helps Us Decide
Today we have the great pleasure of talking with Ned Hall, a philosophy professor and generally “wicked smart” guy who helps us think about quality. Ned teaches us how to think like philosophers as we address questions about the quality of objects such as watches, and confront questions like: how do we assess quality? Should this be…
Ep 34: Zen and the Art: Motorcycles, Maintenance, and Pirsig
As we get into the warmer weather of spring, many of us On the Dogwatch will start to think of road trips. One of the many great things about these trips is that they can afford us time to think about our lives. There is no more iconic North American road trip than Robert Pirsig’s…
Ep 45: William Wood Watches are Fire
Whether it is collecting rubber fire hoses and crafting them into watch bands, melting down a brass fire helmet for crowns, or working to create a case that can house two movements at different price points, today’s guest Jonny Garrett has created a watch company that does justice to both firefighters as well as horology. …
Ep 52: Baby Talk to Dogs. How? Why?
We’ve all heard people talking to dogs like they are small children. Some people find it cute, others consider it absurd, and there are also those who understand it implicitly. So what do we know about how humans talk to dogs? Today On the Dogwatch we are joined by Bob Mitchell, head of the Animal Studies…
What is a Dogwatch, Anyway? dogwatch, n.
dogwatch, n. Nautical. A short watch of two hours’ duration instead of the usual four, from 4.00–6.00 p.m. or 6.00–8.00 p.m., that enables the turn of the night watch to be changed every twenty-four hours From 1657 We espied four and thirty ships more, under a Convoye, all coming from Brasil in the first of…
Ep 2: SIGNAL Coffee Roasters and Cafes
On today’s episode we talk with Brendan Doherty from Signal Coffee Roasters. Signal has several cafes now, with two on Alameda Island and one in Berkeley, CA. In our conversation, Brendan helps us understand how beans are chosen, the overall process of roasting, and how recent advances in analytics help you get your favorite beans…
Ep 1: Evolution of Puppy Dog Eyes
In this episode we talk with Juliane Kaminski, a researcher who studies human sociality and social cognition, but who also studies dogs. In the conversation, we discuss the nature of cognition and what we know about how humans interact with dogs, how the familiar “puppy dog eyes” came to be, and what our dogs are…
Ep 57: Screen Printing Selvedge Bandanas
A bandana is a useful item. It can serve as a napkin, rag, bandage, drain plug, motorcycle repair tool, headwear, blindfold, flag, mask, pouch, or a stylish scarf. But not all bandanas are created equal. Many to most are stiff, paisley-printed and inked with plastisol to create a cheap and ultimately unsatisfying object. Today On…
Ep 55: What the Dog’s Nose Knows
Today On the Dogwatch we have the rare opportunity to talk with Nathan Hall, head of the Canine Olfaction Lab at Texas Tech. Nathan is not only a dog owner, but is also someone who studies dog behavior, has a vast knowledge of the canine literature, and does research on their behavior and olfactory abilities in…
Ep. 62: The Chelsea Clock Co. A Thing of Beauty
If I’m not mistaken, it was John Keats who said “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” That pretty much sums up Chelsea Clocks. This company is the oldest functioning clock company in the United States, and they make clocks at the highest levels of refinement and luxury. They still make mechanical clocks with…
Ep 42: Alex Crane. Stylish and Sustainable Clothing
A well-cut linen shirt, an organic cotton chore coat, or an extra soft merino wool sweater and cap are perfect to wear on any Dogwatch, which makes it even more of a special opportunity that we are joined today by Alex Crane. Alex is the founder and designer of his own clothing brand, Alex Crane, that provides garments intended to…
Ep 38: Shackleton. The Brand that Prepares, Equips, and Inspires
The Brand that Prepares, Equips, and Inspires, Taking Cues From the Boss Himself. On top of the stack of the world’s expedition narratives, survival stories, and inspiring but hard-to-believe-they-are-true adventure books, sits Ernest Shackleton. The tale of the Endurance and Shackleton has become so legendary not only because of what he and his men did, but…
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