Hi

I already have two CKCS but would love to own an Irish setter. Can anyone point me to any good sites that would tell me about health etc and things to look out for with Irish setters. Also whether they are likely to be compatible with my two little fellas.

Thanks

MN

Hi there MN, my Irish Setter lives very happily with my American Cockers, so I doubt you would have trouble with CKCS.On the whole Irish Setters are not argumentative, they are laid back and easy going characters that get along well with everybody.
You will find the following web sites of interest,.....www.irishsetter.org.uk www.setternet.org.uk www.isbc.org.uk
These all have details of litters for sale. You should ask breeders about CLAD, PRA and Hip Scores. You should also know about GDV( Gastric Dilatation with Volvulous) and Mega Oesophagus. Good hunting.
Dawn R.

Hi MN,
After years of my family breeding and showing irish setters I have just got my first cavalier! My mum is also planning to get one to show. My little boy is getting on really well with the irish, though they can be a bit intimidating size wise at first. You would have to watch the puppy at first, as the the puppies do seem to enjoy jumping on smaller dogs until they learn it is not the done thing! Another place to look is the kennel club website puppy register, though there does not seem to be many pups about at the moment.
Good luck in your search, they're a lovely breed to be owned by!

Erin

Thanks Dawn & Erin,

Wow that's a lot of health problems! I'm off to read up on them straight away. I probably won't be thinking of getting a setter until early next year but I like to do my research first to make sure we're compatible!

Oh I did have one question. What's the difference between the Irish setter and the Gordon setter as to a bystander they seem to look the same only different colours!

Thanks for the help and pointers,

love

MN

Hi Monkeynuts,
Gordon Setters are the 'heaviest' of all the setter varieties, and the Irish is the lightest build....the temperaments are different, too (at least the ones I've met have been very different!)
:)

Hiya,

Oh right, thanks for the answer to that. To the untrained eye they looked the same to me! How are their temperaments different? I've been told that Irish are very laid back and calm, does that mean Gordons are a little hyper?

I have to admit my two CKCS's couldn't be more different. I have one that's very very active and hyper and the other couldn't be more laid-back. They're brothers and they couldn't be more different! Love them both for their distinct personalities though!

love

MN

The other way round! All the Irish I've met have been delightful but scatty, and the Gordons have been very stand-offish, reserved, one-man dogs.

Hi All, Iv'e kept Irish Setters since 1973, and I know that they have a reputation for being wild and scatty. I prefer to call it active and energetic. They are wonderfully openhearted and great fun to have around, real loveable clowns.
Dawn R.