An article in Time Magazine a few years back on pure breed dogs and the AKC listed the Irish Setter as the greatest tragedy of the "breeding to standards" mentality. They claimed that breading for physical standards had turned a great and capable hunting do into the biggest idiot of the dog world. I haven't seen an Irish in 10+ years the few I've met couldn't remember where their water dish was not to mention simple commands.

This is based on very limited experience, but just my 2 cents.

Spud