I know they're not a traditional retriever, but does anyone have experience using them for dove and waterfowl? I know they've got a good reputation as family dogs. But I do have a non-hunting buddy with one who says it likes to escape and run for days (I assume searching their suburbs for quail...). I do very little upland hunting (quail hunt once or twice a year as invited), but a friend breeds Llewellyns, my wife likes the idea, and I'm debating it. We also recently lost the family pet. I dove hunt a lot and do some duck hunting. Concerned I might not work the dog enough, though.

Llewellyn Setters are English setters that can trace their blood line back to the man named Llewellyn who first started breeding them, setters in general are great upland bird dogs I own an ES and he also loves to escape and run his hairy butt off. You will never own a more lovable mutt than any kind of setter. but if you duck hunt IMHO get a lab. If you are on FB there's a Llew group you can check in with them
Like I said lovable

Yes, he's sitting on my lap

I have one, he is a great dog with the family. He has never run off, he doesn't need a leash to be walked around the neighborhood with other dogs around. He is a fantastic upland hunter, with a motor for days. All that being said, retrieving is not his strong point. Probably a training issue as a pup, but all in all he has been a great dog. I'm sure you know this, but you get what you pay for when it comes to natural hunting ability/instincts.

Funny thing. My friend with the red setters uses them for duck hunting. The unloaded and started to the pond. Beckett boogied.



They figured he would come back when he heard the shooting. He never did. They heard shooting at another pond after the hunt. They stopped by. Beckett was in the blind and had been retrieving for the group all morning.