I have been in touch with some breeders and am hoping to get an Irish Setter pup within the next few months.  I have decided that I want to show my setter but also want to do some sort of gundog training but am not really sure what it involves.  Can anyone tell me what its all about or recommend some good websites or books ?  also I read that with gundogs if the dog is just a champion this is to do with field trials (is this gundog work ?) and show champion is to do with showing ? is this right ?

Sorry to sound so dim but im a girl brought up with sight hounds so all we did was showing and racing - I couldnt imagine an Afghan doing gundog work :D :D

Claire :)

Have a look Here where you can buy Johns book on Gundog training :)
All proceeds going to a good cause.

liberty :)

Thank you, I will order that :)

http://www.dog-n-field.co.uk/socs/slist.htm

Show Champion means that the dog has won 3 CCs or more in the Show Ring.
Champion means that the dog has either passed its show gundog certificate or it has been awarded a Certificate of Merit in a Field Trial as well as having 3 CCs or more in the Show Ring.  The idea is to demonstrate that your dog can fulfil its original function and not just look good :D
Field Trial Champion means that it has won 2 CCs in Field Trials held for its breed.

That is what I want, although my Irish will be a "show" type I still want it to do the job it was intended for.

Thanks for the website, I cant access it from work though so ill have to wait until tonight :(

Claire :)

Unfortunately, the job that a setter was bred for is fairly specialised in this country.  They are used on the grouse moors to find and "set" game.  To be honest, I don't think you will get anywhere with a show type setter.  I imagine it is possible to train one like you would a lab or a springer but that's now what they were bred to do.  You are starting off with the wrong breed and the wrong strain. 

Helen

I have been reading up on it and apparantly Setters are expected to do the same type of thing as Retrievers in Gundog Trials, I understand that its not the exact job it was intended for, but there arent too many grouse moors here in hampshire :P I know that it wont be the right strain but I only want to do it for fun, to give the dog a "job" to do and something to exercise its brain - if we win a prize its a bonus :)

We used to have a rescue Irish Setter, who we tried to train alongside our working labradors - unfortunately she didn't really quite cotton on - ever........
She was very beautiful, and would sit-stay wonderfully, but that really was it.    She did have quite a strong will of her own, but never really knew what she was being strong willed about!!  :-)

But very good luck with your pup - I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun whatever you do with her, and if you can get her trained - good on you!!!!

Jo and tha Casblaidd Flatcoats

As far as I know setters only have gundog trials which are held on the moor.  They are run against another pointer or setter and they have to find and point the game.  I'm not trying to poo poo your idea but setters don't compete against labs or do any sort of retrieving work.  (I am willing to be proven wrong but I don't think I am).

On another note, I did know a setter that would chase and retrieve a ball so good luck!  You'll have a lot of fun with him. 

Helen

[linkhttp://www.ardoon.com/engscotkcfieldtrials.htm[/link]

http://www.ardoon.com/engscotkcfieldtrials.htm  :)

Im sure it was on the kennel club website that it said what is expected of Setters, Pointers and HPR in Gundog trials they dont compete against labs but against eachother, they do the same sort of work but not exactly the same, I cant access the site from work but do have a look :)

edit to say : I had an Afghan who would chase and retrieve a ball ... does this mean he could have been in with a chance too :D :D

HPRs have their own field trials and working tests.  Pointers and Setters are in a group; Retrievers are in a group and spaniels are in another group.

I think I've found what you were looking at - Dog Days Out?  I picked up the leaflet at Crufts on Friday.  As Tohme says, they are split into different groups and she has posted a link to the different types of trials that are held in a previous message.  I've attended a pointer and setter trial on a grouse moor last year.  Fantastic watching the dogs.

I've also just spoken to a friend who has setters and she said that no setter is required to retrieve in a trial in the UK.

It's great watching the gundogs doing what they are bred to do.  We have 3 working pointers and a gwp who are worked on the moor as well as two springers who are used for rought shooting and beating.  I love training them, working them and watching them.  I get a fantastic sense of achievement.

Helen

Doh!! my mistake, I can be so blonde at times :D :D  I was reading the bit on the kennel club website about HPRs not setters, in fact it doesnt mention setters and pointers on there ? does this mean we wont be able to enter competitions ? In the book I got it says that they can do Gundog Trials, ill have to re-read it when I get home :rolleyes:  I know there is someone local who breeds and works Irish Setters (working type) maybe I should hunt him out :D :D

Claire ........... off to find a grouse moor ;)

As has already been said there are field trials specifically for setters and pointers.  Why not get in touch with some of the clubs and arrange to go and watch some so that you can understand the standard required.  It has to be said that competing in field trials can be somewhat difficult with only 12 dogs being run and entries being balloted out.  It is best to get in touch with people who already compete so that you can discuss the training involved, travelling and the amount of clubs/societies you need to join :D

thanks, ill contact some of the Irish Setter clubs and see if any of their members do it ................. or maybe ill just do agility :D :D :D