I live a considerable distance from your kennel. What is the process if I’m interested in purchasing a DeCoverly Setter?

We have customers in every state of the country and in South America and Europe. For domestic customers interested in a puppy or an older untrained dog, one of the best ways we can communicate is through digital pictures via email. Once you’ve chosen a dog, we can ship to any major airport in the U.S. for between $175 and $350, plus $150 for a health certificate, crate, and airport delivery. For started dogs, we require prospective owners to come and see the dog work so as to ensure that the dog and level of training is exactly what you’re interested in.

At what age can I start shooting over my DeCoverly Setter?

Each individual dog is different and some may be ready sooner or later than this average. The average DeCoverly Setter is ready to be shot over at the age of one year. Please use caution when introducing the gun as gun-shyness is completely manmade and very difficult to cure. We are always available to help walk you through the process.

Is it okay to start my hunt training using pheasants?

We caution against using pheasants during your dogs first year of hunt training. At this point you are trying to enforce and encourage your dog to be steady when pointing game. Pheasants have a tendency to run, and this can be very confusing to a young dog. For these same reasons we recommend only shooting over solid points during the first year to further encourage this behavior.

Is there any difference in males and females in terms of hunting ability or temperament?

We see and experience no difference between the sexes in terms of hunting ability, ease of training, intelligence, or temperament. We also see absolutely no difference in terms of color.

Do you have a trainer in my area that you would recommend?

We do have some trainers throughout the country that we have evaluated and can recommend. Please contact us to see if there is someone near your location.

Can you provide me with any references?

We have many references within our family of owners that would be happy to share their experiences with you. Please contact us via phone or email and we can provide their names and contact information.

What is the life expectancy of a DeCoverly Setter?

Our setters average life is 10-13 years, which is common for this size dog.

Do you restrict customers from breeding a dog you’ve sold or require a dog to be spayed/neutered?

We do not restrict breeding, nor do we require dogs to be spayed or neutered. We do, however, restrict the ability of anyone to register the offspring of such bred dogs under the DeCoverly name. Although many people are tempted to breed their companions in hopes of reproducing the qualities they appreciate, their best chance of getting another dog with these same qualities is directly from us.

Do you ever provide a stud service to outside dogs?

We do provide a stud service to approved outside dogs. We need to see the female and her health clearances, as well as evaluate her conformation, field ability, and personality. Our normal fee for this is either the 2nd and 3rd picks of the litter or the price of two of our puppies.

When are you expecting your next litter?

We are a large kennel and run an extensive breeding program. We typically have puppies available throughout the year, depending on your preferences in terms of sex and color.

Are there any issues in buying an older, untrained dog from DeCoverly?

From time to time we do have older, untrained dogs for sale. They can range anywhere from 5 month old puppies to adolescents over one year old. There are several advantages to buying such a dog. They are typically easier to housebreak than a puppy because they have more reliable bladders. You are also able to see more of the dog’s personality and conformation than when they are a young puppy. The biggest concern most owners have is how well the dog will bond with them and integrate into their new home. Because of our extensive socialization program and the temperament we are breeding for, this is not an issue (nor would we sell a dog where this could cause a problem).

Will keeping my dog in the house hamper his hunting potential?

Not at all, in fact we believe the exact opposite is true and only sell our dogs into homes where they will be a part of the family. Having your dog as a member of the family creates and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. There is no effect on the dog’s scenting ability, and the relationship that is developed really benefits the dog’s development as a companion in the field.