Advice on Irish Setters?

OK, I am biased towards the breed and haven't got a bad word to say about them as I have 3 of them:).

Firstly, they are full of energy, and love to run. They are gundogs after all. An off lead run is far preferable to an on lead trot, so training a good recall is essential, but easily done. Contrary to popular belief they aren't always daft or flighty, I find them very easy to train.

Secondly there's a distinct difference between the show lines and the working lines. The show dog is taller, with longer feathering on the coat and the ears can be lower on the head. Lovely looking but can be more prone to hip dysplasia and ear problems. And of course matting if you don't keep up a good grooming schedule on the coat.

The working lines are very common in Ireland, they are smaller, and can be stockier built, the ears aren't quite as low and you won't get the full long setter coat that the show dogs can grow. There's also more of a chance of white markings through the coat - not a fault, but the Irish or Red Setter originally descended from the Red and White Setter. The full coated reds were deemed better for camouflage in the field, so they were deliberately bred as a separate strain but you'll sometimes find a throwback to the original lines. White dots on the chest are common, and some dogs have a prominent white chest, along with white markings on the nose, and even the paws.

2 out of my 3 did live with cats before they came to me, our eldest as a puppy came from a breeder with cats. Our rescue boy came from a rescue that had cats and my younger boy was given to me to be rehomed but we kept him so I'm not certain if he ever did. However, these days, thanks to being teased mercilessly by neighbouring cats who sit tantalizingly out of reach, they all dislike cats that stray onto their territory! It's not possible for us to have a cat so I can't say for certain but with the majority of breeds it is down to training and socialisation.

As far as breeders go, you'll need to see whether you want a working line dog or a show dog. What you will find is, most of the working dogs are bred outdoors, so you'll need to find a breeder that socialises their dogs indoors and with all sorts of people including children. My rescue boy used to bark at children a lot, he's got much better but still has his moments, particularly if they run towards him. But he can be quite vocal and territorial even with some adults that come into his house. We have a 17 month old daughter who he adores though, he was the dog we were most worried about when we had the baby but he's by far the most attached to her.

My friend has the show type one and I've never seen another setter as big and fancy as him lol! He's very very cleaver which is waste because they'd never dream of training him - not that's he's crazy just that I do lots of training with my two and anything I've taught him he caught on quick so there's wasted potential imo. He can be quite aloof at times - like when my friends visit every few months my retrievers are delighted to see them will race across the park to see them - Reb on the other hand mightn't even acknowledge them or me - unless he wants a treat off me lol! He can be bold as brass but he's very very gentle and sensitive. He loves to run around and stretch his legs. He's a robber too - among other things he once pulled a pizza off the counter and ate it just leaving a perfect circle of crust lol! He does have a sensitive tummy and itchy skin/ears but I think that's down to diet more than anything else(!)

mistybluehills wrote: »

And I'm glad again you had a nice experience with a setter.
I think they're daft idiots. I don't believe in beating around the Bush. I find it hard to believe anybody could be offended by one person's opinion on this.
I do see that some people might like them, and good luck to them. Pet ownership is a good thing. But in the same way that I would not buy a Renault I accept there are many hap6py Renault drivers out there.

I'm offended at the complete generalisation of an entire breed. They are not daft idiots, far from it. They are one of the softest most gentle breeds of dog you'll ever meet. But I doubt you've met that many and are basing your opinion on hearsay or meeting one dog, probably hyper from lack of exercise.

You remind me of people like that councillor from Ashbourne, who had an "opinion" on RBs, yet had only met one under exercised akita who . had an owner who hadn't a clue how to train him. His opinion was so far off the mark that it went viral, over a million comments based on his ignorance. He had to go on tv and admit he was wrong, such was the level of vitriol he experienced. So yeah, everyone can have an opinion but don't expect not to be called out on it, or people not to take offence.

mistybluehills wrote: »

Folks, I haven't liked the setters I've met, and I've met a few, a good few.
That's not to say that there not a dog that might suit some people or that people might like.
I'm genuinely pleased people have had positive experiences with setters,
But I would not be doing the OP any favours if I didn't relay my experience (just mine) and view ( just my own) that they are daft and silly.
Again, no intention to offend any setter lovers, or Renault drivers!

But you didn't relay your experience! You put up 2 posts of insults of an entire breed and their owners and only in this last post you've stated you met a few dogs that you didn't like. I've met plenty of dogs I didn't like. Some for behavioural reasons, some for lack of training but I don't then go about disparaging the entire breed and their owners in the interests of "not doing the OP any favours".

Years ago I was given a number for a fella by a man from the gun dog club. I've long since lost the number as I decided to go for a smaller breed instead. The man's name is Marc though and he's Belgian. He field trials his show type setters. I don't recall where in the country he is located as I was willing to travel anywhere in Ireland. This information might be of some help to you or it might not. Some of the breed clubs may be able to identify him from this info.

Growning up I had a "working collie" but I think he was actually a collie crossed with a setter. Incredibly gentle and sweet dog, with a beautiful feathery tail. I think it was the setter in him that was the gentle soul. He study with me through him, junior leaving and college exams!

I probably meet & see more Irish Setters then most people on this thread. I am an FCI Group 7 judge & will be judging them later this year.

They are a lovely breed, very pleasant, gentle, lively & beautiful. I don't find them daft at all. They are are an active working breed & contary to popular belief, there are Show Setters that also work. My friends top winning bitch has just also completed her working qualification. I think cats were mentioned. Another breeder I know also keeps pedigree cats with no issues.

As already mentioned there are differences between show lines & working Setters. At shows however you will often see working Setters shown at the same time.

Maybe go along to one of the major IKC shows & you can meet some dogs & owners after they are finished showing.

They at late maturing, take a LOT of training, and are quite silly and headstrong untill 3 or 4.
They will run all day, collapse at the fire iin the evening, and do it all again the next day.
The one I had would easily run ten miles a day, when cutting silage he would race the tractor out from the yard to the fields, hunt the hedges till the trailer was filled and then race you back to the yard. Twenty to thirty times in a row. They require serious commitment. Lovely dogs and very loyal. Definitely not a lap dog..

My lad came from the Pound as well. Didn't like gunshots, which was probably why he was in the Pound to begin with.

I have a springer/Irish setter cross, she is anything but daft. When focused she can probably do anything she is taught. There are a couple of pure breeds that do be up in DSPCA doggy day care time to time and they are beautiful. All seem very relaxed. I wouldn't recommend them to everyone though as they need plenty of exercise and are quite sensitive. I wouldn't lock one out the back and leave it there for example. Mine does not like cats but then again she wasn't raised with them. If brought up from pup and socialised I am sure they could get on (possibly).

borderlinemeath wrote:

the scream is specifically for the walk start.

That is nothing, when mine gets in the car I get to listen to that for as long as the journey along with a number of different sounds. When I collect her from daycare she goes twice as loud going out the door, everyone looks like I am torturing her, she is just so excited to get out for a run.