Urban Uplander's English Setters

01/01/2025

No better way to bring in the new year than with a Setter! Happy New Year 🎊💕

12/31/2024

🌟 What a year it’s been for Unice! 🌟

From her debut in the show ring to earning her NA Prize I in the field, this young bench English Setter has proven her versatility and drive. 💪 Whether it’s bird dog fields, Fast CAT, or Barn Hunt Unice has embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and grace.

Here’s to celebrating a full year of sporting achievements and the journey ahead! 🐾✨

12/31/2024

Thank you 💙 ... especially our delivery person! 🚚💕

12/25/2024

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from Urban Uplander English Setters! ✨🎄

This holiday, we’re celebrating the beauty, versatility, and heart of the English Setter. From the show ring to the field, and all the cuddles in between, our Setters remind us daily why this breed is so special.

Thank you to our friends, breeders, and the dog sport community for your support and encouragement throughout the year. Watching these amazing dogs shine in everything they do has been the greatest gift.

May your Christmas be filled with love, wagging tails, and the joy only a Setter can bring. Here’s to a holiday season that’s paws-itively perfect and a new year filled with exciting adventures! ❤️🐾

11/07/2024

Sometimes, we don't walk away with ribbons or that perfect win photo—but dog shows are so much more than that. They're weekends spent with friends, mentors, and beloved pups, all sharing a passion that brings us together. I’m beyond grateful for the memories we create and the love that fills these moments, no matter the outcome. Here’s to the people (and dogs) who make it all worthwhile! I love these bi***es... The dogs too!🤣😘

10/29/2024

My pumpkin!🎃

10/29/2024

Embracing every moment of the crisp fall days with my Setter by my side—making the most of the shortest but our favorite season!

10/24/2024

Rainy and gloomy cemetery walk 🪦

10/23/2024

I absolutely love this, and want to share some thoughts about what I’ve learned in my first year of showing in the AKC. Whether you're new to the show ring or a seasoned exhibitor, we all share the same goal: showcasing our dogs to the best of their abilities in a fair and respectful environment. Here are some ADDITIONAL thoughts and elaboration of key points made in the original post:

Respect the Ring: Always be aware of the judge's positioning and the flow of the ring. Keep an appropriate distance from other handlers and dogs to allow them space to shine and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Be Ready: Keep an eye on the class before yours so you're prepared to enter promptly when called. Have your armband visible and wear comfortable, professional attire that allows you to move CONFIDENTLY alongside your dog.

Handle Your Dog with Care: The spotlight is on our dogs, so ensure your handling is calm and considerate. Avoid harsh corrections that may negatively impact your dog's or others' performance.

Avoid Unsolicited Advice: While it's great to share knowledge, giving advice to others in the ring can be in poor form. Many exhibitors have mentors guiding them, and offering feedback when it hasn’t been requested can feel intrusive and rude.

Congratulate Your Fellow Exhibitors: Whether it's a big win or a tough loss, it's important to congratulate others and maintain good sportsmanship. We're all here for the love of our breeds and dogs, and celebrating each other's successes makes the community stronger.

Leave the Drama Outside: The ring is for showing dogs, not personal disputes. Let's keep the atmosphere positive and supportive. If issues arise, handle them with grace away from the competition area.

This first year in the ring has been a huge learning experience, and I’m grateful for all the support and tips I’ve received along the way from the amazing crew in my corner. Let’s continue to build a community where we respect each other and keep the focus on our dogs.

Drop your thoughts below! What are some other tips you’d add for maintaining good ring etiquette?

Just a few important to things to keep in mind when in the ring 🥰

10/02/2024

A couple of our win photos from the weekend! Again, I cannot thank everyone enough for a truly special first National specialty! Huge thank you to Unice's breeder, Mary K Iverson, as well as Morgan Iverson and Eileen Hackett for continuing to make me a better handler!
Monimar's Double U CGC TKN FITB RATN NAVHDA-P1

09/15/2024

What a weekend at the Lebanon Autumn Harvest cluster! The last two days wrapped up on such a high note, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible help of two new handlers, Phalen Wynne and Olivia Rader. Both were eager to step into the ring for the first time, and they absolutely crushed it! Phalen handled Goose on Saturday, and Olivia took the reins today – both did an extraordinary job working with Goose, especially considering how tough it can be handling a young, inexperienced dog. Goose held her own beautifully, and I’m so proud of them all!

Unice had a fantastic weekend as well, winning her class both days and taking Winner's Bitch and Best of Opposite. It was so rewarding to see her shine, especially against such a gorgeous orange Setters.

The best part of this weekend was reconnecting with so many friends and making new ones along the way. Now it's time to gear up for the ESAA CLUB National Specialty at the end of the month—so excited for what's ahead!

09/13/2024

That's a point! ☝🏾

09/06/2024

Unice earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title in May! 🏅 This achievement reflects her solid temperament and training. But what exactly is the CGC?

The CGC is a nationally recognized title through the American Kennel Club (AKC), designed to reward dogs with good manners both at home and out in the community. It’s not just about obedience – it’s about trust, respect, and strong communication between dog and handler. To earn this title, Unice demonstrated skills like calmly greeting people and other dogs, walking politely on a leash, and responding to commands in various settings.

This accomplishment speaks volumes about Unice's well-rounded personality and her adaptability, whether she's in the show ring or simply out on a walk. It also highlights her natural ability to focus and thrive in different environments.

We're incredibly proud of our versatile girl, and this is just one of the many steps in her journey! 💖

09/05/2024

Meet Jasper!

Jasper, a remarkable field English Setter, has excelled in various canine sports. This year, he earned his versatile English Setter One title through the English Setter Association of American. Jasper participates in dock diving, Fast CAT, Barn Hunt, AKC Fetch, hunt tests, and field trials. As a master jumper in dock diving, his personal best is 21 feet. Jasper, a rat-finding machine, needs one more leg for his senior title in Barn Hunt. In 2023, he was the second-fastest English Setter in Fast CAT, qualifying for the 2024 invitational. This year, he is currently the third-fastest ES. Jasper's Junior Hunter title in AKC Hunt Test, points in AKC Field Trials and Prize Two in NAVHDA International highlight his hunting skills, and we will continue advancing in the hunting realm. Fun-loving and exuberant, Jasper's enthusiasm and versatility make him a joy to our family and spring crew!

Bred by: Waymon Hubbard

09/03/2024

Lately I've been seeing a lot of new handlers and exhibitors leaving sports shortly after they enter them and I'm sure this is for a number of reasons. However, the harsh criticism of others when first beginning in a sport in my opinion is probably the number one culprit of new contenders not wanting to continue forward in sports that they would probably highly enjoy.

Quick story:
It was a long-awaited weekend for me and my English Setter as we embarked on our first hunt test contest. The double hunt test format, with its four rigorous tests, was our chance to earn a Junior Hunter title and mark our entry into the world of hunting sports.

I had prepared tirelessly for this moment. A few years prior, I had visited the group I was now competing with, soaking in knowledge about hunting breeds and sports. Finally, getting to participate felt like a full-circle achievement.

When the moment arrived, I was thrilled. But as I released my 8-month-old pup into the field, my excitement faltered. Instead of pointing and locating birds, she was running wild and scattering them. It wasn’t the performance we’d worked toward, and we didn’t pass the first test. The judge's feedback was stark: pack up and go home.

The sting of that advice hit hard. After the long drive and all our preparation, it was crushing. I retreated to my car, overwhelmed and in tears. Yet, the judge’s words were a harsh lesson that made me question the joy of this new venture.

After some reflection and support from fellow competitors, I chose to stay. We continued with the next three tests, and my dog and I found our rhythm, passing each one with enthusiasm and success. This experience underscored a vital lesson: the journey in sports—and life—is about keeping the excitement alive.

The weekend’s trials showed me that getting started is not just about performance but about enjoyment and persistence. The real goal is to keep the process enjoyable and engaging. It’s about sparking the desire to continue trying, learning, and growing. Just as with a young dog learning to hunt, the initial excitement and eagerness to engage are crucial.

Instead of letting setbacks stifle enthusiasm, embracing them as part of the journey can be more fulfilling. The key is to find joy in the experience itself, nurturing a love for the sport and the bond with your dog. This approach ensures that the passion for the activity remains strong, making the pursuit of excellence an exciting part of the journey. It's crazy to think that I almost stopped as soon as I started. I can't imagine where I'd be today if I had not continued to push forward that one weekend.