Shout out to English Setter hunters

[welsh]

By pure coincidence, over the past few weeks I've been reading up the origins of spaniels, which is inseparable from the origins of setters. (I admit I have strange habits.)

I found the sheep-like setter I posted above most interesting ... you can see feathering depicted on tail, hindquarters, and lower legs. This is a depiction of the same "setting spaniel" mentioned as early as 1387 (in French), so I take it to mean that spaniels and setters quite similar to our own were among the oldest varieties of European dogs. English setter hunters are heir to a 600-year tradition, which is surely worth a shout out.

[Sharon]

Welsh you are a virtual encyclopedia....or should I say, Google source? Always enjoy your offerings.
Zeus telling me, "That one's gone. Get over here...there's another one! Man....I can't believe I have to suffer this guy!?!?!"
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Beautiful pic Ugo. What is the breeding on that dog Zeus?

[Ugo]

Zeus Standing.jpg
Sharon, Zeus is related to your 2 girls. Years ago, when I bred my Smith-setter to Zyggi's Grouse Magic we got my Emma (Uplander's Stardust)and 4 other pups. Emma's littermate (Uplander's Heaven Scent) went to Ottawa. That girl was bred to Makris Barilla Jake (Silver Valley Elvis X Snake Eyes). Only 1 pup survived. This is he, "Zeus" - now 5. He is the spitting image of Zyggi's Grouse Magic "Auggie" - probably THE finest setter I have ever had the fortune to be a part of. "Auggie" ran the pro circuit under George/Mike Tracy.
There are plans for a breeding of Zeus to Walking Champion Zyggi's Dixie Magic. These should be iconic "grouse" dogs for the most discriminating wild bird palate. The greatest strength in this breeding aside from oozing style, delightful personalities, is their nose. Both Dixie and Zeus just seem to find birds even when the odds don't favour them, as did their predecessors. Uncanny....hard to explain, yet undeniable.
I could tell stories of these dogs but it would be more like a book. Suffice to say, pointing birds is such a singular aspect of legendary bird dogs that enrich our lives with memories forever etched in our minds.

[Sharon]

Thanks. This appears to be almost line breeding but not quite. What are your thoughts on that?

PS Others feel free to participate on your thoughts on line breeding and out crosses.

[welsh]

Nineteenth century dog writers called this cross a Dropper, and almost invariably panned its hunting abilities....

Incidentally, I just discovered that a Dropper took third place in the first field trial ever held in North America, at Memphis, Tennessee, on Oct. 8, 1874. The dog's name was Guido, owner/handler W.A. Wheatley. First and second place went to Setters.

https://archive.org/stream/fieldtria...e/n41/mode/2up

[Sharon]

That link is amazing. The American field trial scene has a very long history. Thanks

[Salmonid]

plus one

[sidelock]

KISS THE SKY aka Jeb will be terrorizing the birds up north for the next five days. Grand sired by Hamilton's Blue Diamond and Grid Iron with an infusion of high octane running through his veins from Blue Bell Slugger line.

Click on image to enlarge.

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[Sharon]

That's a great breeding!! Enjoy.

[finsfurfeathers]

Doing what they do best.