About Rock Llewellin Setters

Rick Rock was raised on a farm and ranch in the rural Northeastern Oregon, where he was an avid bird hunter. He got his love of the sport from his Englishman grandfather, who used to manage game on old estates before moving to the US. The first dog of many that Rick hunted behind was a registered German Shorthaired bitch, called Sallee, who found his very first bird. Among many field outings behind his friends' upland dogs, Rick later hunted with his own Black Labrador, Joe, and his brother's German Shorthaired/Lab cross, Ben. He was a country boy and could often be found riding his horse or kicking the brush with one of his dogs, gun in hand. Hunting was one of Rick's favorite pastimes as he was growing up.

During his young adult life, when he was establishing his family and electrical contracting career, Rick found that he still enjoyed hunting but missed being behind his own bird dog. In his early thirties, Rick and his wife, Jan, decided that they and their children, Tyler, Chelsea, and Logan, were ready for a dog. Rick set out to find the "biggest and baddest" bird dog that he could and bought a champion-full lined German Wirehaired Pointer, Rock's Rusty Gun. Rusty was an incredible bird dog, impressive and intense. He helped carry on the Rock's family tradition of hunting to Rick's children. When Rusty was three years old, though, there was an unfortunate accident, for which he had to be euthanized. It was a heavy blow for the family.

A couple of weeks passed, and the absence of a dog felt unbearable. There had to be a "replacement." When the Rocks brought Jake (Rocco's Gallantries) home, they knew that they had found a breed that encompassed everything that they wanted- class, gentleness, athleticism, intelligence, gracefulness, biddability, and most importantly, excellent hunting ability. Jake changed the way the Rocks cared for their animals, or rather, Rusty's untimely death caused the change, and Jake received all of the benefits of it. Rusty deserves full credit for every "Rock Llewellin Setters."

Jake was the first Llew of the newest division of Rock Inc. The Rocks decided to start a small breeding business, not to make money but, rather, to give more people in their area the chance to hunt with quality Llewellin Setters. The breed is quite rare in the Northwest, and shipping from across the country can be costly. The Rocks breed with the goal in mind of maintaining and improving the Llewellins' hunting ability, temperament, conformation, and health to the Rocks' preferences. The breeding program, puppy rearing, much of the training, and most of the other aspects of the business are managed by owner Rick's daughter, Chelsea. Rock Llewellin Setters is the beginning of one of her lifelong endeavors, and she plans to be breeding and hunting Llews for decades to come.

The Rocks' dogs have been bred and trained for the field and are beloved members of the family. They excel in bird hunting and are taken out as often as life allows. At Rock Llewellin Setters, each hunting season brings on new and memorable adventures.

To read about the breeding goals of Rock Llewellin Setters, please click here.