Irish Setters:Are they any good?
#1

I have done a lot of studying on hunting dogs:reading books, talking to hunters, being a member at a local hunting dog club,... But I have not seen or even heard much about Irish Setters.They are beautiful dogs and call me a crazy but if I am going to have a dog, it is important for him to be an eye catcher, on the fild, on the beach or in the street. Irish Setters seem to serve all purposes.But I just havnt seen or heard of any hunter owning one. Are theyextinct as real field dogs? Or else?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Berea, Kentucky
Posts: 340

Hey Sean, WhatI have come across is, the actual irish setter, is more show than go. Now there are few breeders that are making some awsome gun dogs with the Red Setters. Charlie turner, Hard Times kennel Berea Ky, Tim Hammons, Silvercreek Red Setters Berea Ky, and Stan Zandewicks Zan Sett Kennel Muskego Wis. These are some Red Setters that I have personnally worked with, nice dogs very biddable. Biggest thing ya here is " how will I see in timber " 2in. blaze orange collar, spending time with dog and learning it. Very workable breed. temper reminds you of regular setter, classy run, high tail, loving atmosphere. Any dog --- you get out what you put in. Later Jonesy
#3
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 55

Have hunted Pheasants and guided Pheasant hunters for a good number of years. One of the best dogs I ever had was Gypsy, an Irish Setter / Lab cross. Wow. What a nose, a great retriver, and my my my, what a hunting spirit. She's been gone 20 years, but your question brought back some good memories. Thanks.
#4

ORIGINAL: tailcrackin
Hey Sean, WhatI have come across is, the actual irish setter, is more show than go. Now there are few breeders that are making some awsome gun dogs with the Red Setters. Charlie turner, Hard Times kennel Berea Ky, Tim Hammons, Silvercreek Red Setters Berea Ky, and Stan Zandewicks Zan Sett Kennel Muskego Wis. These are some Red Setters that I have personnally worked with, nice dogs very biddable. Jonesy
Hey Sean, WhatI have come across is, the actual irish setter, is more show than go. Now there are few breeders that are making some awsome gun dogs with the Red Setters. Charlie turner, Hard Times kennel Berea Ky, Tim Hammons, Silvercreek Red Setters Berea Ky, and Stan Zandewicks Zan Sett Kennel Muskego Wis. These are some Red Setters that I have personnally worked with, nice dogs very biddable. Jonesy

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#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 335

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
This is based on very limited experience, but just my 2 cents.
Spud
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: the Great Plains
Posts: 351

ORIGINAL: spuddog
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.
This is based on very limited experience, but just my 2 cents.
Spud
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.
This is based on very limited experience, but just my 2 cents.
Spud
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Berea, Kentucky
Posts: 340

Where the trajedy was is the crossing of show dogs into gun dogs. The show ring is sooooooo different than hunting. the upbringing ofa show dog, compared to a bird dog, is like two different signals, in the dogs mind. You stop and think about it, when have you ever seen a show dog at a akc hunt test, a that even got its tail up, or b, that looked like it was excited about finding a bird. Honestly, I have seen it in labs also, the cross is just not right, its like putting cadilac interior in a pinto, or a volkswagon, it is just not right, and they will argue, mostly women, or the men that dont' stand up for what they feel. You get a chance to go to a nbha walking trial, then go to a akc hunt test. you watch the show dogs in the akc test, and you see what makes you stand there and go " boy I like that dog" I will be suprized if its the show dog. No offense to the show people, totally my opinion, I just feel there is no need in mixing the races. My opinion, thanks Jonesy
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 335

Mike,
I think we are agreeing. What the article was saying is that overbreeding and breeding for looks, coat, conformation etc had diminished the original characteristics that were so desirable. Other examples are the Labs you mentioned and Standard Poodles that were origninally a retriever. In the case of the Irish setter the article argued that this had greatly diminished the overall intelligence of the breed. I think Irish setters were fairly popular in the 60's and 70's as pets because of their beautiful coats.
I agree that you need to be careful selecting a hunting dog and make sure that you look for the characteristics you want. Paying top $$ increases your chances of getting what you want.
By the way, I found the website of a guy in Texas who breeds Std Poodles for waterfowl. There are still a few that have the drive. I also know a guy who swears that his German Sheppard is the best retriever he's ever had and will beat any lab he's seen.
It's an uncertain world.
I think we are agreeing. What the article was saying is that overbreeding and breeding for looks, coat, conformation etc had diminished the original characteristics that were so desirable. Other examples are the Labs you mentioned and Standard Poodles that were origninally a retriever. In the case of the Irish setter the article argued that this had greatly diminished the overall intelligence of the breed. I think Irish setters were fairly popular in the 60's and 70's as pets because of their beautiful coats.
I agree that you need to be careful selecting a hunting dog and make sure that you look for the characteristics you want. Paying top $$ increases your chances of getting what you want.
By the way, I found the website of a guy in Texas who breeds Std Poodles for waterfowl. There are still a few that have the drive. I also know a guy who swears that his German Sheppard is the best retriever he's ever had and will beat any lab he's seen.
It's an uncertain world.