Hi,

I am hoping to get a dog later this year and am at the moment trying to select a breed. If someone could tell me a bit about Irish Red Setters it would be great. How much exercise do they need? How would they cope with being left alone for a couple of hours each day? Can anyone explain a little bit more about health problems connected to the breed and bloat? What would I expect to pay for a pup?

Thanks for reading all my questions :D,
Ratty

Hi Ratty, Welcome to the board. I have kept Irish Setters for thirty years coming up in October. Iv'e had both sexes but I have never bred a litter. Irish Setters are loveable clowns They have a reputation for being wild and crazy and not very sensible. They do require a good deal of free running exercise each day, but if you work their minds and bodies you'll have few problems with bad behaviour.I have found them difficult to catch sometimes, but a pocket full of tasty bribes works wonders because they are very food orientated.
There are some hereditary health problems that you should be aware of, luckily there are DNA tests available for the main two.The eye condition Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and the other thing is Canine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency. Don't consider buying an Irish Setter puppy who's parents are untested or which are not at least hereditarily clear (grandparents tested clear) and that means all four.Now Bloat! that is something that I sadly, have some very recent experience of.I lost a very fit active 5 year old to bloat just in November. It is a well known problem in the breed and there is still alot of research being done into the causes and possible ways to minimise the potential for it happening. Believe me, I tried it all, my boy Cassidy suffered three times in all, and I decided to have him put to sleep on the third time. I couldn't let it happen again. So take all the precautions anyway, but what will be will be. I still have one Irish a male of almost seven years old, this one, Bailey, has never had an episode of bloat and both these boys were treated the same.
I haven't bought an Irish Setter for almost six years and the price then was £300-£350. So I guess around £400 or so now might be about right. When I bought my first one in 1973 she cost £40, how times change.
Check out this web site www.irishsetter.org.uk
Good Luck for the future, regards Dawn R.

Thanks Dawn,

Thats a great help! You have covered everything I was looking for :D I don't think free running will be too much of a problem - I have fields all around my house. I'm off to do some more research and who knows, maybe I'll be back announcing a new arrival in the near future!

Thanks again,
Ratty

Don't mention it. I'll be interested to hear all about it if you decide to go for an Irish Setter puppy.
Best Wishes, Dawn R.

Dawn

I remember at the grand age of eight I had my first boyfriend and the only reason I used to go round to his house etc was so that I could go and see and play with their gorgeous Irish setter !! He was a lovely dog ! I didn't tell the boyfriend the true reason !!! :D

Lucy

I understand completely Lucy, it's such a striking breed isn't it. I don't believe there's anything more beautiful, but American Cockers in full coat have equal billing in my house.
Dawn R.

I've had four Irish, three dogs and one bitch. They were all wonderful animals but all very different, the males never had a cross word. I did have a favourite though. He died in 1999 aged 13, his temperament was out of this world. Never got into a fight, never grumbled at any thing I did to him and was a wonderful show dog. He loved children, all the local kids knew him and would call him when we were out for a walk. He followed me everywhere I went in the house, my better half used to say 'Mary had a little lamb, Karen got an Irish'. I still miss him. Got a lovely little Field Spaniel now, turning into the Irish! As for exercise my husband used to walk them about five miles a day. Three Irish and a couple of Spaniels used to be left in the house and I never had any problems, mind you two is definatly better than one. Best of luck I hope you do get one they are a terrific breed.

Thanks gibbsy,

I've been doing a bit of research and decided that Irish Setters are the breed for me! I've spoken to someone not too far away who has a litter due later in this month so hopefully will be collecting a puppy July/August time if everything goes well :D :D :D

Thanks for everyones help,
Jenny