November 2017

Honey/Milo 1.21.17 "ELLIE" Ellie’s 1st pheasant hunt, she did great! Dani K. Iowa 

Rocky at training camp ! He is doing amazing... we could not have asked for a better dog !! We just wanted to share with you his success and can't wait for fall !!  Lori C. Knox ME. Honey/Milo 12.14.15

ROCKY

*"BODE"  He is so calm....and LOVES people! Thank you!

Nancy D NH -Honey/Roy 12.17.14

December 2017

She’s been pretty much the easiest dog I’ve ever had. 

Great in the House, great in the woods. Minimal training for anything I’ve tried to get her to do. 

Bob D. Rangley, ME Honey/Roy 12.17.14

"LEMON"

Novemer 16, 2016

Hello George,

Wow, I’ve been meaning to write to you for so long. Every time I think of writing to you about Piper I think of 5 more things to say about how wonderful she is. More on that below.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Ellie left me last weekend while out pheasant hunting in Nebraska. We were on our first walk of the day and Ellie was running out ahead of us and hunting as usual. Unbelievable that she was almost 15 years old and still going strong! We had just taken a water break and were hunting again and I commented to my old friend about how well Ellie was still hunting. A few minutes later we heard her moaning and ran over to see what was wrong. I held her head and she took 3 deep breaths and was gone. It happened so fast that I was in shock for several minutes. But it was such a beautiful scene out there in the middle of that huge CRP field and knowing that she had died doing what she loved and what she was bred to do made it seem so natural. It is exactly what I hoped and prayed would happen for her and for me.

I am heartbroken but so grateful for all those years of having her as my best friend. I’ve been very fortunate to have work that allows me to be with the dogs most of the time and also to have the ability to take them hunting often. You would not believe how well Ellie has been doing these last 3 years. My friends were blown away by her stamina and longevity and so was I. She was almost never sick, honestly the only times I would take her to the vet were for minor hunting injuries.

I have some amazing video of Ellie and Piper just two weeks ago that I’ll share with you soon. Ellie pointed a big covey of quail and Piper locked up on them too. It’s a beautiful sight to see those two friends on point on the GoPro video, and it turns out that it would be Ellie’s last.

I don’t even know where to start about Piper. She is such a sweet, gentle dog and she is nothing short of amazing as a pointer on pheasants and quail. And she is such a wonderful pet, not a mean bone in her body. You have done a fantastic job George of breeding these setters!

Thanks George, I will be forever grateful to you for breeding Miss Ellie. She was the best dog I ever had.

Cheers,

Mark R.   Colorado     Owner of Ellie & Piper

George -

Hope this email finds you and your family well.  Just wanted to give you an update on our Holly, now 15 months old and 4 times in the field.  She spent a month away from us in training back in August and had her first hunting experiences in November. 

Her first two times out were mixed, with some good points but also no inclination to retrieve - all to be expected given her youth and inexperience.  However the last two times have been pure joy.  The picture below was after her third time in a field, and the first time I took her out just by myself - she pointed and put up 4 birds and I was able to take 2.  We walked fields of sorghum and corn for a solid 2 1/2 hours and she never took a break, showing great enthusiasm and willingness to range further ahead of me. 

This past weekend I went out with her and a friend and she was fantastic.  We were in a field where a driven shoot had taken place earlier so a fair amount of leftover birds.  Her nose is amazing - her points were strong and when she went rock solid, there was always a bird there, even if very well hidden!  And while she won't retrieve yet, she does chase and keep an eye on the bird until I come and get it - hope with training this summer she can learn to retrieve as well.  Again, she worked for near 3 hours without a break - her choice!  I can tell that she truly loves being in the field.

It's so much fun to hunt with my own dog - in this I'm as much a neophyte as she, and we're learning together - but I know she'll be a fantastic bird dog for years to come.   And goes without saying but she's a lovely and friendly dog at home.

Thanks again and regards,

Steve ~ owner of Holly

JANUARY 2015

My husband has always wanted a hunting dog. After years of telling me how much he liked the looks of the English Setter, he started his hunt for breeders in early 2013.  Always the inquisitive one, thirsting for knowledge on the subject, he talked to several breeders and found LIttle River Kennels. Very happy with the openness and fund of knowledge George shared with him, the hours of research and phone calls, visiting the kennel and getting to see the dogs, we decided to get our first setter from Little River. We have not been disappointed. 

Knowing there were going to be two litters due within a week of each other in the Fall of 2013, we weren't sure which litter we were going to choose from, but when the first litter came, we went and picked our pup. Time couldn't pass fast enough to bring her home. Just before Christmas, we got to bring her home. I was a little nervous. Our 5 year old Golden Retriever was excited to have a playmate, until he realized she liked his ears, his cheek, his jowls... and it hurt.  She still to this day reminds him who is boss, but is quick to curl up with him next to the woodstove.  The second we put her on the ground, she was running. And she was fast! It wasn't long before I couldn't keep up with her. 

Each day as she grows older, she continues to amaze us. She loves to be outside. Ray takes her out in the woods for a run every weekend he is home.  We watched her little self trying to climb over the fallen trees and whine for help. Now, she sails over trees like they aren't even there. He let her figure things out for herself, and she was a fast learner. She is all hunter when outside and, when inside, the perfect couch potato. One of her favorite activities is being in the kitchen, watching mom cook. She is a loving family pet, but also foots the bill as a wonderful bird dog. Ray has spent much time with her and, this past fall, she pointed and put up at last 80 birds. This was only her first fall hunt. Other than teaching her the whistle, hand signals and telling her easy, she has done everything herself naturally.  

We are looking forward to the day when we are ready to return to LRK to choose another addition to the family. We have fallen in love with this beautiful bundle of energy, intelligence and beauty, wondering what took us so long to find the breed! 

Ray and Tina Straiton 

January 2015

Little River Kennel bred the most wonderful litter of puppies.  Our Trigger, now six months old, is bright, healthy, happy, well adjusted, eager to please, and a joy to be around.

Kathy B. Campton, NH 

August 2013

“Ellie has been the most fantastic dog I could have ever hoped for George! She is my best friend and an incredible hunter and house dog. She got to hunt pheasants this year for the first in South Dakota and CO and did great. At first there was so much scent that she went a little wild, because she had never been on pheasants before, but then she settled down. My buddy and I got 36 pheasants and 7 grouse! And Ellie was the star of the show – there were two German Shorthairs much younger and my friend had to rest and alternate them but Ellie went on every walk. And on quail she is the best, she has that game down pat. When I blow a quail call, she literally stops breathing waiting for them to call back so she can locate them!

PS I met a guy Mearns quail hunting near the border of Mexico and he had a dog he got from you about 15 years ago and it was still hunting.”

I hope everything is going well for you. I know it is time to get another pup soon so that Ellie can train her!

Mark Richter Boulder CO.

Owner Ellie--Age 9

BODE

Hi George and Maureen

We had such a great experience when we came to you for our first Llewellin setter that we had to return to you for our newest member of the family. Zip was such a blast to hunt with there was no question in my mind that I wanted another one.

 As you can see from the attached pictures, our new pup Bode is coming along nicely. Hardly a pup now, he still acts like one and is very entertaining to have around. Though he has had his moments his early training has gone well. He is so soft mouthed that the six quail that I thought I would be replacing within a week lasted me into the fall. He works close, quartering within gun range in tight cover but will range out a bit as the area opens up. He seems to be more methodical than Zip who would plow head first into any type of thick cover, Bode picks his way through and canvas’s the area well.  He had his first experience with a second hunter this past fall in Pittsburg and worked between us at a good range. Made me proud! He also holds point fairly well considering he has had no formal whoa training yet, using an experiential first year training method with more formal training to start next spring.

 We have a ways to go but all signs point to a real nice bird dog in the makings!

 Thanks Again

 Bruce & Linda Harrison  New Hampshire 12/2010

BODE

What more can we say about Llewellin Setters from George Gubitose!!?? Since day one, talking with George about the upcoming litters was so informative. He was very patient with our numerous questions, since we were previous Springer owners and didn't know much about Setters. 

         On May 9th, 2010,  we picked up our 8 week old pup, Chyna. She was so beautiful and gentle. This was after visiting George and his family and dogs in Alton a number of times. George's youngest daughter, is a big help to her father. She actually picked a name that we loved for our pup, Chyna! She and her sisters and mother give lots of love and playtime to all the pups.until they are adopted.

         Chyna is 8 months old now. She easily and quickly was housebroken and progressed through her basic commands. The best is her staunch and ridged "Whoa" command!!No problems working through the various gun sounds. She took well to a few hours in the field this season and actually pointed and retrieved some woodcock. It is so amazing to see her work although sometimes  she hunts for herself ,but we are working on that. We are retired and alone and she has been the best company, and just loves to play with the grand children when they visit. They love to hold her and chase with her in the yard.  Sometimes she wears us out but we wouldnt want it any other way.We enjoy watching her constantly pointing songbirds and "chippies" in the yard.She has the perfect  setter stance. She is a keeper.  The dogs at Little River Kennel are beautiful, smart , hard working and very loving . 

Karen and Gordon Jellow of Georgetown, MA  December 2010

  Chyna

We have loved every second of having Archie in our lives. He is an absolute joy.  All our best, Spencer & Jamie G. MA.

Owner of Archie 2010

Hello George, Maureen and family,

From the day Lori and I visited you and your family in Alton, we felt comfortable and welcomed by you all.  You gave us plenty of detailed information, educating us further about the English Setter breed and their characteristics.  It was easy to see, as we approached the new litter of dogs you had, that they are a playful, endearing breed.  Once we met our new little pup, Bailey, we knew we had been steered in the right direction.  Bailey was not only smart and loveable, but she had a way of connecting with us that seemed magical.  She loved to play (indoors and out), run, hide and cuddle.  As she grew older, her natural hunting skills were easily enhanced by training and she became a great bird hunter as well as a beautiful pointer.  She thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and nature.  It was incredible watching her run.  Oppositely, we often enjoyed watching Bailey lie quietly on the cool shaded grass in our yard, while the wind blew her long hair around.  Once our children came along, Bailey adapted to them with ease.  She was calm and gentle and was the best family dog imaginable.  She instinctively was a natural at protecting our girls and she was the first to let us know if someone was at the door.  Bailey was the greatest gift to us and she became the center of our family.  She won’t ever be duplicated but knowing first hand how wonderful her breed is, we are ready to welcome another “Little River Kennels” dog into our lives.

- With our thanks, 

 Dave & Lori Duplissis, Elizabeth & Gabrielle ~ Auburn, Maine

Bailey Charm Rivers Age 11 ~ 2010   

Tucker is very sweet, a great pet and a terrific hunting partner.  We are so happy with him, thank you very much.  We are out hunting twice a week and have several birds already on our score card.  (just a short story) last week we were hunting in the 4 inches of fresh snow and came home with three birds.  We would of had four but someone missed a shot (me).  I swear he turned around and looked at me as to say what was up with that....anyway thanks for staying in touch, love hearing from you folks.. 

Sincerely

Sportfield "Tucker" and Joe --Connecticut,  December 2010

 George, Just wanted to let you know that this was Willy's first full year of "hunting", as my theory has always been to let them play and learn the first year out, let them learn and play the second year and hunt the third. It's a method that's served me well so far although I know there are a lot of people who'd disagree.

As you know I guide some up here in Quebec and Willy's just a fantastic little dog. Hunts nice and close , extremely solid on his points and although he wasn't much for retrieving at first, he just "started" one day on his own and is really great at it now. And really, it took very little training. A little pigeon work, a little patience and that was about it. As much as he's a goof around the house and loves to just play, He's dead serious when he sees me getting ready to leave the house with a gun. And he "loves" the thick stuff which is a big change from my last "field" trial Setter.

Attached is a picture of him on a pheasant this past fall. Thanks and keep in touch, feel free to use my name as a contact if you want."

- Don Keddy (owner of Rivers Sir Willey)  Hemmingford, Quebec  Canada  514-916-7332

                   Hi, it is good to hear from you, I hope all is well. I have sent some pics for you to take a look at-- the white guy is Simon and the tri-color is Miss Beasley. Simon is going on 6 1/2 and Beaz is 2 1/2. I guess we can officially say that Simon is TRYING to slow down now--but-- Miss Beaz is not making it easy. They constantly play together and don't go anywhere without each other. It is hard not to spoil them. They think it's normal to sleep in our king size bed, have their own spots on the leather couch and go to daycare to play with their friends.

It must be the breed, because I don't think we could get this lucky two out of two times. They have the best personalities and dispositions of any dogs we have ever owned. They love everyone, especially kids, and are exceptionally tolerant of the littlest ones who poke and pull things they shouldn't. I don't hunt-- but these are the best family dogs anyone could have.

My wife and I will vouch for the breed and the breeders, Little River Kennels has helped us pick out two great furry family members. Thanks"

-  Mike and Terry G. Weare, New Hampshire (owners of Simon & Beasley)

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 Hello! Just writing to let you know we could not be happier with our puppy "Coleman". Not only has he made a great family pet, my husband is very happy with his hunting abilities. Thank you very much for this wonderful addition to our family.

-The Bunyan family.  MA 2010

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Dear George and Family,

 Happy New Year to you all and thanks for sending out the new website.  We will be forwarding it to friends who are looking for a puppy. 

 We are now in our third year with Talisker and just grow fonder and fonder of this dog.  The temperament, the intelligence, and the socialization he received from you all as a newborn all just make him so lovable-and on top of that, he has so much character!  I've never known a dog to communicate the way Tali does.  If you need any testimonials we would be happy to offer nothing but the highest praise.  All our friends and family love him too!

 Hope you have a great new year with lots of little puppies to love! 

 Carol and Allan McCausland ~ Warner, NH 03278  owners of Talisker ...December 2010

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George-

Both of the dogs that we have gotten from you have been excellent in the field and Morag has been perfect with the children.  She even came and got me once when our daughter ran down our driveway (200 yards long) to find Mommy because she knew something was not right.  One of my friends does a lot of field trialing and he has had the national grouse champion about eight years ago.  He always seems to invite me to go hunting when he needs some good dog work.

Brian S. Owner of "Morag" ~ NH

 10 years  ~December 2010