The English Setter
For more information on this breed contact the English Setter Association of America, Inc. at www.esaa.com
Or contact the English Setter Club of Phoenix at their website: www.azsetters.com/ESCPHX
The following information comes the the American Kennel Club.
A graceful, elegant gundog, the English Setter today excels in the show, obedience and agility rings as well as in the field.
Although similar in function to the Irish and Gordon Setters, the English is a distinct breed, differing personality and appearance. Their beautiful feathered coat is white with an intermingling of darker hairs resulting in markings called "belton." Belton markings can be orange, blue (white with black markings), tricolor (blue belton with tan points), lemon and liver.
A Look Back
One of the oldest gundog breeds, the English Setter was developed in England more than 400 years ago. Believed to have developed from Spaniel stock, the breed was originally called a Setting Spaniel. Before the use of firearms, this "Setting Spaniel" would find the birds and then crouch down on its front legs or "set" to allow the hunter to throw a net over the game. When guns became widely used, a more upright pointing stance was bred into the Setter so he could be more easily seen.
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The Irish Red & White Setter
For more information on this breed contact the National breed club through AKC at www.akc.org.
The following information comes from the American Kennel Club website:
Despite its name, the Irish Red and White Setter is a distinct breed, not just a different colored version of the Irish Setter. Bred primarily for the field, they should be strong, powerful and athletic, with a keen and intelligent attitude. The coat’s base color is white with solid red patches.
A Look Back
Known in Ireland since the 17th century, the Red and White is thought to be the older of the two Irish Setters. However, due to the overwhelming popularity of its solid red cousin, and separate breeding of the two breeds, the Irish Red and White Setter was nearly extinct by the end of the 19th century. During the 1920s, efforts were made to revive the Irish Red and White Setter and by the 1940s, the breed began to reemerge in Ireland.
The Gordon Setter
For more information on this breed contact the Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc. at www.gsca.org.
The following information comes the the American Kennel Club.
The heaviest of the three setter breeds, the Gordon Setter was originally bred as a personal bird dog, but they are equally at home as companion dogs, obedience competitors and show dogs today. Sturdy and muscular, the Gordon suggests strength and stamina rather than extreme speed while on the move. The breed’s distinctive black and tan coat allows it to be found easily in light fields and early snow.
A Look Back
The Gordon hails from Scotland, and his ancient lineage traces back to the early 17th century. Popular among hunters of Scotland, the black-and-tan Setter came into prominence in the kennels of the fourth Duke of Gordon in the early 19th century. As field trials became more popular, the Gordon’s popularity waned in favor of Pointers and other flashy, fast breeds, but the breed remained unparalleled as a one-man shooting dog.
Right Breed for You?
Alert and confident, the Gordon Setter is devoted to his family. Although they are bright, they are not blindly obedient, so may appear stubborn. Gordons are capable of adapting to a variety of living situations, but need plenty of daily exercise on leash or in a fenced area. Regular grooming is also necessary to prevent matting.
The Irish Setter
For more information on this breed contact the Irish Setter Club of America, Inc. at www.irishsetterclub.org or locally contact the Irish Setter Club of Arizona, Inc. through their website at www.irishsetterclubaz.com
The following information comes from the Ameican Kennel Club website:
One of the most distinctive Sporting breeds, the mahogany red Irish Setter is an active, aristocratic bird dog. Originally bred to be red and white, the solid red color appeared in Ireland the 19th century and became a mark of quality and superior sporting ability. Over two feet tall at the shoulder, the Irish is known for his style, powerful movement and clown-like personality.
A Look Back
The Irish Setter became popular in the 18th century throughout Ireland and the British Isles. Developed from a mix of Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, English Setter, Spaniel, Pointer, and a dash of Gordon Setter, the breed was originally used to "set" game, crouching low near the birds so that the hunters could walk up and throw a net over bird and dog. When firearms were introduced, the Irish adapted into a gun dog that pointed, flushed and hunted in an upright stance.
Right Breed for You?