Meadow Run Calamity Good Reason, owner: Anne Pellette
General
Must be racy, balanced and full of quality. In conformation,
proportionate.
Characteristics
Most handsome and refined in looks, tremendously active with
untiring readiness to range and hunt under any conditions.
Temperament
The Irish Setter has a rollicking personality. Shyness, hostility or timidity are
uncharacteristic of the breed. An outgoing, stable temperament is the essence of the
Irish Setter.
History
Historians of the breed differ in their opinions on the origin. Most believe it
evolved from the spaniels crossed to the pointer, English and Gordon
Setter, the Irish Water Spaniel and possibly the Bloodhound. The breed
was essentially established by the 1800's. Many believe the breed's
beauty has been its undoing. Two distinct types have evolved, bench or
show and field or hunting. The "show dogs" were developed with very little
thought for working ability, a utilitarian coat, or a great increase in size.
These two types have grown so far apart that few are competitive in the
other's arena. The show dog, while a beauty, due to its size, probably
does not have the endurance to spend a day afield hunting. Its long coat
would require hours of grooming if taken hunting. The field type is a much
smaller dog and in some cases has almost a snipey muzzle and is fine of
bone. The two types may have very different personalities. When buying
an Irish Setter you should make sure of the purpose for the dog. It should
be the goal of breeders to develop a dog that can be competitive in both
areas and adhere to U.K.C.'s philosophy of the "total dog."
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