I started my involvement with Setters when I had an Irish setter just after getting married, her breeding being mainly the famous Wendover lines. In 1979 I registered my affix, LAURELHACH, purchased another Irish and started showing, albeit very lightly. It was at Windsor Gundog Open Show that I saw my first Gordon Setter and was well and truly hooked and fell in love with the beauty of the breed.
So a Gordon bitch from the Carek lines joined the household and this is when my interest in breeding and showing really began. Eventually I had a male Gordon who was mated to a bitch called Tanosca Missleton, from this mating I had a bitch puppy who was registered as Wysett Mustique By Laurelhach and it is she who is behind my current Gordons today. Although I only keep a small number of Gordon's, which generally only have 1 to 2 litters each, I have bred three direct line Show Champion bitches as well as CC and RCC winners for other owners. In 2002 I had the pleasure to campaign the first overseas owned and bred Gordon to his title, the following year showing him to Top Gordon Setter 2003.
All my dogs live in the house as part of the family and puppies are reared in a home environment and are well socialized with a view to becoming life long family companions.
I first gave CCs in the breed in 1995, followed in 2000, again in 2002 and then had the pleasure to award them at the GSA Championship Show in 2005. In April 2006 I judged the breed at the Gordon Setter Club of NSW in Australia, Sydney and was warmly welcomed by the exhibitors who presented such sound Gordons of all ages for me to appraise.
I feel strongly that you can never stop learning about the breed and should listen to all aspects and ideas from all over the world drawing on the information to keep the Gordon setter healthy and long living, be it for the show ring, working, obedience or any other activity fitting for the breed but mainly as life long companions. I cannot imagine life without this most noble of breeds who have such enthusiasm in everything they do.