...what fool said modern Irish Setters aren't birddogs? They should all come see Megan. She is sixteen months old, and the finest hunting dog (of any age) I have ever seen.
Jerry P.,
Newfoundland, Canada
Thank you again for Patrick. The kids love him; he loves the kids. From the day of his arrival he has lived with, played with and even slept with my two year old. The only time he is not with little Steve is when big Steve takes him hunting. Sometimes I think big Steve adores Patrick almost as much as little Steve does.
Judy H., Arkansas
I finally have a "brag" dog. He routinely makes my buddies' Brittanies and shorthairs look inept. Almost as important, he is truly gorgeous to behold in the field and on point and has become a perfect gentleman in the house.
Anthony S., New York
Sally has now won her fifth Championship. What Serendipity brought us together with you and that dainty little lady?
Peg and Chuck B., Maryland
We retired Annie yesterday at the ripe old age of nine years. She had her 64th Field trial Win (first in the field of 18). Coupled with the Championship title, she is truly the finest bird dog we ever campaigned. Thank you so much for letting us have her.
Steve and Bonnie S., Wisconsin
February 2, 1989
We took her hunting that first day. She hadn't been off the plane 24 hours when we first hit the grouse woods. And we hadn't been in the grouse woods ten minutes when she had her first find. I will never forget that auburn silhouette contrasted against the white snow and the green evergreen boughs. The rise was clean and they separated at about 45 degrees. My sixteen year old got his first double ever and, on command, that little red statute brought them both to hand with a minimum of effort.
Paul, you said that she was totally inexperienced on grouse, having been broken on wild and released quail. But you couldn't prove it by us. We hunted eight hours that day and my wife, daughter, son and I all limited out. Had we been able to shoot straighter we probably would have been done at noon. Scarlet pointed twelve birds that day, every one precisely and positively located. She retrieved the eight birds we managed to down quickly and with a smile on her face. Two of those birds were wounded and hit the ground running; a severe retrieving test for a dog never before exposed to grouse.
Paul, we can't thank you too much for the beautiful lady who I'm watching as she plays with my four year old in front of the fireplace. Kevin (my sixteen-year old) wants a puppy. I figure two would be even better. So would you please send us the next male and female that you think will match this family as well as Scarlet does?
Again my sincere thanks, for giving this family both a new member and restoring my faith (and that of my shooting buddies) in the hunting Irish Setter.
Ken A., Maine
We have been having so much fun. Thank you for your responsible breeding. Killian is very nicely tempered and we love him very much.
Andy K., Pennsylvania
We've had Peaches for about a year now and I can't tell you how pleased we are with her. My wife dotes on her and my son enjoys rough housing with her in the family room. Matt and I are avid hikers and fossil hunters and Peaches always accompanies us on our trips. After rereading your booklet, I have to agree that you have successfully bred a generous measure of intelligence into your dogs.
Tim M., Pennsylvania
Ruby is a great dog! She gets more love than you can imagine. Indoors she is very well behaved. Outdoors she is a hunter! All she thinks about are the birds, rabbits, etc....
Her sister lives a block away and they get to romp and play often.
Caroline & Lew H.Pennsylvania
Mike has an excellent disposition and we love him. His only current problem seems to be a complete lack of respect for the Invisible Fence. He has taken several '"field trips"; but as soon as the weather improves, I will start working on that.
James W., Pennsylvania
Corey Ann spends time every day helping with our construction business - she loves to ride in the dump truck. She has been to puppy kindergarten and graduated with honors! She's been hunting rabbits and grouse. She's a delight!
Jim S., Pennsylvania
Just a note to go along with the photo of Reb. I want to thank you for the fine job you did picking him for me. Hope the little lady you are shipping is as fine a dog. I should have Reb in a trial soon.
Dan M., Alabama
......She comes to me as soon as I call. We still take long walks and I've managed to find a fluorescent vest for her (because of hunting season).
Mary Lou B., Maryland
Training is slow because of time, but whatever I do she is receptive to. Tess is very good under shot and loves the pheasant wing. She has a good nose and is very interested in hunting. Besides that she is a wonderful dog and my wife and I love her.
Even though we've had our differences, he is a wonderful family pet with a tremendous nose for birds. His stamina is a sight to behold and enthusiasm pulses through his body at every outing.
I haven't seen a dog yet in Vermont that can hold a candle to him in field work.
Alan J., Vermont
I am writing to let you know how one of your puppys is doing. From the picture, you can tell that Taffy is spoiled, but well-liked by the other family pets-or in the case of the cat, tolerated. She is, of course, also well loved by the family. My three daughters enjoy playing with her and helping grandma take care of her.
Taffy has a wonderfully calm position, but she can still out last us all during her play times.
All and all she's a happy puppy and has added much laughter to my mother's home. Thank you for your part in it.
Cathy M., Pennsylvania
Celtic's Upland Jake has been a wonderful addition to our family. He always will be his mommy's baby even though he has already grown into a fine 50 pound birddog.
Jake began his training at 10 weeks of age and was a quick learner. He was introduced to the backyard quail almost as early but initially had no interest. This continued until he was approximately 5 months. About this time I would place restrained quail in the field and take him out of the leash. He pointed his first quail at 5 months at a distance of 15 - 20 feet. I was impressed!! Ever since he has been a "wild dog" when it comes to birds.
Jake finally went on his first hunting excursion this last October when my father came to visit from Wisconsin. We went to the local hunting preserve to run some quail. We hunted Rubus first; and then brought Jake out later. Although my other "red dog" hunted very well, his style and intensity on point by far failed in comparison to his Celtic pen mate. My father and I were extremely impressed with Jake's first point. Not only was the point impressive, but he was steady to wing and shot, and even retrieved the dead bird. Luck or good breeding? The rest of his points that day were equally impressive . My twin brother and I returned to hunt some more quail a month later and Jake was even more impressive finding birds that two "white dogs" hunting that same day were unable to find.
Ever since I was a child I wanted an Irish Setter; and now I have two. Since purchasing these dogs I have heard several comments: "I haven't seen an Irish Setter that would point a bird in years.", "I used to own one years ago, but it never performed as well as my pointers", and "Why would you buy another Irish Setter." To be honest, I have never hunted over any pointing breed that points with as much intensity and style as my Celtic's setter, nor have their nose been any more as keen. Thank you for Jake and for your dedication to restoring an American hunting heritage, the Irish Setter!!
Kerry & Sally N. - North Carolina
