Submitted by: Leonard J. Artigliere on Mar 30, 2013
Riley (born February 2012) just completed his first season in the field. I have had several Irish Setters, but never have I seen a more instinctive dog in the field and I have been hunting birds for 45 years . After his first week in the field (at 8 months old) he was locating birds. What was truly amazing was that Riley was pointing and holding to flush in the first week! Adjusting to the gun was a non-event. RIley found and held birds in open fields and in deep cover. His style on point is joy to see. Non-believers were convinced after the first hour in the field watching Riley work.
After a few weeks working pheasants, we tried him on quail and the results were the same: unbelievable. We then hunted him with older, experienced pointing dogs and he honored points of the other dogs. I wish I could say I had more to do with it, but mostly I just watched.
I also drove 3 ½ hours to just show Mr. Kluck the progress of his pup because I did not feel my phone calls, emails and photos could adequately depict what I was seeing. We met at a preserve in McClure, Pennsylvania for a hunt. The preserve owner had a full complement of field dogs that he raised and trained. After watching Riley work in the morning, he reserved a pup from L&L’s next litter.
I should also note that Mr. Kluck responded to all of my emails and phone calls when we had questions about training, diet, etc. He also drove the same 3 ½ hours from his place to meet us for the hunt.
I had the most enjoyable season in the field that I ever had. Riley secured us invitations to various clubs for hunts and some weekends we had choose where to go. He is a wonderful, friendly and affectionate dog and has quickly become part of the family. So now, I am counting the days until opening day. After what I saw in his first year, I can only imagine what he will do with a season under his belt.
I would be more than happy to talk to anyone about Riley. I will gladly share photos and a few videos from his first season and even phone numbers of some pretty tough critics who saw the pup work. I should also note that L&L is about 7 hours from my home and I never met Mr. Kluck until our hunt.
Submitted by: Barbara Grossett on Jul 28, 2012
Bill was very helpful and knowledgeable is pairing me with a puppy that is everything I was hoping she would be. She has a wonderful temperament, is outgoing, and energetic. Everyone who meets her loves her!