Looking for a hunter with a small male setter

Finsfurfeathers how is your dog bred?

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Originally Posted by Big Gunner

Terry

Are you getting your pup from Spencer, as I think you might be(I think I read something about that in another thread). If so congratulations, great dog. I hunted over her up north at the grouse camp with them. They were exposed to a lot of birds, and we dropped quite a few over her. I was there for a few days with my BF who was also getting trained by Spencer, All I can say is he isquite the dedicated trainer, I am so happy I went to him. I think Sharon had some influence with me picking him. But then again when are her words not wise!!!

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Yes, I'm getting "Gracy". The little Tricolor female. She's actually headed to Kansas next week to hunt quail and pheasant. Yes, Spencer is a fabulous trainer.

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Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

Finsfurfeathers how is your dog bred?

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Heck to old way a male setter and a female setter :silly:.
Long story short. Fate introduced me to a hunter from Winsor that had a litter of pups. Checked out mom an pop liked their profile. Picked Stella out of the litter as liked her conformation or at least from what I could assess from an 8 week old pup.

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Originally Posted by terrym

Yes, I'm getting "Gracy". The little Tricolor female.

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I envy you guys for being young enough to adopt another fabulous friend . --- Since the demise of my last-one (on Nov.25/15) I feel kind of lonely (regardless of the 56 years with my wife --- lol) . --- I WANT another GWP --- but ******* --- ****** !

Dogs keep you active and healthier. Get another one.

Sorry folks but I have to comment on this thread. We've been breeding setters for 40 plus years and have produced some great competitive dogs.
Breeding simply for size is a huge mistake. The secret to improving the breed is looking for what your dog lacks and crossing to an animal that passes on what you need in terms of what these dogs are bred for.
Robert Wehle produced some of the best pointers the world has ever seen and his secret was line breeding. Yes he went outside from time to time when he recognized a trait that was proven to be passed on by the sire and he wanted to bring it into his kennel.
Then he went back to his line and integrated that trait into his dogs. If any of you would be interested I would be glad to forward an article by Mr. Wehle on his methods.

Good to see you posting Tim. I didn't start out looking for a runt, this dog just kind of fell on my lap. I just don't worry about her smaller size affecting her capabilities. I don't make the trek out West so for our woodcock jungles and heavy cover I'm good with a smaller dog.

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Originally Posted by Tim Tufts

Sorry folks but I have to comment on this thread. We've been breeding setters for 40 plus years and have produced some great competitive dogs.
Breeding simply for size is a huge mistake. The secret to improving the breed is looking for what your dog lacks and crossing to an animal that passes on what you need in terms of what these dogs are bred for.
Robert Wehle produced some of the best pointers the world has ever seen and his secret was line breeding. Yes he went outside from time to time when he recognized a trait that was proven to be passed on by the sire and he wanted to bring it into his kennel.
Then he went back to his line and integrated that trait into his dogs. If any of you would be interested I would be glad to forward an article by Mr. Wehle on his methods.

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That is a proven breeding practice amongst many of the top working dog breeders not just Wehle.

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Originally Posted by Tim Tufts

.... Breeding simply for size is a huge mistake. ....

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so true!
but ask around what buyers (new and seasoned alike) really care about and that is the first and foremost criteria.
this phenomenon is not breed specific. size is simply a result of functionality of a hunting dog and not the other way around.
this is even true if we talk about toy dogs, which are supposed to be a fashion accessory.
if size alone is what matters, the ladies would carry real rats in their purses and some of us would go hunting with a goat

I know a couple guys who run labs who look for the biggest they can find. Mine is bigger than yours type of thing maybe? But I'm not a lab guy so really don't know if it affects either way?