Welcome to the home site of Gould Gun Dogs! My husband and I have enjoyed hunting in the great outdoors of Michigan nearly all our lives. Michigan habitat is conducive to many woodland and field game birds.

Years ago, as we searched for a choice bird dog, we fell in love with the Llewellin English Setter. The Llewellin is a superior pointer, descending directly from the longest existing breed of setters in the world – its Laverack base reaching as far back as the 1500s. The breed is named after a nineteenth century sportsman named R.L. Purcell Llewellin  whose strict breeding program produced  this very pure strain of setter we enjoy today. History shows that Llewellin’s dominated hunting competitions in the early years. They were so prominent that their blood was mingled with all other strains of English Setters that remained. Because of this, every English Setter alive today has some Llewellin blood in it. Consequently, painstaking efforts have been made to keep the Llewellin bloodline separate from all others, and, as a result, a registry was created known as the Field Dog Stud Book published by the American Field Publishing Company which was located in Chicago, IL. In 2022 the registry was transferred to the United Kennel Club, located in Kalamazoo, MI. Llewellin Setters must be DNA proven to be listed in this registry.

The pointer’s keen sense of smell and powerful desire to hunt are the most important factors in its breeding. In Michigan, they are a very desirable bird dog used to hunt Quail, Partridge, Chukar, Woodcock, and Pheasant. Today many setters are bred for show, coat colors, size, house pets, and so on. But our Llewellins are athletes, bred strictly for the hunt. They are close to mid-range hunters, and tend to back each other naturally. They are noble creatures of the field by day, and gentle cuddle buddies curled at your feet (or even in your lap) at night. They are intelligent, gentle with children, and make excellent house pets. We recommend you make them a house pet first, and your best hunting buddy next.

We will have just one or two very selective litters per year. The pups are born in our home and handled from day one, which instills good socialization. Our dogs come from excellent bloodlines and are guaranteed to hunt. Sires and dams are D.N.A certified, F.D.S.B. registered, and proven hunters (see our hunting gallery). Each pup will have had its 1st shots, dew claws removed, be de-wormed, and veterinary inspected.

All good hunting dogs have energy and stamina and require room to exercise.

If you are interested in one of our Llewellins, please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. If I’m out hunting on some beautiful Michigan day, then just leave me a message and I’ll get back to you.

Happy Hunting!
Tara Gould
Breeder

Max, owned by the Wayne Kerbelis family