My wife and I got Emberly from Smyth River Irish Setters a little over a year ago, and she is incredible. Her temperament is incredibly docile, especially indoors, absolutely wonderful with any guest. She is intelligent, making training a breeze. She's also my first bird dog - on our first time out, she found four roosters within the hour, finding one bird twice (the old story, bird dog better than the hunter ). Really excited to finish out this season with her. Solid pointer retriever with an incredible nose for birds. She has been incredibly healthy, and is just an amazing, pocket sized setter - she weighs in under 45 lbs. Great energy, she'll outrun and outlast most other dogs in the field, while again having the best indoor demeanor. Based on my experience with Emberly, I can highly recommend Smyth River's Irish Setters! read more

See all

We had a dog of our dreams purchased 13.5 years ago. Ms Rose shipped her to us, no health issues other than old age read more

Smyth Irish Setters - Pets Near Me - Oconto, Wisconsin

We have had 4 Irish Setters from Roselle since 1998. Not one has had any health or personality issues. They have all been absolutely beautiful, loving dogs. Our first lived 12 years, our second got Lyme's disease and passed at 3 years, and our third just passed away last night from natural causes at 11 years. Our fourth is still out hunting every day and is very healthy for her age of 11 years. I would buy another puppy from Roselle in a heartbeat. I have been to Roselle's home several times to pick up our puppies. This is NO ugly puppy mill. These puppies are happy outside with nice shelters. They are not in mud-filled pens. They have an acre of grass to play and explore. If you want to ruin an Irish Setter, keep it in a kennel all day. They are meant to run and hunt. Roselle interacts with them every day. All our dogs were perfectly socialized. Roselle has very good reasons to meet people at a neutral location. If you want a big indoor kennel puppy then do that. Roselle will give you a well-bred, beautiful, great hunter who is a very loving pet. read more

Crooks. Sold me a purebred golden retriever which turned out to be an Irish setter. Said she had papers but didn't produce. Obviously inbred. Multiple medical issues and very hyper. Stay away. read more

We were referred to Smyth Irish Setters by several other Irish Setter breeders around the country when we were looking specifically for a hunting Irish Setter. My husband flew to Wisconsin and met Rose to pick up the 8 week old puppy. Our boy is 4 months old now. He is incredibly sweet and wants to be a lap dog. He is friendly with everyone he meets and makes everyone feel like his buddy. He has been very easy to train. He listens well and you can tell he is so eager to please. The vet adores our dog and says he doesn't get enough dogs like him. He is very healthy and growing well. Also, he has a calm disposition and was easy to crate train. He was basically potty-trained when he came to us as Rose had said the puppies grew up together in a walk-in dog house and hadn't had an accident in there since 5 weeks old. Now that I see how well our pup has done with potty-training, I can believe this to be true! We are so thankful to Rose for breeding these beautiful puppies. We wouldn't hesitate to get another puppy from her or to refer her to anyone looking for an Irish Setter. read more

Smyth Irish Setters - Pets Near Me - Oconto, Wisconsin

We picked up Twizzler our Irish Setter puppy from Roselle on February 9th 2019. We talked on the phone a lot before we went to pick him up, she answered any and all questions I asked about her dogs. Was very blunt but very knowledgeable when I spoke with her. She also sent me lots of pictures the week before we went to pick up our baby boy. She was always really good about keeping me updated. And I felt terrible when she had tried calling us but we had no service, to let us know she was going to be an hour late due to the weather. And Twizzler is and was a very happy healthy puppy! I am super happy with our new family member and would definitely get another puppy from her! read more

See all

This is a tough one. If I could give a neutral rating like 2.5 stars, I would. My gf and I purchased a puppy from this business under less than ideal circumstances. I responded to a local ad and spoke to a lady who called herself "Katherine" - she was extremely vague on where she was located and refused to allow us to visit her location. We ended up meeting at a neutral location where we were only able to see the pup's mother through the front of a crate. The lady wouldn't let her out due to safety reasons. In asking her several questions, we never got a straight answer (litter size, location, health guarantee etc). We ended paying cash for the puppy who looked healthy and alert, albeit extremely filthy. We were told she was raised outdoors as all dogs should be...the whole transaction seemed illicit, almost what I imagine a drug deal to be. In this day and age of the internet there is no hiding, and I've since figured out who this person is (Roselle Smyth) and her approximate location. I'm not sure why she is paranoid, but if your a legit breeder which I believe she is, why all the smoke and mirrors? I get she is old school - believes in outdoor hunting dogs, and is especially known for an excellent breeding line of Irish Setters. She also has run a team of Irish Setters as sled dogs which is obviously unique, and has an eccentric reputation amongst some in the sled dogging community. If one does a Goggle search of Smyth Irish Setters you can read various feedback regarding this business neither that I can confirm or deny (some of accusations are horrible). Three weeks later our puppy is healthy and happy and well adjusted as a spoiled indoor dog. She has been to a vet and checks out fine medically. read more

See all

I've purchased my pup from Rose Smyth in March 2016. I was so scared to have him shipped on the plane without seeing him before and also sending money using money gram!!! But it was the best thing I've ever done! He came with all vaccine papers and health certificate. Rose was very great in communication, answered all my emails! She sent a lot of photos and videos of my pup! My boy is almost three years old! It took him 2-3 days for potty training! He has great temperament! He's so loving and caring! Such a cuddler! He loves car rides, has no issues at all! He loves bath!!! He lets me clean his ears and teeth, trim his nails and give him haircuts :) I receive so many compliments every time I take him outside:))) He's so easy with food, eats everything! I do follow Rose's advice of avoiding wheat, corn and soy! I highly recommend Rose and will buy another pup from her once my boy gets a bit older. read more

See all

My wife and I got our girl Marigold back in July, and while she has been a handful, she has also been an excellent dogs so far. Rose was not the best with communication, but I personally just think she doesn't have the time or technological capabilities to take care of all aspects of the business. Let me warn you, at least for us it was a first come first serve basis in terms of getting the pups! So we made a last minute unplanned trip to get our pup. It looks like it very well could just be her and her dogs, so she is basically running the operation herself. She did meet us in the U.P and did not want to meet at her place but based on the research I did, people have tried to make a bad name for her, so I can get it. Health wise, our girl has an excellent bill of health, has all her shots AND Rose did give us some copies of the genealogy from both parents in addition to the record from their first set of shots. I have zero complaints about the pup, only about the circumstances surrounding getting her. read more

We adopted our little Penny (a mini Irishdoodle) in October, and I was a little nervous as I've never had a puppy shipped before. She has been the best puppy... easily trained (learned to ring a bell by the door to go potty in less than 48 hrs), gets along wonderfully with our 4 yr old goldendoodle, and has just been the most loving, easy-going puppy ever! So thankful for Rose and her delightful pups! read more

Smyth Irish Setters - Penny and Buttercup... so happy together! - Pets Near Me - Oconto, Wisconsin

See all

I cannot say enough great things about Ms Rose. I was a nervous wreck getting our puppy since we live in Charleston, SC and she would be sent to us via plane. Ms Rose was a professional and answered all of my questions very quickly. She sent as many photos of the puppy we picked as I wanted - which was many. We will be purchasing our next baby from Ms Rose without a doubt. Our girl Finley is the sweetest and most playful little mini Irish-Doodle and I cannot tell you how how blessed we feel to have her as part of our family. read more

We have adopted our second dog from Roselle, and his name is Brooklyn! He is now one year old, and weighs 70 pounds and is still full of puppy energy :) The main issue with these dogs I have found is that they don't do well with food that contains chicken, which took us some time to figure out. But once we switched him to a chicken free formula he has done wonderfully. We get tons of compliments on how handsome he is, and of course he is super friendly to everyone that he meets! Someone has posted on here that their dog had a rare congenital brain malformation, but the dog did not come with pedigree papers. I have not purchased mini Irish doodles from this breeder; however both full-size doodles that I purchased came with full paperwork including vaccine records. read more

See all

We got a 16 week old puppy from Smyth. It's not social at all. Afraid to come indoors and doesn't know how to interact with people. She did so poorly on the drive here, the driver didn't want to deliver her and return her. Instead, we had the driver stop mid-trip at a vet urgent care to see if she was in a life threatening condition. The vet made her comfortable until she arrived here. I took her into our vet ASAP. Turns out she only had two of the three vaccines with too big of a gap between the second and now. So we have to pay for all three again. The breeder refused to reimburse us and claims "were being milked by our vet." And that they only need "one shot." In spite of her contract stating a guarantee for "vaccination to the standard." When the driver contacted the breeder about how poorly the puppy was doing on the trip (and I called), she basically expressed zero concern over the dog, complained were her check was in the mail, and berated the driver as not being a bright person. In spite of the driver doing this for 15 years. Our impression of the driver was they were caring professionals. Our vet said the puppy had a bad yeast ear infection. When I told the breeder, I shouldn't be, but was shocked that she knew. She knew and didn't take care of it on her end, shipped the dog like that, and didn't bother to let us know. This dog hasn't been handled at all that much. We feel like we have a rescue dog. The vet has put her on antidepressants, because she's doing so badly with the transition. The breeder keeps making excuses like "they're to fast" I can't catch them. That she's been doing this for 45 years and is old and can't keep up. That the puppy is basically kept outside on a acre pen without being socialized. Etc. I feel it's time for this breeder to retire. If she can't physically keep up to care for her dogs the way the deserve and need. It's not fair to them. It's not fair to a family who has to receive a dog like that. read more

Thank you so much for my beautiful Irish Setter puppy he is everything you said he would be I just love him to pieces he has settled in very well read more

Wanted to update my review posted earlier, we were so thrilled with our Smyth Irish Setter that we decided to purchase another little girl. She has been just as wonderful as our older girl. Smart, beautiful, and healthy with an incredibly sweet disposition. Rose selected both of these dogs for us and we have been beyond happy! They have been wonderful additions to our family! I love the photo posted with another review that shows the Irish Setter Christmas photo. He looks so much like our two! Such sweet faces! read more

Smyth Irish Setters - 4th of July! They are not bothered by the loud noises. - Pets Near Me - Oconto, Wisconsin

Just purchased a 5 month old 1/2 Irish 1/2 golden. Sweetest little girl. Roselle was pleasant and seemed very knowledgable. In my opinion she raises hunting dogs and not so much pets. From what I could gather from our conversation the dogs live outside in a "free range" type of environment. Our new little girl was a little dusty and did have a tick. After a vet visit she had ear mites as well but everything else checked out great. Little girl was in a little culture shock when I introduced her to our home but is settling in rather nicely. She is very alert and curious and I have no doubt she is going to be a fantastic dog. Time will tell but overall I'm pleased with the new addition to the family. read more

I adopted an Irish Setter Minidoodle that had been bred at Smyth Irish Setters from a man who could no longer take care of him. He came with a generic contract, but no pedigree papers. I am writing this because I cannot find a definitive location for this breeder, and wanted others to know that my dog has a rare congenital brain malformation (his left parietal lobe is missing a portion) that causes grand mal seizures. He is finally controlled with medication ($$$/month), but I would not order a dog online as my pup's former owner had. Something seems amiss with the breeder, and my dog is certainly not healthy. Super cute and loving, but not healthy. read more

I first contacted Rose 8 years ago, but we bought a Golden Doodle instead. When we lost our Golden Doodle to liver cancer, I was ready for an Irish Doodle, but the hubby wanted an Irish Setter instead. I again contacted Rose and she said she would have a litter in a couple of weeks. So I waited. When I contacted her again for the address, she gave me a false address. When I questioned her, she said she would meet us. I explained that the husband wanted to pick out his puppy. She said if we wanted pick of the litter it would be an extra $300.00. When I told her forget it, her story changed, out of 6 boys there were only 5 boys left and all 4 females were gone, and by the time we get there probably only a couple of boys would be left. If all the girls were gone and only a few males left, why would we be charged $300 extra for pick of the litter? Then she told me that she didn't believe I was a honest down to earth dog buyer as I had too many phone numbers and addresses. I gave her 1 phone number and 1 address, she was the one that gave me a false address. If she wants people to believe she isn't a puppy mill, why wouldn't she let people visit her kennel and pick out their own puppy? Why does her story change? She might breed healthy dogs, but something is fishy!! read more

I got an older Irish doodle puppy (6 months) as she was a bit more blonde than red and this made it more difficult to sell. I drove up from Iowa and met the breeder and instantly fell in love with my pup. She potty trained in a matter of days and is very well-tempered. It's been 5 years now, she is my best friend and I absolutely love the breed. She is strong, healthy, and a little too smart for her own good! I would definitely recommend to anyone. read more

I would give 3.5 stars is a good rating a 4- 5 star rating would not be truthful as I did not buy my puppy directly from Smyth Irish Setter Kennels and have not met the owners or been on the property, but am very please with our new puppy that I've had for almost 2 months now. I bought an Irish Setter mix puppy from some one who purchased her directly from Smyth Irish Setters met the owners and was on the property-she unfortunately could not take care of her so put her up for sale. Her first owner did not have anything negative to say about the place. She said the owners helped her to pick out the best puppy for her. That was all. She is 4 months old and has a written health guarantee (which is not transferable to me the 2nd owner) and papers stating the names of her parents not A.K.C. I do know that a lot of hereditary defects/problems can show up at any point in a dogs life, with or without a health guarantee, and was fully aware of this when purchasing this puppy that she may develop certain things/or hopefully not. She is supposed to be an Irish Doodle but looks exactly like a Setter. Short straight hair. No signs that she is mixed. She is very health and happy and rather calm for a puppy. Vet gave her an A+ on health report as she has no problems to date. Just for wanting to know I'm having a DNA test done ($60) to see if she is purebred or mixed. I have talked to Smyth kennels personally about 8 yrs ago when I was looking to buy an Irish Setter puppy and the owners did tell me that all her dogs run as a pack together and are permitted to breed like that as well. She didn't give A.K.C. papers with the pups as she could not be sure exactly who the parents were. I was welcome to come there to pick out a pup, they all run together in a big yard. Only reason I didn't go back then, as it was a ten hour drive one way. Way too far at that time. I have read other reviews both good and bad, but as to my own opinion I have nothing negative to say at this time-I'm very happy with our new puppy and would consider buying another puppy from that kennel directly only if the kennel grounds and dogs were clean and cared for properly whether indoor or outdoor dogs, would have to go and see for myself what the place looks like. read more

I purchased a irish setter from Smyth's almost nine years ago, other than the large number of dogs she has at her place I have no complaints. My setter is the best hunting and family dog I have ever had and would purchase another when mine passes on. read more