Old Hemlock Setters: The Legacy of George Bird Evans

[@jamesritchie2167]

Just back from the 2019 Reunion. This is for real. These dogs are off the chart. They are truly the real deal. I so enjoyed meeting up with our OH Family. Yes it is a family. Incredible folks. Some drove 18 hours from Minnesota! Very, very special people. We live for our dogs. In word and deed. Incredibly today I took my OH MacLeod to my local OH WMA just to let him run. Well he found a Woodcock in an otherwise barren field! Pure Old Hemlock ! Rock hard point , so special! A joy to watch a timber doodle fly away! No gun just joy!

[@pointingdog7235]

❤

[@Kitiwake]

The Llewellyn i had and generally to the breed here in Ireland... They are primarily a snipe pointer. The instinct is also good and strong for woodcock. Basically they will begin to point any game you shoot over them.... And ignore what you don't.

[@jamesritchie2167]

Roger has done an incredible job. These dogs are unique and very, very special. Cannot describe just how much he has done to develop and preserve these incredibly precious dogs. Yes they are very special. Incredibly so. My OH boy is my life!

[@jamesritchie2167]

Oh Lord as I look at my OH MacLeod I see Briar! Brings tears to my eyes. These are simply the best dogs ever! He sleeps on my bed and his loving nature is incredible but afield simply stunning as a very young dog😊👍🏻

[@oldhemlock]

So glad you are enjoying OH MacLeod in your Life.

[@DobermannKeeper]

Such a inspiring story, the love and passion for the Old Hemlock Setters and the keepers who are willing to preserve is rare these days in the Big Dog World. The knowledge about the history of lines is so important also for the future. If it comes to dog breeding it is a work of art and there are a few people in every breed who are truly breeders in the broard sense of the word. Such a privilege it must feel to have learn so much from the Bird Evans Family and to contain their heritage. Just love to watch and hear you all talk full with respect about the dogs and their founders. All goods for the future !

[@oldhemlock]

Thank you for kind remarks.

[@pointingdog7235]

My Great Aunt said that once you have a Setter you always want one. I was 10 when we got our first Setter, I just turned 55 and I'm on my 7 or 8th Setter I'd have to think she was right. Funny thing is my previous Setter Reilly a big Orange Belton my 6th one out of Ryman blood I used to call him Ruff at times because he reminded me so much of Ruff who lived with the Evans' . I have several books by George Bird Evans I had gotten them from Kay Evans, I used to enjoy talking to her on the phone from time to time to order books, my big is regret not taking the time to drive out to meet her in person.

[@sirp2277]

Beautiful story. God bless ❤️

[@barryfernand7773]

Awesome presentation. TY

[@peshewa0529]

I own several of Mr Evans books but not his line of setters. My Great Grandmothers brother had several Ryman setters that he kept on my Great Grandmothers farm where he hunted pheasants and quail. On occasion he would hunt southern Ohio and Michigan for grouse and woodcock. He gave me my first setter at about the same time that my Mother purchased magazine subscriptions to Outdoor Life, Sportsafield and Field and Stream and I named him Tober after Corey Fords setter. Those days are gone but I will always remember and treasure them.

[@oldhemlock]

Thanks for your comments and memories..

[@oldhemlock]

Thank you to your kind remarks. There is nothing like a Ryman-type setter. Thanks for the nice memories shared.

[@jamesritchie2167]

There is only one way to understand GBE legacy. That is to be one of the few privileged to own one of his dogs! My pup McLeod is typical Simply the best! These dogs are the most loving, powerful, and incredible hunters! But also simply the most beautiful dogs ever!

[@bordercollie1140]

Nice story.

[@pointingdog7235]

​@@oldhemlock❤

[@gregfolchetti2300]

I getting a blue belton ryman soon. I can’t wait

[@christeraxell3011]

There are not so many nice storys left to tell about breeders who really took it to that level. What makes it more intersting is that yet a serious mans choice to keep the standards up. I can only recall one other man who really gave his life for dogs and that was mr Arkwright from GB who raised a special line of the English pointer. For the last 25 years I’ve been training and hunting english pointers myself for pheasants, woodcocks, partridge and ptarmigans. Friends of mine have joined with different kind og setters both red, tanned and English ones. I have always had a temptation for a ”loveaffair” with a English setter bitch but have’nt really got there yet. In the summer of 2017 my last pointerbitch (Brace) passed. After I watched this film I understand that I want one from The old Hemlock lines. Absolutely wonderful dogs. The only problem is that I live in Sweden and I am a litle worried if you are selling dogs to be exported to Sweden? That is of course if I may purchase one from you? Please excuse my poor English as I am not fluent in your language.

[@jonparkes7006]

Christer Axell Gdaye Christopher, I hope you found another English setter. I love this breed, and have not know the Hemlock variety, but I do know the four I’ve known over the years in Australia, including my beloved Chester are just perfect for me. Good luck. JP

[@FOG_3]

I've been blessed to have found my perfect setter.....Sadie's a Llewellyn bred out of Hazard KY.......I googled llewellyn and sadie's picture came up.....Never seen a dog with the instinct to point & flush like her. Needed little to no training....good outa the wrapper...Love Her

[@andrewsdrmike]

I too have a Llewellin and can’t say enough about the breeds ability.

[@paddypower3760]

Just watched this from Ireland, lovely to see such passion going into the breeding of these great dogs

[@rramramirez9323]

What a wonderful story. Do you know if George Bird Evans had any offsprings and or family members also named George Evans that lived in San Antonio, TX. I had the pleasure of hunting and competing with George who's line of Setters were some of the best in the country. George was a very successful business man and most of all a great man and bird dog lover. I understand that he funded the building of the Pointing Dog Hall of Fame building. George loved my Brittanys and I his setters. He just loved a great bird dog and I was blessed with several great Brittanys. I know that George from San Antonio purchased and bred Setters from the N.E. as did another mutual bird dog friend the late Fred Adams. Please reply if there is any connection between the two. Thank you.

[@oldhemlock]

Sorry for the delay in responding. The TX George Evans was a different man and not related to George Bird Evans.

[@pointingdog7235]

George Bird Evans and Kay didn't have any children. I have to say that maybe the ability to breed top-notch dogs has something to do with their names. Regardless I think that George was an only child and I don't remember if Kay had any siblings. Maybe their last name is Evans and decided to name their son after George.

[@johncritch6812]

My father had blue beltons but he always said his best dog was a German short haired pointer. In truth some dogs just have it George knew this. I have a GSP now that is excellent on Ptarmigan lures blk ducks and retrieves them catches rabbits and finds moose no training she just had it.

[@FITZIEBLUE]

love the collar bell; you know when the dog has stopped and found a bird and that those hunters use the whistle to call an redirect the dogs. But I don't understand why a well bred and well trained dog needs a 'shock/reminder' device or a locator. Those devices don't really set well with the Old Hemlock ethos of 'beauty bred to hunt'.

[@richardfisher9252]

I never had to put my setter on a leash.

[@richardfisher9252]

Sure do miss her

[@domenicolazzaro8641]

Se non avessero il pelo lungo sarebbero buoni POINTER.LA FERMA IN STAZIONE ERETTA È TIPICA DEL POINTER.

[@pointingdog7235]

I've used a collar on my Setters for the simple reason that all I have to do is use the collar's tone and never had to shock a Setter.