October Setters

October Setters focuses on understanding and applying knowledge of genetic, innate talents to produce ideal hunting partners. They emphasize early development, bird-finding and handling skills, and sound conformation for athleticism and endurance, while preserving the Ryman-type English setter’s personality and looks and minimizing health problems.

They evaluate potential breeding dogs by exposing them to wild birds at a young age to observe their instincts, using only the “come” command to assess inherent abilities without training influence. Their setters learn to handle birds early with minimal training, retrieve naturally, and adapt their range based on cover, hunting in partnership with the owner.

Puppies are whelped in the house and handled daily for natural socialization. The business selects breeding dogs from litters with consistently high normal hip ratings, aiming to group hip ratings around Good and Excellent to reduce dysplasia. Since 2002, 416 dogs from their litters have had OFA evaluations, with 400 normal, 12 dysplastic, and 4 borderline results.

Pricing Summary

Puppies require a $500 deposit, with an additional $2000 plus Idaho sales tax due at pickup or delivery. A $500 refund is provided to owners who have their puppy’s hips x-rayed for OFA preliminary evaluation at six months.

Policies

Dogs produced by October Setters are guaranteed against hip dysplasia and other genetic or congenital health problems. Owners are required to have puppies’ hips x-rayed at six months for OFA preliminary evaluation, for which a $500 refund is provided to help cover costs.

October Setters, run by Cliff and Lisa Weisse, are breeders of Ryman-type English Setters, specifically bred for hunting. Their primary focus is on producing dogs with innate talents for finding, pointing, and retrieving birds, emphasizing early development, bird-finding and handling skills, and sound conformation for athleticism and endurance. They also prioritize preserving the classic personality and looks of Ryman-type English setters while minimizing health problems.

The business evaluates potential breeding dogs by exposing them to wild birds at a young age to observe their natural instincts and development. Their philosophy centers on breeding dogs that instinctively learn and train themselves with minimal intervention, adapting their hunting range and working in partnership with the hunter.

Their kennel facilities include a heated building with indoor runs and a fenced exercise yard. Puppies are whelped in the house and handled daily to ensure they are naturally socialized and prepared for basic obedience training. October Setters implements an aggressive program to reduce hip dysplasia, requiring OFA preliminary evaluations for all puppies sold and guaranteeing against hip dysplasia and other genetic or congenital health problems. While they do not offer dog training services to the public, their content provides insights into the natural abilities and early development of hunting dogs, which can be relevant for dog owners interested in the breed’s inherent traits.

Accomplishments

October Setters began breeding Ryman-type setters in 1993. They have implemented an aggressive program to lower the incidence of hip dysplasia, achieving a rate of less than 3% dysplastic pups out of 378 submitted to the OFA as of October 1, 2023.

From 2002-2024, out of 416 dogs with preliminary or final OFA evaluations, 400 were normal, 12 dysplastic, and 4 borderline. Their foundation female, October Mountain Holly, and 13 of her siblings were x-rayed with no dysplasia, identifying her lineage as exceptional for hips.

How to Get Started!

To reserve a puppy, a $500 deposit is required. Selections are made by purchasers in the order deposits are received. Interested individuals can call or contact October Setters via email for questions or to reserve a pup.