Started Grouse Hunting Pups from Northwind English Setters

Started Pups Overview and Pricing

Our started/trained pups, aged 7 to 8 months, are available starting at $4,500. Each pup has been carefully trained and conditioned to become a skilled hunting partner, with exposure to the e-collar, gunfire, and the unique challenges of the grouse woods. Through experience in navigating dense cover and learning to work with less scent, they’re prepared to work closely with their new owner.

Health Guarantee

Each started pup comes with a health guarantee, including coverage for congenital eye or hearing defects for up to 24 months and assurance of passing their OFA hip exam (scoring fair,
good, or excellent) by 24 months. Additionally, every pup undergoes a veterinary inspection and receives a health certificate before leaving our facility, ensuring they’re in optimal health.

Reserving Your Pup

A $500 deposit is required to reserve a started pup.

Pups at 8 Weeks

When pups reach 8 weeks of age, those leaving with their owners for two months will require the final payment of $2,000 (plus Wisconsin state tax), with the $500 deposit deducted from the total $2,500 price. You can choose between a male or female pup, and Ann’s expertise helps match each pup to the ideal owner. Ann takes time to understand each future owner’s needs and preferences, ensuring a good match for the pup’s future life. At this time, Ann will also review care instructions, discuss future training, and sign a training agreement.

If a pup is not picked up at 8 weeks, owners will need to cover the costs of extended care, food and any vaccinations required.

Bringing Your Pup Home

We encourage owners to spend the first two months acclimating to the pup, focusing on socialization, crate training, and adjusting to the new home. Ann provides detailed instructions
on what should and should not be done with the pup during this time. For example, all bird work and gun breaking will be done at Ann’s training facility in the grouse woods. Proper imprinting to work with minimal scent requires careful setup, which differs from training typical U.S. hunting dogs.

If a pup remains with Ann at the kennel past 8 weeks, additional charges will apply due to care requirements and multiple vet visits for vaccinations.

Pups Returning to the Kennel for Training

At 18 weeks, the pups that went to the owners for two months will return to the kennel for training in the grouse woods. At this point, all vaccinations must be up-to-date, and the pup should return with tick and heartworm preventive medication, as well as a rabies certificate.

This collaborative approach ensures you bond with your pup and that it is well-prepared for future training.

Training Process

Our training emphasizes low-scent work to mirror the demands of grouse hunting, where birds often leave faint trails. Pups learn to both wind and track scent, utilizing their strong genetics for scent work and developing a respect for subtle cues. They learn to calmly stalk into scent trails, tracking grouse and woodcock that run and avoid pressure. This training instills patience, precision, and responsiveness, equipping them for effective scent work alongside you.

With a background as a forester and grouse guide, Ann trains all pups as if they were future guide dogs. She focuses on a team approach, using European setters she imported, which
respond well to this distinct style of training. “I prefer to hunt quietly, stalk with my dogs, sneak up on the birds if possible, and read the cover and my dog as we shift together. Watching these dogs work scent, slink like a cat, and respect the scent they’re working with is unmatched.”

Gun Breaking

All gun-breaking is conducted at our training area, in the grouse woods, and around live birds. This approach helps each pup associate gunfire with birds, building their confidence in realistic hunting conditions. By training in natural environments, we prepare pups to handle the sights, sounds, and actions they’ll encounter in the field.

Training Wrap-Up

When training is complete, please set aside about three hours with us at our Dog Training Facilities for personalized handling instructions. We’ll demonstrate handling techniques and
review your pup’s progress in the woods. This session ensures you and your pup are aligned, creating consistency that strengthens their training. At pickup, be prepared to head to the woods and learn how to handle your pup’s style around birds and scent. Full payment is expected before leaving with your pup.

Additional Details

Breeding Rights: We retain breeding rights for any pup or dog that leaves our kennel.
Sales Policy: We reserve the right to withhold a sale if we feel the pup isn’t a suitable match for the prospective owner.

Started Pup Availability
Each spring, we develop a select number of pups specifically for grouse hunting, ready for the fall season. If you’re interested in securing one of these well-prepared pups, please contact us to discuss your needs and ensure you’re matched with the perfect hunting companion.

We look forward to helping you find your next hunting partner for the grouse woods!