I would love to get an irish setter! Every time I mention this to friends they reply the breed is MAD! I have owned breeds ranging from Yorkies to GSD's but have not had my own dog for a few years now - my research suggest's this is an active, fun breed.. which suits me!...Any advice? Are they all mad?

Hi Rozzer, Iv'e had Irish Setters since 1973,Iv'e kept both sexes and I find little difference between them as far as activity levels are concerned. You must be prepared to provide regular free running exercise and lots of attention. Like most other breeds, an Irish Setter will find his own 'fun' if he's bored. I admit that when they are young, an Irish can be difficult to catch when it's time to go home, but they are very food oriented and will usually respond to a few tasty 'bribes'.
You have picked a lively fun loving breed, that will return your love in spades.My 7 year old is an absolute gentleman about the house, and a whirlwind when out on exercise. Mad...... Never!!!
Dawn R.

Hi Dawn, Do you breed? If not no doubt you know all the usual recommendations such as hip and eye tested parents - I've also come across advice about DNA tested parents (CLAD??) I will really make a point of checking out parents of my future puppy...am I being over the top? There was a sad article in this months 'dog's today' about a lab puppy who had HD and had to be put to sleep because both parents were not checked out?
Sarah

Hi Sarah, sorry I do not breed, but you might like to check out these web sites. www.irishsetter.org.uk www.isbc.org.uk and www.setternet.org.uk These all have lists of puppies for sale.
You are so right to be aware of the hereditary health problems. In the past it was RA that was the main thing to be wary of. However nowadays the DNA test has been available for 10 years and almost all Irish Setters are now either tested clear or are hereditarily clear, i.e. both parents tested clear. As you so rightly say, the modern day evil is CLAD.Canine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency. so you really must ask the breeder of any litter you may be interested in if the parents are tested clear or are hereditarily clear. It is only recently that the DNA test for this has been available for this,and breeders are still allowed to breed from carrier animals, but only if the other parent of the litter is DNA tested clear or is hereditarily clear. This was agreed for a five year period only, and I'm not sure when the time is up.
Hip scoring is done, but not all that widely, so don't be too suprised if you find some litters that are not from hip scored parents.
You might also like to be aware of GDV, this stands for Gastric dilatation with volvulous. Irish Setters are a breed rather prone to this, also known as bloat,or gastric tortion, I lost a 5 year old in November to this distressing and painful condition. Try a search on this site and you'll find loads about it. Good luck in your search, and keep in touch if you like, I'll give whatever help I can.
Dawn R.

Thanks Dawn, I checked out those sites - very useful. I have put them on my favourites list and have contacted a couple of breeders. We have decided to go for a spring baby! So we will have all those lighter evenings and nicer weather for walkies and training sessions, I helped clicker train a collie-x this year and find it very useful with a food orientated dog!! Thanks for all your useful information it is definately noted, I pity the poor breeder who has to listen to all my questions...ah well. So now I am already checking out the garden fence and local routes for walks, we are lucky here with many grass/wooded areas and some lovely parks a short drive away - I cant wait!!!

Hi Sarah,
You have picked a lovely breed and seemed to have done your research. My parents have shown irish setters for about 15 years now, and tend to find that the dogs usually calm down more quickly than the bitches (we've got an 8 year old bitch that still spins round like a whirling dervish!). My mum has always said that an irish setter exhibits the nature of its owner, with a scatty owner equalling a scatty dog and vice versa! Irish setters are a very sensitive breed, and don't take well to chastisement (they can sulk for england!) but they can be trained very well, in fact 2 setters my parents have bred go into obedience competitions (usually with comments from spectators) and one even competed in the obedience at crufts!

Erin

That's so encouraging. As much as like to see the collies and their types compete in obedience I find it refreshing to know that an irish can reach the dizzy heights of obedience at crufts. I intend to spend many hours playing and obedience training - it will stimulate the dog mentally but if he/she ends up like its owner then mine will probably have a naughty/silly side ;) - excellent...
Sarah

Hi Dawn and Erin, To update...I have been to meet some Irish Setter breeders and think I have found the one! My puppy is currently a twinkle in his daddy's eye ;) Anyway, I met mum and dad yesterday and both are absolutely gorgeous and everything I hoped they would be! They both have good hip scores and both CLAD clear, the breeders themselves were extremely helpful and obviously cared a great deal about their dog's and their breeding - in fact we spent the whole day with them!! Puppy's should be born in November so we are counting down the days until January!!! The only problem is both sexes were adorable, I always thought I would immediately go for a bitch but I found the boy's soooo sweet, oh what to do?!

Sarah.

That's good news, Sarah! I bet you can't wait! And don't worry about whether to get a dog or a bitch. When you go to see the litter (best at about 6 weeks old) one of them may just choose you!
:)

I think that is what I will do :) - Hope one chooses me!