Hi all, i have a beautiful 2 year old irish setter dog, i am lucky enough to not have to work, so i spend all day with him, he gets a 2 hour walk in the morning, then an hour in the evening, ive been told this is too much for him??? is it!!!?? (both walks are off lead)

Faye Brilten

I would say lucky dog!!!  As he is fully mature, and I assume athletic and enjoying his walks allow him to let you know when he has enough, which I think would be never as setters should be able to hunt all day.

My Elkhounds quite often get that much walking, even the 13 month and 12 year old (but not every day), and the younger ones would happily have more each and every day, though often make do with just an hour.

Hi Faye, I too have an Irish Setter, my boy is eight years old and also has what I would call a very active lifestyle. He gets about an hour and  a half free running every morning all weathers, but he rests for the remainder of the day. I would say he's on the thin side because of the amount of running he does. You must have to feed a huge amount to sustain that level of activity. I lost an Irish Setter to Gastric Dilatation with Volvulous almost two years ago so may I warn you to be very aware of exercising your dog within an hour or so of eating, especially as it's all free running, and be careful of his water intake.

Generally speaking I do think that 3 hours free running is alot, but I'm sure you are sensitive to his needs, and fluctuating requirements.

Why not join the board and participate in the discussions, there are one or two Irish Setter people here already. My boy is called Bailey, and I've kept an Irish Setter in the house for the past 30 years, recently joined by a whole crowd of 6 American Cockers.

Looking forward to chatting more.

Dawn R.

<<<<<<<<Gastric Dilatation with Volvulous>>>>>>>> Is that the same as Bloat????
(know quite a few Irish and one Briard that have gone because of that  :( )
Lea.

Hello Lea, yes GDV is pretty much the same as Bloat, although a dog can bloat without getting a volvulous (twist) otherwise known as Tortion. Just like alot of things there are varying degrees.

My boy Cassidy bloated badly 3 times but bloated mildly on practically a weekly basis. It was almost inevitable that he would succumb. If you do a 'search' for Gastric Tortion, you will find our story. ( Oct/Nov 2002 )

Dawn R.