After decades of being English Setter purists, about 9 years ago we decided to try a Llewellin pup. They are advertised as ?laid back? dogs, and this one excelled in that aspect. He just had no desire to hunt. We went through a couple dozen planted (pen raised) birds and he showed no inclination to hunt for them. We?d lead him up to the planted bird, he?d semi-point and he showed some interest in the downed bird, but showed no inclination in searching for another bird. A first ever for me, we went through two professional trainers; the first gave up in a couple of weeks saying he could not instill the desire to hunt in a dog. The second apologized for his failure, but that the dog showed promise (you have to be careful about bad mouthing a man?s dog in this part of the country). We talked to the breeder (Kings Llewellin in Arkansas) but got no useful advice ? ?Well he ain?t an English setter.?
His first two years were total frustration. My son?s wife became attached to him, so we were stuck with him, no matter what. By the third year he started to slowly come around and he finally became an ?acceptable? bird dog, still with issues. It was mandatory to solidly instill the ?stay? command in order to attain his present competence. On quail, he will point and then try to reposition until he pressures and flushes the birds, unless you see him in time to give the ?stay? command ? to this day!
Over the years we?ve had some ?acceptable?, most I?d rate as ?good?, and several I?d rate ?excellent? English setters. But none like this.
I would like to hear from those who have had experience with Llewellins. Right now my son (I am beyond the age to withstand the punishment) would be gunshy about another LLewellin, based on that one experience. What is your experience with this breed, both good and bad?
His first two years were total frustration. My son?s wife became attached to him, so we were stuck with him, no matter what. By the third year he started to slowly come around and he finally became an ?acceptable? bird dog, still with issues. It was mandatory to solidly instill the ?stay? command in order to attain his present competence. On quail, he will point and then try to reposition until he pressures and flushes the birds, unless you see him in time to give the ?stay? command ? to this day!
Over the years we?ve had some ?acceptable?, most I?d rate as ?good?, and several I?d rate ?excellent? English setters. But none like this.
I would like to hear from those who have had experience with Llewellins. Right now my son (I am beyond the age to withstand the punishment) would be gunshy about another LLewellin, based on that one experience. What is your experience with this breed, both good and bad?
