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Owners 2

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Kerry,

I wanted to drop you a note and some photos of our pup ( Lady Rose, from Crystal and Lemon ) which arrived May 24^th. She is growing like a weed and seems to be changing almost daily. The photos are of her at home and out for some exercise in a freshly cut hayfield. She is beautiful and doing great. Even at 10 weeks she shows the desire to naturally back. Hope all is well in North Dakota.

Thanks, M.S. ................ Georgia

Hello Kerry,

Just thought I would share 2 pic's I recently took of my pup... Mark B.

Zee x Blacksmith

Kerry
Just wanted to let you know how Buck is doing. I’ve been running him in NSTRA. He had two first places in Oaks this weekend and ended up 5th in the regional elimination for the Mid North. He should now have 10 points toward his championship. Everyone was talking about him being the dog to beat next year. He is only a little over two years old.
E.M. ................. North Dakota

Dear Kerry,

We purchased Jesse (whom you knew as Andy) in December of this past year. He is now 7 months old, and is a truly wonderful dog. He is completely bird crazy, as you mentioned he was as a very young puppy, and is rapidly progressing into an amazing hunting dog. I have hunted my entire life and trained hunting dogs, mostly Labs and Retrievers, but I have never experienced what an English Setter can do. At the young age of 7 months, Jesse is possibly already the best hunting dog I have ever trained or seen for that matter. He is completely focused, very smart and easy to train, and incredibly athletic. He works every piece of terrain, under complete control with voice and whistle signals, and holds point until released even though we have not started the serious training phase yet. With only the basics taught to this point, he has progressed on his own and I am so happy and proud to have a such a great dog. More importantly, Jesse is a great pet and companion. He is very mild mannered and great around kids, other dogs, and people love him for his disposition and looks. Setters are very rare here in Southern California, and Jesse is the subject of conversation with people we meet when out on walks or training. Our only wish is that there were more game birds here in Southern California (Jesse expresses this to me every day). We will visit your place in the early fall for a hunting trip, and I am excited for you to get reacquainted with Jesse and see how he has progressed. We absolutely could not be happier with our dog. Thank you so much!
Sincerely, C.B. .............. California

Kerry and Marian, Curly had a great 2007-08 season. Great dog.

Thank you

R.L. ........ West Virginia

Hello just to drop you a info update. My tri colored female out of Blackie and Zee's last Aprils litter is off to a running start. She has ran in four puppy trials this spring She finished with one first in the Michigan Amateur and a Second in the Michigan grouse dog puppy classic. The other two she ran big, fast and snappy. Turned the heads of several pros. Who stated that they were surprised she didn't place in one. The other she had a run in with a deer and just didn't want to handle for the rest of the brace. The current number one Michigan puppy is out of a dog called Havelock Pepper. Looking forward to her derby season she is definitely showing promise. Thank you so much for this pup. Terry B.

Later date: By the way Havelock setters took both Michigan Cover Dog Puppy of the year positions. Scott K. Took puppy of the year with a pup out of a dog called Havelock Pepper and my Blackie/ Zee pup was runner up. Terry B.

Kerry, these are the pictures of Huck I mentioned in the earlier
e-mail. Keith G.

Blacksmith x Huckleberry

Kerry,
I bought a setter from you about a year ago and have been meaning to get in touch to let you know how satisfied we are with the dog. Jake was whelped 12/17/01 off Blacksmith and Huckleberry and is the best dog I have owned, the second best I have hunted behind (best was a finished setter female,
also off Blacksmith). He was pointing bugs the day he arrived at 9 wks. His first year hunting Georgia quail as a pup was more than I could have expected. He is a medium ranging dog with an excellent nose, strong desire to hunt, holds point, is smart, has started retrieving birds to hand already, and looks stylish.....(I could go on). Another year in the field and I believe he will be a top notch finished gun dog. I would like to think this great dog is due to training and all the books/articles I have read, but my gut tells me it is about 85% genetics. Did I mention that he has a great disposition with my three boys and doubles as a member of our family? I can’t say enough good, thank you. David B, GA

Kerry: I just thought I’d let you know that we just love this dog. I’ll attach a photo taken a few weeks ago. She seems to be extremely smart and teachable. She knows “Sit,” “Stay,” “Come,” and “Kennel Up,” and I’ve been working just a little on “Heel.” Also, she loves the pigeons that I keep and I see her pointing them in the back yard all the time. She was a breeze to house train—heck, she practically did this herself—and doesn’t seem to mind baths too much. (Now, if the Jack Russell were only so well behaved!) The only ongoing battle (apart from chewing, which she does a lot of) is trying to keep her off the couch. But secretly I think my wife really doesn’t mind her being there. I’ll try to keep you updated from time to time. Matt G.

P.S. We named her “Daisy” but haven’t come up with a name for her registration yet.

Black/white female

Hi Kerry, This pup is pointing everything and is far advanced as to what my present dog was doing at that age. She does chores with me and this evening I lost her in the barn. Found her pointing an escaped quail when the other dog at that age would have caught it, this one went solid. So far, barring her being a puppy, she is more than I could have asked for and thank you for picking her out. I've learned one doesn't try to call a puppy with a sheet blowing on the line but other than distractions she comes fine, stays ahead of me on our daily walks and has picked up the turn whistle. Also I hid some pigeons just out of curiosity, when they flushed she chased them back to the loft having a grand time. The next time out she went and checked out where the pigeons had been hid the previous day then ran to the loft to see if any wanted to come out and play. Then we had a point on a pigeon feather blowing in the wind which she caught. Again, thank you. There is a lot of point in this dog. Brad M

Hi Marian and Kerry,
I thought you might like to see a couple photos. Little Montana "tana" is growing up fast and I can't wait until pheasant season. She can sit, come, stay, heel and whoa on command. She points with style and retrieves extremely well. I start her water training next week. She has the makings of a World Class female Setter and seems as bold as any male. I am certainly pleased with her progress at 4 1/2 months. She was 6 pounds when I picked her up. She is 30 pounds today.
Good to see the moisture out west. I'll see you during pheasant season.

Steve S

Chestnut female

I just wanted to drop you a line and relay how incredibly pleased I was with my puppy Riley that I purchased from you last spring. He instantly became a member of the family and a joy to be around. The perfect blend of tenacious energy and loving demeanor. At only three months of age he pointed his first wild pheasants while on a walk with me. I was in awe. In his first season, my friends and I shot over thirty roosters over him on our weekend hunts. He was only seven or eight months old and out performing my friends dogs who were seasoned veterans. Late in the season he actually began to circle wide around running birds and hem them up between us. That has always been a mark of a terrific hunting dog in my mind. He possesses a terrific nose, tons of energy and incredible intelligence. Even more important than all of those things though is the fact that he's gentle and very loving to the entire family. He has a huge fenced in yard to play in with his partner in crime Pippy (a rat terrier). While he does get into the goldfish pond more than I would like, I have to admit it's fairly comical to watch him plop down in it after a workout. On hot days I see his head sticking out as he's cooling down. He must think it's his own private swimming pool. The other day while at someone's house I had just met, I watched their setter roll over on his back just like Riley does when he doesn't want to do something or knows he's in trouble. Sure enough the dog came from your kennel. And sure enough he was quite the hunter. Again I would just like to say thank you and congratulate you on the incredible animals you produce. I couldn't even begin to tell you all the compliments I have received on Riley and how many people have inquired about where he came from. I've never seen a hunting dog catch on to what he needed to do in the field so quickly. It was very obvious, that your dogs possess incredible instinctual hunting abilities. I'm quite sure in the near future you'll be hearing from acquaintances of mine looking for their own Riley. Who knows, as I get a little more settled I may have to give in and purchase a companion for him. Again thank you so much. I rest easy in knowing the best is still to come. I'm already excited about the upcoming season and all the adventures I'll share with this incredible animal that has become a very close companion. I'm sure you get thank you's like this all the time but I wanted to write anyway. Good luck with Blackie and all your other fine animals, I'm sure they continue to do well in the field and in the trials. Thank you and God Bless - Eric J. - IA

Hi Kerry & Marian,

When you look at this picture of John A's wife and daughter playing with Julie its no wonder he bought a pup. We want one Dad!

Jimmy T

Kerry, I hope you know how happy that I am with Jazz! The last few seasons bringing her along has been pure joy. I will be looking for a pup from you this spring. I definitely want a Blacksmith pup, from the best possible female. I trust your judgment. I want a big running dog-Jazz has a great range, more is not a problem. I hope to fill the Michigan grouse woods with your setters, they are the best going! Let me know what your breeding plans are. Best regards, Tracey L.

Hi
Don't know if you like feedback about your pups or not.

The pup from your Private Ryan x Havelock Tony litter did very good at a recent NAVHDA natural ability test. At 6.6 months old he received a perfect score of 112 points for a Prize 1. It was impressive how a lot of long walks, bumpers, and a little time on the training table brought out his natural abilities. He learns really quick. I've never seen a dog look so proud pointing. Thanks, Aaron & Michelle J
P.S. Outside of NAVHDA and the Retriever Club I am fairly ignorant on pointer trials. Is there a website or other source to get involved with other organizations?

White/orange male

Hi Kerry, I just thought I would drop you a line and let you know the pup is doing fine. We took him to the vet for shots Saturday and the vet said he is doing great. I am amazed at how well he has adjusted I would say he is about 95% house broke and what a nose!!!!!!!!!! I shot a grouse about a week ago and save the wings and legs I keep it frozen so every couple of days we take it out drag it around then hide it. Then we bring him out and tell him to find the bird without fail within a couple of minutes he will find it. I just thought I would drop you a line and let you know what a joy he is. Feel free to use me as a reference if anyone every asks. Thanks a million, Barry M.

Hello Kerry, I haven't had a chance to say that I am very happy with the pup I got from you! The pup is very smart and just what I was looking for. In the future if you want to use me as a reference, please give out my e-mail. I definitely will be looking and coming right back to you in 2-3yrs. Keep up the good work- I still view your web weekly- It's great! Mark B.

Hi Kerry,
I just wanted to let you know that the puppy I bought from you is doing great. I've named her Havelock Blue Sage (Sage for short). She's already becoming obsessive about finding birds. I take her out to a nature preserve almost every day and let her do her thing. She's staying out in front of me but also staying with me as I change direction. She stops and points birds and will just freeze there for minutes. So I think I'm going to have to learn how to hunt pretty soon. As a reminder I came out with my girlfriend Michelle to pick her up about 2 months ago (we had the bull dog with us). Thanks for the great dog! Tom M

Hello Kerry and Marian, I hope all is well and the business is going good. I just thought I would e-mail a couple of pictures of turbo and I this year. She is doing great!!! Really putting her good nose to work this year as she has made some unbelievable points! She has also held real tight on the birds especially in some of the thin cover this year. Well I hope you have a great holiday season and thanks again for the opportunity of hunting behind such a good dog!!! Rob B.

White/orange female

Dear Marian and Kerry~
Merry Christmas! Thought you might enjoy a photo of our setter sisters! Macy, our BWF is from Katie x Blackjack. She is a small girl, about 32 lbs, that our vet says is built like a "marathon runner". He thinks she is a an absolutely beautiful setter. She is very high energy and can run all day. She spends summers at our lake home in MN and is an excellent swimmer. She can easily swim non-stop for an hour and we have to keep calling her closer to shore as she would end up in the middle of the lake! She loves to run down the dock and fly off the end. She keeps our yard clear of chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits. Neela is our OWF from Sadie x Spy. She weighs 60 lbs. She is a bit lower energy (thank God)! She is the sweetest girl ever! She is so gentle and affectionate and everyone loves her! While Macy swims, she keeps the bank/hillside clear of varmints! She loves the water too but prefers to wade close to shore. She is our watch dog alerting us to any "strangers" that approach. She also talks to me...she does this roo-roo-roo thing that her sister doesn't do. Hmmmm. Their favorite thing to do on these cold winter days is get on the bed with the "alpha female" after the "alpha male" goes to work at 5:30 am. Anyway, thanks for breeding such fabulous dogs. We couldn't love them more and rest assured we give them a great home. You should also know that since we are empty nesters they are kept socialized with children. They are sort of the adopted pets of some of the children in the neighborhood. These kids come in and out of our yard, walk the dogs and play with them. When the girls see children they start to cry! I highly recommend these dogs as family pets....they have the best temperments! Thanks again for breeding such wonderful canines! Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year!
PS We also have a cat that the dogs get along with. The 3 of them are best buddies and they kiss and lick each other.....so much for the dogs hate cats and vice versa theory!
PSS On a funny note. I bought a Christmas tree at a fund raiser this year not thinking how it was decorated. Little hand-made wool animals and pheasant feathers! I find pheasant feather all over my house........who do you think is responsible for that? Silly me, what was I thinking! They are a so cute about it, I can't even punish them! Besides, you can't fight instinct!
D.B. ........... North Dakota

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