Hillcrest Kennel - Illinois English Setter Breeders

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About Hillcrest Kennel

Hillcrest Kennel is dedicated to producing exceptional English Setters for the field. We breed for:
Desire
Exceptional style
Temperament
Intelligence
Superior nose
OFA Hips

DNA Certified


Currently we are specializing in:
AKC Hunt Test
NSTRA Field Trials
Outstanding Hunting Companions

All Dogs and Puppies are Guaranteed for Good Health and OFA hips.

Hunting Dog Breeds Raised
English Setter
Additional Services
Stud Services
Breeder Contact Info
Jim & Zack Norman
Tuscola, Illinois 61953
Breeding quality gun dogs for over 15 years.
Click here to visit Hillcrest Kennel website
Our Pedigrees

Testimonials (43) You are viewing the 10 most recent - View all reviews for Hillcrest Kennel
Submitted by: Lexi Towell on Mar 04, 2020
We bought two dogs from Jim in November 2019: a 2 ½ year old fully trained female and a 4 month old male. They are really beautiful dogs with great temperaments and have been wonderful additions to our family. Breeze is affectionate and well-mannered in the house, but energetic and driven in the field. My husband has had great success hunting with her. She also loves to swim and retrieve whatever we throw in the pond behind our house. Winston is a smart, confident puppy who loves to point the birds in our yard. He has done well with his basic obedience training, so we are sure he will do well with his field training later in the year. Our experience with Jim has been great. It’s obvious that he really cares for his dogs, their breeding and their performance in the field. He’s been very responsive to all of my husband’s questions about handling Breeze in the field and checks in with us periodically to see how both dogs are doing. We highly recommend Jim and his setters!
Submitted by: Amy Loehr on Mar 25, 2019
I got in contact with Norman at Hillcrest kennels when he was recommended by my veterinarian. Norman was interested in what we were looking for in a pup & new member of our family.

Once Willie was born he kept me posted on puppy development & sent pictures. Norman clearly has a love & passion for the English Setter breed.

Willie was born in June 2018. He is so smart, healthy & gorgeous. He has an excellent temperament, loves us & all 4 of our kids. He is eager to please. Willie enjoys fetching, carrying his toys in his mouth & learning new tricks. When I walk him I almost always get stopped to tell me how beautiful Willie is. He is so adorable the way he prances next to me!

I could not ask for a better dog! I plan on purchasing another puppy from him in a few years. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at amybroach1@gmail.com

Submitted by: Richard Grant on Jan 28, 2019
I purchased my first dog from Jim in 2008. Molly turned out to be the best investment in a bird dog I ever made. She is a terrific bird finder and a sweetheart in the house. She was easy to train, always wanting to please. She backed naturally and loves to swim. At 11 years, she is slowing down, so I called Jim to see about another pup. Jim kept me abreast of the litters coming and let me know when my type was available.
Dancing Bell's Tinker is now 6 months old and pointing every bird she finds (and she finds more than Molly). She is a joy in the house, even ringing a bell to go outside.
I'd recommend a dog from Hillcrest anytime.
Submitted by: Joan Rizkallah on Dec 23, 2015
Jim and his staff at Hillcrest kennels made a breeding possible with my English Setter female. After studying blood lines I knew that Nitro would be the perfect compliment to my Tekoa line female. Jim and Hillcrest kennels staff were incredibly professional and made the experience easy. We had a short window and Jim was able to accommodate our time frame. The paperwork was ready and the breeding took the first time. We have 9 happy healthy puppies that are all destine to be the best hunting and family dogs. We will defiantly use Hillcrest Kennels again. Thank you for the fantastic experience!
Submitted by: Shawn Stahl on Nov 24, 2015
Jim Norman produces some of the finest and top quality English Setters I have owned. I have been hunting with setters for over 30 years an Hillcrest Kennels has produced one of the best I have owned. The temperment and breeding that are in these dogs make them not only great dogs in the field but also great family dogs as well. Jim and his staff definitely produce high quality hunting dogs. If you are looking for a great hunting companion or a family companion, I highly recommend Hillcrest Kennels. Thanks Jim for making all my hunting trips satisfying and enjoyable.
Submitted by: Chad Lowry on Oct 08, 2015
I am on my second pup from Jim at Hillcrest Kennels. The first pup was a success from the start, with natural abilities. Currently I have a beautiful orange and white pup born May 1, 2015. He is fetching and well on his way being whoa broke. Jim is dedicated to his setters, and will be with you every step of the way, from day one. He will check in periodically to check the progress of your pup, because he honestly is wanting to breed the best of the best. I had no problem at all going with another setter from Hillcrest. His pups have a desire to please, and can be hunted in a variety of situations. Myself, I am strictly a foot hunter, and these dogs do wonderful. If you desire to do field competitions, Jim's dogs will do that as well, check out his success doing that format. Bottom line is Jim wants to continue to improve on the breed, that is the English Setter.
Submitted by: Jon Robinson on Oct 04, 2015
We recently got a great English Setter puppy Riley from Hillcrest
Kennel and we are totally happy with him. He is very smart and and
very interested in birds, so we think he will be a fine hunting dog.
But he is a lot more than that. He is a great house dog to live with.
For his age he is calm indoors, even though he is constantly looking
for birds outdoors. He is also a dog we are proud of when we take him
places. He is charming, sociable, and well-mannered with people he
meets. Everyone just adores him. Wherever he goes, he gets an instant
fan club. He is also a sturdy, good-looking pup that will mature into
an exceptionally handsome dog. He has been totally healthy with no
issues of any kind. Jim was completely honest about Riley and wanted
to make sure we were getting exactly the kind of pup we wanted. He
knows his dogs very well and cares a lot about them. He is a very
knowledgeable, smart dog man, the kind of guy you could talk to all
day about dogs and learn a lot. Absolutely the highest recommendation
for Jim and his Setters.
Submitted by: Ann Murray on Sep 30, 2015
This is our second English Setter from Hillcrest Kennel. Excellent dogs bred for the hunt. Natural instincts and wonderful temperament. Great hunting dogs and great pets.
Submitted by: Frank Rusch on Sep 29, 2015
Our, dog, Kalani Laki Wahine (Laki) is incredible. Only 5 months old and she is well on her way to becoming a well-trained, kind and fun companion and work dog. We recommend working with Hillcrest if given the chance. Jim Norman is a top-rate breeder!
Submitted by: Sandra Harsted on Sep 27, 2015
Our dog Turbo is not only gorgeous but also a natural in the field! We are very pleased with the dog & would highly recommend Hillcrest Kennel.
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