Llewellin Setters Breeders Blog

We have been asked by a number of people if our discontinuance of advertising in Pointing Dog Journal is an indication that we are going out of the dog business.

Not at all.   But here are the facts surrounding this:-

I have been very concerned now for some time about the changing position of writers, editors, journalists and so called trainers towards the use of the electric collar. Don’t get me wrong, I am not at all opposed to the electric collar.  I own at least 6 of them of three different makes.

My concern is that the collar has now moved away from being a “training device” and is applied more or less as a permanent appendage to every dog running in the field. It is almost impossible to see a photograph in major publications such as Pointing Dog Journal where the dog is not burdened with this device. This goes for advertising, training articles, reader-submitted photos, dogs for sale classifieds, and so on. We have even moved to putting two collars on the dog, one around its waist as well.

Recently there was an article by Steve Smith , the Editor of Pointing Dog Journal, in which he extols the virtue of a specific band  of collar in the hunting field. We are not speaking of training here.

When I challenged him on this he declined to respond or debate the issue.  Clearly, if you read these magazines you will quickly observe that almost all of the advertising dollars are coming from collar manufacturers or trainers who advocate their use not only as a “training device” but as a means of handling a dog under all circumstances including during the hunt.

Here at Lynnhill Llewellins we are extremely opposed to this development. We have had numerous issues under our unconditional guarantee of dogs returned who were totally ruined by uneducated and excessive use of electric collars. This includes dogs who were “blinkers,” dogs who were collar smart (only controllable when the collar was on) dogs who were collar shy (headed for the next county as soon as shocked). Dogs where the entire drive had been neutralized and on and on.

We live in a technological time where people are wanting to believe that all you have to do is spend a few bucks and press a button and you will get results. Sadly, young people are being taught that this is in fact the case and the idea of bonding with the dog, teaching by kindness and repetition  and above all learning and accepting that as with all living creatures not all will be world class students, not all have the inherent ability nor the required geneological traits.  It matters not one iota how much you shock the dog, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear!

At the end of the day, it has a lot to do with profit. A quick dollar for the makers, advertisers, journalists and magazines.  None  of them appear to be at all concerned with the long term effects on the bird dogs receiving this treatment.  Will future generations of bird dogs be altered forever by what we are doing to them?  I am sure the answer is a resounding YES.  We are destroying hundreds of years of breeding heritage and have entered the age of the final destruction of some of the most important sporting breeds on earth. Most of them developed by the British Aristocracy without regard to cost but with patience, knowledge, compassion and boundless enthusiasm always with the future of the breed at heart.

We  do not feel any longer that we can support any publication which represents itself as a champion of the bird dog breeds while advocating that the dogs be controlled while doing the very thing they were born to do by continuous electric shocks.  Look out now, the public relations guys are at work.  They call it “stimulation,”they call it “correction,”… “just a little nick.” Put it around your neck and try it! If this is such a humane and good idea then it’s way overdue for use on our teenagers.

Lets start to say it the way it is and although no doubt some good can be achieved in the right hands it would be much better in the end for our bird dogs if collars were banned altogether as they are in many European countries.

That my friends is why we no longer advertise in journals.

Keith H.Smith.    President.  Lynnhill Llewellin Setters.

Our wonderful stud dog, hunting friend and companion Bryn, was euthanized this month due to Kidney failure.

This devastating event was brought on by an infection of Leptospirosis which never presented any obvious symptoms until rapid weight loss and general malaise gave us concern. Despite aggressive treatment with antibiotics and IV hydration therapy the damage to the organs was irreversible.

We have always given all adult dogs inoculation against Lepto but frankly we were not as up-to-date on this disease as we should have been. We do suggest that all dog owners, especially Hunting Dog owners, familiarize themselves by reading some of the excellent materials on line.

There are in fact about 8 different strains of Leptospirosis and at present there are no vaccines which will protect your dog from all of them.  The best ones offer protection for about four strains.  In addition the vaccines are only effective for about 6 to 8 months.

You need to keep this in mind and re-vaccinate on a regular schedule

Infection is possible from many sources and the disease can be passed to humans as well.   The infected dog can pass it on by urine and body fluids. Most infection is probably picked up in the field by drinking infected water where Rats, Raccoons, mice etc. have been present.

Cats do not have a problem with Lepto.

We have been able to purchase a male pup from the last litter sired by Bryn and will be offering him at stud when he has matured and done his hunting apprenticeship.  The line will continue as we also have access to several other of Bryn’s offspring.

Please initiate a vaccination schedule for all of your dogs to protect them the best you can from this horrible affliction.  Try to keep drinking from stagnant water sources outside to a minimum and get the dog checked out if suffering from symptoms like shivering, weight loss, excessive drinking and urination.   Be sure to read up the subject on line and be informed.

Keith Smith    October 2008.

The subject of umbilical hernias comes up frequently. One must assume therefore that the condition also comes up frequently in many if not all breeds of dogs.
This is a subject where you will no doubt find variances in Veterinary opinions. Some vets clinging tenaciously to the opinion that all defects at the midline are hernias and therefore must be surgically repaired without delay and the dog never bred. End of subject. Naturally, you can never be shown to be wrong if you follow this course of action so you remain above criticism.

Research on line will only serve to confuse you more. I propose therefore to simply pass on to you my own experience, particularly with the Llewellin Setters and will then publish for you information what I consider to be one of the most valid and informed professional articles on this subject.

Delayed closures, which may or may not be actual hernias, are found in the Llewellin Setter. The offspring of certain bitches seem to produce examples more than others. This would indicate that it tends to be hereditary. Good breeders will try to phase these animals out of the breeding program since it is, if nothing else, a nuisance and a significant expense. Around $250 average to repair. If the animal is a female who will be spayed it is really not a problem at all since surgical entry can be made at the umbilical and repair made when closing. The repair is usually straightforward with no complications and the hunting dog’s life will go forward as normal.

It is my own experience that the majority of examples we see in Llewellin Setters are not in fact true hernias but rather delayed closures which resolve by 9 to 12 months. You will find vets who are adamant that this will never happen. Take it from a breeder it can and does happen with this breed. It is important to check every day to see that the protrusion stays soft and can be reduced (pushed back in) and that nothing is being trapped.

If you want to make an immediate contribution to your vet’s retirement fund, go ahead and get it fixed. Nothing lost beside your money. If you keep an eye on it and wait it out it will resolve most of the time.

From my kennel we would never sell you a pup with this condition unless we discuss it first and you understand the prognosis. Of course we work constantly to eradicate all congenital and hereditary situations but the fact is this has been cropping up for hundreds of years so we may have to work around it a bit longer.

Keith H. Smith

Nothing is any more devastating to the breeder and the owner of a gun dog than to discover that Degenerative Joint Disease (Hip Dysplasia) is present. This is especially sad when it makes itself obvious only after much time has been spent and financial investment has been made in the training of a Bird Dog.

A responsible breeder will try to do everything possible to ensure that this cannot happen. Sadly, there is no way known at this time to eliminate hip problems in any breed of dog. The causes are multi genetic which means that in spite of using all known methods to reduce the incidence of the disease, it can–and does–crop up.

As in all genetic disorders a dog can be completely free of the problem itself but still be a carrier of the disease and pass it onto the offspring. This is why it is very important that any dog you buy be from parents who have been evaluated by one of the two known methods. Not only for your own dog’s sake but also for future generations, should you choose to breed your dog. (Read on …)

We can anticipate that when you go to collect your pup and take him home, riding for the very first time in a car, he will be sick. This event will be worse if he had a square meal just a short time before the ride.With most pups this reaction will go away in a short time and he will get to look forward to and enjoy riding. After all he is to be our constant hunting companion so car riding is a must part of his education.

There are however some dogs where the problem continues for an extended period. Worse than that, such dogs develop almost a phobia to riding because the experience is so unpleasant for them. These dogs will often salivate and foam at the mouth to the extent that they will be dehydrated and they are quite clearly distressed. (Read on …)