Modern Technology ~ Bah! Humbug!

And they tell us "modern technology" makes life easier ...

As some of our readers may have noticed, some of our photos (and most of our backgrounds) have "vanished" from the Fetters Setters site recently.

This is due to an unreliable provider where we had a number of our images loaded for display.

The provider undertook a major upgrade without any prior notification and in the process, these images were lost and instead began displaying the provider's logo rather than the images we originally stored there.

We have been traveling, training and hunting and will deal with this unfortunate dilemma in due time ~ and transfer the "lost" images to a more reliable service provider.

We do have all the "missing" images in a safe place, so if there are any you want or need before we get them back on-line again just let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate you. In the meantime, we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

And sincerely hope you are finding the upland game as plentiful as we are this season ...

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Newest Addition ~ "Fetters Setters ~ Not Just English Setters" ~ Rescues Are a Lifestyle, Too

Count Mortimer,
SPCA Raid Rescue,
July 1989 ~ still
alive and well and
as bossy as ever
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Through the years, John and I have always had other types of dogs as well as our English Setters and Springer Spaniels.
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More often than not, these have been rescues of one type or another, directly from shelters and other places, strays and even one or two which were dropped off along the road near our home.
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On our newest page, "Fetters Setters ~ Not Just English Setters" (easily accessed by clicking here), we will be featuring a number of our other pups, both past and present. Another future addition we also are planning ~ either on that same page or on a separate page ~ is a series of stories about English Setters who have been rescued by knowing and caring individuals, some of these setters which have gone on to win important championships ~ which perhaps helps to prove the theory that there are no "bad" dogs, just incompetent owners.
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We feel it is important to call attention to the plight of abandoned, lost and homeless dogs everywhere, no matter what their breed ~ as well as to the many fine animal welfare organizations out there who do what they can to rescue and help these poor animals in the interim ~ and do so while always being strapped for funds and supplies themselves.
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The first piece there, written by John, is the story of Count Mortimer (pictured above) who was brought home 20 years ago this month after being recovered in an SPCA raid at the tender age of four-weeks-old. Presently weighing just seven pounds, he has developed a stylish Osthaus-style point ~ and although he is not much of a bird dog, he is deadly on bugs.
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"Mort" is still alive and well and is one of the great joys of our life ~ as well as a great joy and nearly constant source of amusement (and even awe at times) to all of our English Setters and other dogs as well.
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"The Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated ..."

Since the mid-1990s, John and I have been highly amused by the resultant "rumor mill" ~ such "stories" in circulation (for whatever reason and with most originating with those who certainly knew differently!) that John was "bought out," "no longer breeding," ad infinitum, ad nauseum.
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Yes, some even going so far as to suggest that John was dead! (Don't worry though, we know who you are ~ and have received even more reports of these rumors as recently as last week!
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As Mark Twain once famously remarked, "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
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With a family heritage of five generations of breeding exceptional English Setter gundogs to maintain ~ and even though such matters as family affairs and other business interests frequently intruded ~ John still worked diligently in protecting, perfecting and improving upon the George Ryman-based lines the Fetters Family had become known for.
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As John has stated before on our pages here, there are no "short cuts" to breeding quality shooting dogs in a consistent manner ~ and once achieved, the lines must be protected and improved upon with the introduction of the occasional "right type" of blood.
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One of the results of John's endeavors are shown in the photo above in the bottom photo, Fetters-bred "Grouse Greta," at 16-months old in 2009 ~ along with a comparison photo of Ryman's Racket Boy, a setter bred by George H. Ryman himself.
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Though female and male, they are near mirror images in conformation ~ and the other standards George H. Ryman set and which the Fetters Family has maintained ~ are present as well.
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To learn more, see John's most recent piece, "Breeding the Lines, a Successful Long-term Strategy" on our "Fetters Setters ~ History and Heritage" page, easily accessed by clicking here.
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"... moving through the coverts like phantoms ..."

Over the years, John has received hundreds of letters from all over the world ~ testimonials to not only his exceptional skills in breeding exceptional English Setters, but also to his hunting and guide skills as well. The first letter we've selected to publish and share from this vast series of tributes to John and the Fetters Family English Setters opens by talking about actually "living the upland shooting life" ~ as has been practiced by John for decades ~ and the Fetters Family for generations before him.
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It is the very first publication on our "Fetters Setters ~ Testimonials" page, which can easily be accessed by clicking here.
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Latest Addition to the George H. Ryman Story

George H. Ryman during a moose hunt in Canada with his famed guide,

Chief Big Game Guide Par Excellence Willie Commando, in background

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While George H. Ryman was certainly known far and wide for his famous Ryman Setters, he was a multi-faceted individual with many other interests and past-times.

One keen interest and past-time of his which many may not be aware of was his penchant for Big Game Hunting at his Canadian camp.

John has written an introductory piece to this side of George H. Ryman: "An Introduction to George H. Ryman as 'Big Game Hunter'" which we have just published on the "Fetters Setters ~ The Ryman English Setters Story" page, which can be easily accessed by clicking here.
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Other stories about George H. Ryman are in the works including not only about the subject of his famed setters, but also about other aspects of his intriguing life, including more about his Canadian camp, big game hunting and last but not least, his famed guide, Chief Big Game Guide Par Excellence Willie Commando, shown in the photo with George Ryman above.

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Bon Bow-Wow Appetit ~ Rainy Day Homemade Dog Treats

Rainy Day
Dog Treats,
the "hardest"
part is the
baking ...

Rainy Day Homemade Dog Treats, one of the easiest and most versatile recipes out there ~ developed in our own kitchen by The Lady of the House and the best part is, the "hardest" part is the baking.

Not only are they easy, but the recipe can be adapted in any number of ways to accommodate your pup's favorite flavors and foods ~ and also to accommodate whatever you happen to have on hand.

The main ingredients ~ besides the "flavorings" ~ are flour and rice, the latter ingredient being an especially healthful and nutritious canine treat.

See this highly adaptable and easy-to-make recipe on the "Fetters Setters ~ Home, Hearth, Hunting, Family, Fashion and Fun" page, easily accessible by clicking here. Happy canine dining!
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The "Classic" English Setter ~ What Exactly Does That Term Mean?

The "Classic" English Setter ~ a term used far and wide ~ as an accurate description or not?
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The Fetters Family also used the term "classic" when describing setters, however the attributes they were referring to ~ particularly when it came to John's Great-Grandfather ~ may surprise some and be a breath of fresh air for others.
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John has just completed the first piece for our "Fetters Setters ~ The Classic English Setter" page, easily accessed by clicking here. In this first piece ~ entitled: "The 'Classic' English Setter ~ What Does That Term Mean?" ~ he shares just a few of the intriguing words of wisdom passed onto him by his Great-Grandfather when it came to setters (or "Shooting Dogs," which was his Great-Grandfather's favorite tried and true term for them ~ and a term widely in use by most hunters of that particular period in time).
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It is a piece any lover of English Setters ~ particularly those who love to hunt over them ~ should be sure not to miss.
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A Tribute to Mr. Stu Ward, Great Friend and Indefatigable Hunting Companion

It is never easy to weather the loss of a great friend and shooting companion, especially when that person has become a father figure to one in later years.

It also can be just as difficult to place some of those memories on paper in tribute to such a person ~ and such a person indeed was Mr. Stu Ward to John over many memorable years.

We have just published a tribute to Mr. Stu Ward on the "Fetters Setters ~ Tributes and Memories" page (easily accessed by clicking here), and it should be said that it is only the beginning of a number of pieces we will be sharing about Mr. Stu Ward over time.

As anyone familar with the "Fetters Setters ~ Tributes and Memories" page knows, the pieces there are just as much devoted to those still with us ~ as well as to those who have passed on ~ and we deeply regret the passing of Mr. Stu Ward on a daily basis here.
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New Additions to the Fetters Setters ~ History and Heritage Page

We have finally been able to make available here a small portion of the Fetters English Setters History and Heritage, which can easily be accessed by clicking here.

In the on-going unpacking, sorting and re-organizing of the massive Fetters Family English Setters histories mentioned here earlier, we found several photos of early English Setters bred and owned by the Fetters Family which we are sharing with you now.

Included in this initial collection is a photo of John's Great-Grandmother, Mary B. Fetters, posing with a female Orange Belton. We will be sharing more of the Fetters Family English Setter histories with you on the Fetters Setters ~ History and Heritage page in the near future.

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New Blog Page ~ Our Dogs ~ Hunting Scenes and Other Photos

Long overdue, however better late than never, is the addition of the newest Fetters Setters page, Fetters Setters ~ Our Dogs ~ Hunting Scenes and Other Photos, which can be found by clicking here.

As stated elsewhere on our pages here in the past, many of our records and other items were placed in storage sometime ago due to extensive travels necessitated by both business and family affairs. One of the wonderful aspects of having a number of these items under-foot again is that it has been almost like re-connecting with family and old friends in a sense.

We have been in the process of retrieving these treasures and unpacking, re-sorting and re-organizing them for sometime. The initial photos on our newest page are only the beginning of a vast amount of material which we plan to share here.

We have foregone any captions on the initial batch of these as most are relatively self-explanatory. We may or may not add written information in short doses at some point in the future, depending on when we feel the need and as time allows.

While styles and fashions come in and go out with time, the beauty of a well-conformed English Setter in the field and at home near the hearth are indeed timeless.
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Beauty as well as stunning ability are attributes the Fetters Family English Setters have been known for through five generations: a setter must possess brain and stamina to hunt everyday under adverse weather conditions and in any type of cover encountered. These outstanding qualities are continued in the bloodlines we breed and maintain to this day.

We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we have enjoyed going through them and sharing them with you here.


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The Strange and Sad Tale Regarding Ryman's Nutmeg Sprint ("Meg")

In the mid-1990s, Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West wrote at least two separate letters to John in which they demanded a refund from John for a dog.

For a dog John was NOT the breeder of and in fact, for a dog John NEVER EVEN OWNED! But which Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West kept insisting they were going to return to him despite these more than obvious facts of the matter!

Just when you thought you had heard it all ...

The strange and sad tale of Ryman's Nutmeg Sprint ("Meg") ~ an English Setter whose name relatively recently came back onto the scene when Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West managed to dream up and publish even more false and inconsistent stories (along with a number of their now-notorious forged and fraudulent documents as "proof" of their over-the-top accusations).

After recently having an opportunity to review a number of Fetters Setters archived documents, we felt it was time to set the record straight regarding this poor dog whom Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West first attempted to make into a center of controversy (and the apparent subject of an attempted scam) as early as the mid-1990s.

Truth can indeed be stranger than fiction ~ and the full sad, sad story surrounding Ryman's Nutmeg Sprint ("Meg") can be found by clicking here.

Unfortunately, this is not the only English Setter which Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West have endeavored to manufacture numerous falsehoods about.

Although we feel the falsehoods surrounding this particular dog are without a doubt one of the strangest tall tales Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West have managed to manufacture to-date ~ we feel this story also provides an arguably disturbing insight into the true character and on-going patterns of malicious and fraudulent behavior of Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West.

We would also like to take this opportunity to express our genuine appreciation for the many letters and expressions of support and encouragement. Once again, this "saga" is far from over and a final and official resolution to these matters grows closer with each passing day.

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Response to the Recent Accusations and Further Falsehoods Created by Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West on the Setters West Web Page

Photo of Timbers Sagaceous Blue from

Setters West old web page

accessed by clicking here and still

present on the web as of March 24th, 2009

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For those of you who have accessed our "Fetters Setters ~ The Falsification of Fetters English Setters F.D.S.B. Registrations and Pedigrees" (accessed by clicking here), you are already aware that we have been addressing some very serious issues regarding F.D.S.B. (Field Dog Stud Book) records which have been falsified with fraudulent bloodlines.

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As stated previously on that page, most breeders are honest, hard-working people who are as meticulous in their record-keeping as they are in caring for the dogs they love ~ and breed and raise their dogs more for the enjoyment and love of the breed than for "monetary gain."

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Unfortunately, it takes only an occasional unethical breeder who decides to place his or her entire kennel operation on the line with the quick and easy "fix" of a falsified F.D.S.B. registration ~ and thus end up not only placing their kennel operation on the line but victimizing every other owner and/or breeder they have dealt with ~ directly or indirectly ~ who suddenly one day finds their F.D.S.B. registrations suspended ~ not to mention that they have also upset the genetic balance of countless breeding programs

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Such is the case of Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West, 1511 Timberline Road, Lewistown, MT 59457, with their falsified breeding records for Timbers Sagaceous Blue ~ whom they claim was born in Montana at Setters West (and whom was actually whelped at my kennel) and whom they claim has an out-crossed bloodline rather than the line breeding she actually possesses ~ which genetic testing has proven and with both the out-crossed bloodlines and line-bred bloodlines still being bred and maintained by me.

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Rather than address their customers' very serious concerns however, Rick and Chris Taylor have chosen instead to manufacture further falsehoods regarding me (including an "alleged" court case against me which never took place, among other outrageous claims and bizarre accusations) on the Setters West web page ~ where I was directed earlier today ~ Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 ~ by concerned people with whom I have done repeat business (and who know I do not make such claims lightly without having the hard facts to back them up).

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Strangely enough, Rick and Chris Taylor of Setters West have chosen to completely ignore the ISSUE which is CONCLUSIVE GENETIC TESTING ~ and for which they (and unfortunately also a number of their innocent and trusting customers) will soon suffer very serious consequences.

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If you have had no past dealings with the Rick and Chris Taylor and Setters West ~ or have none of the fraudulent bloodlines in your dog's pedigree ~ you may still want to look over the page and the information provided there as the lessons to be learned there could save you (and your dog) any future heartache.

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Latest Additions to Fetters Setters ~ Antiques and Collectibles Page

Safely packed away and stored for sometime due to our extensive travels, many of the pieces in our personal collection of English Setter and Gun Dog pieces require the same time and care in the unpacking as they required when initially packed.

We recently had an opportunity to unpack even more of these pieces ~ again with a number of them being Fetters Family heirlooms, handed down to John by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

We have shared more of these pieces with our interested readers on the Fetters Setters ~ Antiques and Collectibles page, which can be easily accessed by clicking here.

Recent pieces which were just posted there today span a time period from the Early 1900s to the 1950s and include relatively rare pieces which were lovingly cared for and preserved by John's family. We hope you enjoy the latest additions.

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George Ryman's "Other Dogs" and His "Creative" Breeding Program

The latest fascinating addition to "Fetters Setters ~ The Ryman English Setter Story" is entitled: "George Ryman's Little Known Behind-the-Scenes 'Creative" Breeding Program" (found by clicking here) and serves to divulge even more generally unknown facts about this remarkable man and the "creative process" he employed in his gun dog breeding program.
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This is the fifth chapter we have so far published in this compelling story. The other four chapters ~ referred to in the posting immediately below this one ~ can also be found on the "Fetters Setters ~ The Ryman English Setter Story" page. And many more chapters ~ all personally written by John ~ will certainly follow, as time and our busy schedules allow.

When recalling all the widely "known" stories about George H. Ryman and his Ryman Setters, most people think only of English Setters ~ and do not think of Gordon Setters or Irish Setters (or even Pointers) ~ which in fact George H. Ryman also owned and greatly appreciated.

Ryman in fact won many blue ribbons in the Novice Category on the bench with at least two of his own personal Gordon Setters, Yesdihc Challenge's Boy and Jack Mac Nab ~ amongst many other laurels which will be written about further in future chapters.

Compiled from the meticulously preserved Fetters Family English Setter History, this latest chapter authored by John is sure to prove intriguing and informative to anyone with even a passing interest in George H. Ryman and and the gun dogs he bred, raised, trained and hunted.

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The Ryman English Setter Story

“All good things come to he who waits.” ~~~ Old Proverb

Illustration from an early 1900s European postcard print

Compiled from memory and records based on actual documentation from the Fetters Family English Setter histories, John has begun his series of articles on the facts and fictions surrounding the renowned breeder, George H. Ryman.

This rare and original story of George H. Ryman and the Ryman dogs can be found on the "Fetters Setters ~ The Ryman English Setter Story" page which can be easily accessed by clicking here.

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There are four intial articles or chapters in the George Ryman saga: George H. Ryman: Separating Some of the Facts from the Myths; Add a Dash of "Salemanship"; An Inside Look at the Real Story of Sir Roger DeCoverly; George Ryman's Personal Dogs.

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Anyone who has read most other existing accounts of George H. Ryman and the Ryman Setters is sure to have at least one or two (if not many) fallacies finally laid to rest.

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There are many other chapters to be added to this saga which will be appearing here on the Fetters Setters web site in due time. Particularly intriguing are the myths about George Ryman and his setters which have come to be believed as fact over the years.

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The Fetters Family English Setter histories include both the legacy and personal knowledge of this great man and we hope, through John's accounting, to clear up many of the fictions which continue to surround George Ryman and the Ryman Setters to the present day.

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A Lively New Addition to the Fetters Setters Web Site/Blog: Fetters Setters ~ Training Tips

Typical eight-month old Female English Setter

by Roscoe Gladstone and Irene Cooper (circa. Early 1900s)

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One of the newest additions to the Fetters Setters website/blog is a brand new page, "Fetters Setters ~ Training Tips" which can be easily accessed by clicking here.

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As some of you are already aware, the Fetters Setters English Setters bloodlines and upland game hunting traditions have been on-going for no less than five generations.

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The first article, personally written by John Fetters as all of them will be, is only the first of many tips and topics which will be appearing there.

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You will have a rare opportunity to share in some of the vast reserve of knowledge and insights John has acquired through the years ~ much of which has been passed down religously through the Fetters Family.

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If you have any specific topic you would like to see there, just use the "Fetters Setters ~ Contact Us" page, accessed by clicking here, and we will see what we can do to accommodate you.

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John has been encouraged for years and years to put some of this vast knowledge ~ much of which has been passed along by his family through four generations of upland game hunters and English Setter owners and breeders ~ down on paper.

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However now, with The Lady of the House (who is writing this particular piece) having a background in professional publishing, he no longer has a reason not to finally do so.

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As with most of our English Setter and Gun Dog related topics, John does the initial writing ~ which is then edited and formatted by The Lady of the House and published here.

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Anyone who knows John personally is already aware that he has the capability of doing at least a dozen things at one time ~ so The Lady of the House will have her work cut out for her as John already has four more different articles in progress, besides seven or eight (or fifteen or sixteen) other projects going on.

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Newest Addition: Fetters Setters ~ Antique and English Setter Collectible Shop

We have received numerous requests concerning the possible sale of a number of Antiques and Collectibles from our Private Collection which we have shared with you ~ and will continue to share with you ~ on the "Fetters Setters ~ Antiques and Collectibles" page.

The pieces which appear on the "Fetters Setters ~ Antique and Collectibles" page are from our Private Collection ~ many of which are Fetters Family Heirlooms ~ and are not for sale. However due to the number of inquiries we have received, we have made available Antiques and Collectibles for purchase by any of the interested general public on the newest addition to our web site, "Fetters Setters ~ Antique and English Setters Collectible Shop" which you can access easily by using this link.

We will be offering different items there from time to time. Some members of the family and friends have acquired duplicates of pieces and/or do not have the room for a certain piece any longer ~ and occasionally, we have also picked up duplicate pieces on one of our many adventures. If there is something specific you have been searching for, contact us using the Contact Us by Email page and we will see what we can do to assist you in your search.

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The Beginning Stages of "Our Favorite Books" and the "Literature Warehouse"

We've begun to add items of interest to two of our Fetters Setters web pages. While we already had several pieces in the "Fetters Setters ~ Literature Warehouse" (which can be found by clicking here, the pieces there had been compiled of the text from Corey Ford's "The Road to Tinkhamtown" from "The Best of Corey Ford" and a dog-and-his-boy story from Louisa May Alcott's classic, "Under the Lilacs."

The "Fetters Setters ~ Literature Warehouse" had been designed primarily to include selected and actual excerpts from some of our favorite books and other readings in our personal library. Earlier, we added the first selection to the "Fetters Setters ~ Our Favorite Books and Other Selected Reading" web page, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Our first selection for this section is a book authored by A. F. Hochwalt, "Bird Dogs ~ Their History and Achievements" published by Sportsman's Digest in 1922. We have given a short description of the book's contents on the "Fetters Setters ~ Our Favorite Books and Other Selected Reading" web page and have direct links to excerpts from two separate chapters of the book, stored in the "Fetters Setters ~ Literature Warehouse."

We plan on including other pieces as time allows, however many of the excerpts have never been published on the Internet before in the depth and accuracy we have tried to attain there and the excerpts must therefore be manually entered (typed in) to the web page content. We hope you enjoy what our beginning efforts have produced and hope you will check back periodically for newer contributions.

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Now You Can Send a Vintage English Setter Postcard from the Fetters Setters Site ...

We've found a wonderful Internet program and function we've added to the Fetters Setters site which now will give you the opportunity to send Vintage English Setter Postcards to family and friends. You can access the "Fetters Setters ~ Send Vintage English Setter Postcards to Family Members and Friends" web page from the Fetters Setters Links list included on every Fetters Setters web page ~ or you can access it now by clicking here.

The program is very easy to use and self-explanatory. The selection of Vintage English Setter Postcards there is fairly basic and limited at this time ~ as it is still in the early stages of development ~ and the backgrounds you will find there are fairly basic as well. We hope to add more variety to the site as time allows (more Vintage English Setter Postcards and a wider variety of custom backgrounds), however the important aspect now is that we tested it several times and it does work. Perfectly.

We have a collection of Vintage and Antique English Setter Postcards and prints which we will be sharing there ~ and you may occasionally find another breed of dog (particularly other breeds of Gun Dogs) there as well as gamebirds, nature and Upland Game Hunting themes and sometimes just a generic or seasonal antique or vintage theme (such as vintage and antique Valentines).

You're invited to stop back and see what we have there periodically as we will add to it and change the offerings there from time to time. We have the basic "bones" of our web site/Blog completed now and ~ as you may have already noticed ~ we are now working on rounding out and filling in the content and themes of each individual page a little at a time. In the meantime, feel free to use the Fetters Setters ~ Send Vintage English Setter Postcards to Family Members and Friends anytime and as much as you like.

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Latest Additions ~ Snips and Snails and Sugar and Spice

For those following the Fetters Setters Blog in its very, very earliest stages of development, you may have noticed by now two of our latest additions: "Fetters Setters ~ Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails" which focuses on little boys and their best friends in the world, English Setters, and "Fetters Setters ~ Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice" which focuses on little girls and the English Setters they love. Occasionally another breed of Four-footed Companion may make it in there, however the great majority of content will be English Setter themed. Children and dogs go together like Salt and Pepper, Frogs and Ponds, Bacon and Eggs and ... well, you get the idea.
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We've always been amused and amazed at the unique and different ways Girls and Boys interact with their Four-footed Companions ~ and the unexpected "situations" which can arise. We have many fond memories of the Four-footed Companions of our Childhood and even more shared memories of those of our own children. We hope the addition of these two pages will bring a smile to your face and evoke some of your own fond childhood memories as well.
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Illustration by Clara Burd, "Tippy Tries to Swim" from a book published by Saalfield Publishing Company, 1928

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"The best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother - and they'll settle for a puppy every time." ~~~ Winston Pendelton

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"If you turn the imagination loose like a hunting dog, it will often return with a bird in its mouth." ~~~ William Maxwell

Print: section of "The Retrieve" by Edmund H. Osthaus

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