hi i have been thinking about getting a red setter puppy for some time but was wondering if anyone who owns or breeds red setter can give me an idea of what they are like as a breed i.e with other dogs and excersise requirement etc

thanks

Hi Fosters, I have Irish Setters, I got my first one in 1973.

I currently have two boys, Bailey is 12 years old and Rory is 14 months.

Irish Setters are loveable clowns, very active and mischevious. They are not considered mature until they're three to three and a half years old, even then that's just in body, their minds never really mature at all. People call them mad and crazy, I prefer to call it fun loving. They love to dash about and play with their friends, just like active little boys really.

Like all puppies, Irish shouldn't be over exercised, the 5 minute rule applies, that's 5 mins per month of age per walk/exercise period. Once they are all grown up, they'll take as much free running as you are inclined to give them. They also require sensible training and disipline to make them into ''good citizens''.

If there's somebody home most of the time who can provide all of the above, then go for it. Have you had any other breed of dog before?

I can point you in the direction of some useful information if you like.

Dawn R.

PS, just noticed you have two young St Bernards, That being the case, I would wait till your St puppies are quite a bit older before getting another puppy..........unless you're a glutton for punishment.

As I type one of mine is upside down in a chair and the other is sprawled on the sofa next to me - so much for active dogs !!

BUT .. they know im still in my pj's, the minute they hear me do the belt up on my jeans they will be at the door waiting and they can go for miles, last year they ran a half marathon with me and were still ready for their evening walk.  Mine get a couple of hours exercise a day, mostly free running, they do cross country runnng with me and also run alongside the bikes.  They also both do agility.

Mine know their routine and because they are constantly trained and exercised they are quite settled at home - although they both have a cheeky streak and love to steal things of mine (usually hats, socks, gloves) one takes them up the garden and hides them, the other just takes them to his bed !

hi thanks both for your replys i am thinking of getting one from may onwards what health tests do i need to look for? my saint girls are so laid back so i dont think it will be a problems plus i have loads of time for walks etc when she is old enough. i think there are stunning dogs and seem like characters.

thanks

As for health tests, the breed mean hip score is currently 15, but unfortunately not all breeders score their dogs, alot do, but not all. So look out for that. Also you will probably find that almost all breeding dogs are either DNA tested for rcd 1 PRA and CLAD or are hereditarily clear. In the case of CLAD, the Kennel Club will no longer register litters of Irish Setter puppies whose parents are untested or have affacted or carrier status.

Other things that can affect the breed are, Mega-oesophagus, and Gastric dilatation with/without Volvulus. It would be worth talking about these things with any breeder you contact.

Mine do the upside down thing on a sofa too.

Irish Setters are undoubtedly great characters, with loads of Irish charm. Can you tell I'm in love

Dawn R.