Newest Addition to "The Ryman English Setter Story" ~ "The Sad Fate of Sloe Depot"

It has been a busy and sometimes hectic time at the Fetters' household, kennels and camps over this past year (see most recent post below) ~ which unfortunately has not allowed for much time and effort for the Fetters English Setters blogspot/web site.

Hopefully, we will be able to spare more time for our blogspot/web site now. And on that note, John has just finished the latest installment of "The Ryman English Setter Story," (easily accessed by clicking here): "The Sad Fate of Slow Depot."

As many already know, Sloe Depot was George Ryman's famous and well-regarded hunting camp in Quebec, Canada. There have been a number of misrepresentations made about this camp and about George Ryman himself ~ and we hope to clarify a number of those suppositions and falsehoods (as well as on other topics) with our contributions here, based on factual and historical documents and materials. We do hope you enjoy John's latest addition.

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More Testimonials Published ...

Through the years ~ through past decades, in actuality ~ John has received many types of different letters crediting his knowledge and expertise in all things English Setter.

We have just added two more of these letters to our "Fetters Setters ~ Testimonials ~ Living the Dream, the Upland Shooting Life ...", easily accessed by clicking here.
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While we have literally boxes upon boxes of letters such as these ~ and we plan to publish many more of them in one format or another at some point in the future ~ we chose to publish these two at this time as we believe they will be quite the eye-openers for our loyal readers.

One letter, in fact, is a cautionary tale that OFA hip ratings do not necessarily guarantee an overall sound genetic dog, as many other factors play into the mystifying cauldron of canine genetics as well ~ and it is only the breeder with the extensive skill and knowledge, as well as experience, who are aware of the ways these genetic problems can be dealt with and ultimately circumvented for the good of the dog and owners, the latter whom "pays the piper" financially as well as emotionally in the end.

For easy access. we have also included "Fetters Setters ~ Testimonials ~ Index" at the top of the page. East links to the two newest letters entitled: "Client Credits John For His Work With Ryman-Type English Setters, Reveals Genetic Problems with Other Breeders" and "Client Reveals Warren Sheckells of Pine Coble Tells Him John is Out of Business" can be found at the bottom of the current index.

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Breeding the Lines, a Successful Long-term Strategy ~ Part Two

George H. Ryman

shooting over

Ryman's

Birdy Anne,
a 47-pound

short-coupled

Setter
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Despite many breeders' current claims to be breeding "Ryman Type." "Ryman Style, "Ryman Line," etc. English Setters ~ and even one stupendous claim from a breeder who claims George H. Ryman did not possess the talent to personally pen the "Ryman Standard" ~ George H. Ryman did indeed have his standards and ideals for his shooting dogs which relied on the dogs more than the "paper" in the pedigrees which so many breeders utilize today.

Through the years, we have been made aware of increasing genetic problems as a result of inexperienced and unknowing breeders ~ issues with conformation, pigmentation and unfortunate physical/medical problems as well. And every one of these breeders marketing their dogs and puppies with the "Ryman" label in one incarnation or another.

John discusses some of these issues and more in his latest piece, "Breeding the Lines, a Successful Long-term Strategy ~ Part Two," on the "Fetters Setters ~ History amd Heritage" page, easily accessed by clicking here.

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It is heart-breaking to hear such stories from people who truly love their dogs, and who perhaps must even deal with their dog's suffering because a breeder was only interested in the bottom line ~ no matter what type of marketing nonsense the breeder fed the prospective buyer in person, on their web page or by other means. We have always felt, whether in breeding or purchasing, that prevention is the best medicine.

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So additionally, in order to offer an in-depth look at what is happening in todays world of setter breeding, we will be posting well-documented letters we have recieved over the past five to ten years from people who have purchased setters from individuals who claim to know what good quality breeding is all about.

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Then you can be the ultimate judge in such matters.

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