Irish Red Setters - Getting one......AAAHHH

[jackmilliesmom]

Hello again my darling husband I think has made a really silly mistake and has decided to buy an Irish Red Setter pup which I might add he has paid for (sorry darling but this has to be done) Can anyone with a setter offer some advise on this subject bearing in mind that we are already a terrier household and have two terriers both still kinda in puppy stage themselves being 2.3 years and 1.3 years old.


HELP MEEEEEE

[critter crazy]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!! Hubby's are amazing!! I wish i could help ya, but i have never owned one, they are gorgeous tho!!

[jackmilliesmom]

they are a beautiful dog and have a lovely temperment but oooohhh mmmmyyyyy men are silly - he will see this post and probably murder me with a pillow tonight (just kidding) anyway I just want to find out more info before I am landed with this little darling.

[critter crazy]

Irish Setters are energetic, intelligent, affectionate, high-spirited, and full of energy. They have no guarding instincts, get along with other animals, and are good with children. Irish Setters are responsive yet sensitive. This breed can be giddy and high strung, while some are more reserved. It is very lovable and impulsive. Some are difficult to train, probably because of their independent spirit, but given firm handling and plenty of exercise, these dogs can be a joy to own. Irish Setters are extremely swift, with an excellent sense of smell and are hardy over any terrain and in any climate. The Irish Setter is used for all types of hunting. It even works well on wetlands. Train this breed firmly at an early age to prevent development of bad habits, as this breed tends to pick up bad habits quickly. It is important to train for good house manners. These dogs are said to be easily housebroken. Both field lines and show lines make good pets, though the field lines are generally smaller with shorter coats and a much higher activity requirement.

[Queen of Poop]

My only experience with one was as a child. My uncle had one named Kelly. He was very high strung, a real "wild child". I recall that he was alot of fun but got wound up really easily. He also loved having a shower and having his teeth brushed.

[borzoimom]

Well- when I was young we had two- they earn as said by the AKC as the "clowns of the setters".. I am concerned in not only the size difference, but any large breed stays a puppy longer than a small one- with all the klutz etc associated. ( including my own..) In general it takes two years if not a little more for the large breeds to grow up. That means- no clue how big they are, how to stop from crashing into things etc. And anytime you have the size difference, you have to protect the smaller ones from being " accedently run over " in the yard. Just as I have to protect my pups from being run over by the adults, you would have the opposite in protecting the smaller adults from and exhuberant puppy. I know you have a fenced area to let the puppy run as setters love to run.
As long as Hubby is willing to put the work in to bring the pup along until adulthood- it should be fine- but it does take daily diligence to bring in any dog that would have a big size difference. Also remember- terriers in general think they are a " big dog" and some even without the clue they are as little as they are. I know when I had my affenpincher Crikket with my Dane Lilly- it was a constant supervision- in and out of the house! Big paws do not mean to step on things- but they do.. Zubin and Galina are getting close to two years old- as you know- they still see themselves as puppies- and its not just because there are two of them- they really do even when seperated. " When in doubt- run to something- and worry about stopping when you get there..." lol..
As far as setters- as a trainer- I have found the Gordons and the English more sensible. I love - TO THE POINT OF ADORE- the looks of the Irish, but the other two breeds really are more sensible and sensitve to their surroundings. Also keep in mind- all 3 of the setters need daily brushings with a pin brush.
I am not trying to talk you out of this Jo- you know that- I am just tossing out things for you to consider BEFORE bringing that adorable puppy home. Remember- not all breeds work for all people. Neither of my two setters were chewers- but they had alot of exercise daily.. Alot! As I would say to anyone getting a big dog- keep in mind- do you really have the time for the morning run, and late afternoon run or dinnertime run. A high energy breed needs daily exercise- not excessive for growing bones and joints- so several short runs a day is better than one long one. Being good hunters- they are independant minded, and never should be outside a fenced in area to run loose as they will follow a trail..
All just thoughts for you to consider.. WE have known each other long enough for me to be honest here- knowing you will consider what I have said as an attempt to help with decissions before the puppy comes to your home.

[jackmilliesmom]

Great so I am getting a human child in a dog's body wwwhhhhooooppppeee what a treat oh god it is true whoever invented men did so as a bad joke (sorry guys but it is true)

[borzoimom]

With a man, I doubt you can change his mind- however- maybe once he realizes this tosses out calm home arrivals- and the need to exercise the puppy and the work involved- either he will say " I can do this," or " uh maybe later.."
And keep in mind- this constant activity level is the main reason I do not have shepherds anymore. Do I still drool over a great looking shepherd? YOU BETTER BELIEVE! Do I love to talk about shepherds?? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! Would I own one again- I hate to tell you.. no..

[jackmilliesmom]

I can see everybody's point here but I know this is not going to work out (I can feel a row coming on at home but....) because it will be all left to me and I have to work during the day our terriers have a nice size home but put a setter or similar size dog into the mix - not a good idea would love to just say no but maybe when he reads this post it might put him off the idea and if he wants I have no problem with him getting another terrier but please not a bigger dog it will not work

[borzoimom]

Well put it on the back burner for now. After all- I wanted a Borzoi for years, but we always had smaller dogs, or cats in the house. At some point, a breed becomes right in circumstance and timing..

[jackmilliesmom]

yeah will talk to him tonight - the more I think the more negatives are popping into my head so will talk to him about it tonight

[applesmom]

If hubby is the sort who would rather be taking long walks and spending quality time outside with his dog than sitting in front of the TV--this could be a match made in heaven.

If the dog is going to be left to his own devices or treated simply as a typical small or medium size house pet--there's rocky days ahead. ;) A pointing breed dog must have mental and physical exercise to be happy. They need a job to do even if it's just taking the master for long walks!

As far as your little dogs go, he'll be just fine with them, though they may get trampled a time or two until they learn not to get under his feet when he's excited. ;)

The biggest obstacle in the beginning could be lack of supervision while you're both at work. A setter can't be kept in a crate all day and neither can they be trusted not to get themselves into all sorts of mischief if not well supervised.

Many of the pointing breed dogs don't seem to "get it" until they're about 4 years old. Until then they'll often surprise you with their puppy like antics.

If provided with the proper supervision, exercise and training--they can be a joy to live with! If not, :eek:

[jackmilliesmom]

Yep thats what I am afraid of John is fine but discipline wise and with the work he does it is hard to get plenty of time for him to do anything with them apart from play with them in the yard/garden but even at that he is out at work all day and so am I. Jack and Millie know what to do and are well protected in our garden but I would not trust a setter especially a pup - Jack and Millie can go on jobs with John and be calm and quite even though they are still puppies kinda but know what is ok and what is not thanks to my training though.

But a setter where I have no real time to spend at the moment with work, studies and more work and trying to have a normal life not a runner. By the way he has read this thread and I got a phone call - "Maybe you are right Pooh Bear we should not get one now, maybe later"

You see we do know best.... lol

[borzoimom]

Jo- just put it on the back burner for now. Big dogs do have different needs- especially as puppies. As you know- I didnt get Zubin until I retired and home all day- even then I broke my leg the day after and it made chaos trying to cover those 10 weeks. Thank God for family and friends- .. Alot of body, but a puppy mentality takes alot of work..
I looked into a sporting breed a few months back if you remember. My husband has been in love with the GSP since he saw his first at a show.. We came real close- but the female we were going to adopt had a medical problem we were worried might be transfered to Galina ( who was supposed to be coming into heat.. uh huh...).. Weeks later at a canvas show, we were next to a van full of GSP's- he got to see first hand all things being said on their energy levels and how would that really fit in not just with our lifestyle- but also the other dogs..

[applesmom]

I would never say don't get one! What I would say is; if you're going to get an active dog; be prepared for the dedication it takes! Especially a puppy!

These dogs (the pointing breeds) were bred for a specific purpose which requires a much higher energy level than the majority of other breeds. They are bred to have the stamina to hunt continously hour after hour in all types of conditions.

When you think of it; there isn't another group, even the majority of the herding dogs, (often considered to be among the most active breeds), that are required to expend so much energy for such a continuous length of time. The only dogs that come to mind that would have the same amount of energy levels, would be long distance sled dogs.

Having said all that; if hubby is set on having a setter in the household, you might consider adopting an older one. Once they get past the four year mark, they should be past the mischief stage when unsupervised. ;)

[Flatcoatluver]

I would never say don't get one! What I would say is; if you're going to get an active dog; be prepared for the dedication it takes! Especially a puppy!

These dogs (the pointing breeds) were bred for a specific purpose which requires a much higher energy level than the majority of other breeds. They are bred to have the stamina to hunt continously hour after hour in all types of conditions.

When you think of it; there isn't another group, even the majority of the herding dogs, (often considered to be among the most active breeds), that are required to expend so much energy for such a continuous length of time. The only dogs that come to mind that would have the same amount of energy levels, would be long distance sled dogs.

Having said all that; if hubby is set on having a setter in the household, you might consider adopting an older one. Once they get past the four year mark, they should be past the mischief stage when unsupervised. ;)
Very well said.
T.j my (english setter) always amazes me. He just runs and runs and hunts all day long. Then at night he still want to run. Most setters are very picky eaters, and with them being so active they burn it off very fast. I've had gordens and irish setters in the the past, and they were just the same as my english setter. Irish will play more compared to english setters. My dad told me to tell you that with the Irish setter that the breed in general is being over bred.
T.j hunting.
http://agility.zoto.com/img/45/605914cbddab4c7de8bf57b95e43d93b-.jpg

[borzoimom]

T.J. is beautiful! And I agree with your dad- the Irish do tend to be over bred..

[Love That Collie]

they are a beautiful dog and have a lovely temperment but oooohhh mmmmyyyyy men are silly - he will see this post and probably murder me with a pillow tonight (just kidding) anyway I just want to find out more info before I am landed with this little darling.

LOL, well if we don't hear from you again, maybe we will send "Katrina" to over to check on you. :D I'm not sure how far away (in Irelend) she lives but at least it's in the country. :D
All kidding aside. I had an old boyfriend once who had an Irish Setter named Jillian (Jill for short) she was about 2 when i knew her and was the sweetest, most obeident setter I'd seen. But watch out when she hit the uncarpeted floor running, or should I say sliding. Her biggest fault was that if she got out of the fence ................. she got lost, couldn't get back home on her own to save her soul if she wandered out of view of the house.
A neighbor of my mother in law had one too and he would get lost also. We have had one in the neighborhood here (where I have lived the last 15 years now) and he wanders also when he gets out, his owners say his attention span is that of a gnat and he's 4 years old now but a wonderful dog with the kids but he is hard to train.

[Genny]

My uncle has had 3 Irish Setters in the past, and now he has another one. My mom use to have one and he was lovely. His name was bandit and he was so sweet.

My uncle's 4 Irish Setters have been so hyper and they'll jump on you every time they see you! I personally think that different people that raise them have a huge influence on them and then each one with a different family will act different than it would if it was with another family. I know all dogs have their natural behaviour no matter what, but I think the owner has a really big part in how the dog turns out, because they have to train it and either teach it how to each, or they don't.

My mom really spent a lot of time with ehr IS, but my uncle is more high strung and gets upset easy, and he doesn't make his dogs mind, so that's probably why they act so hyper and wild!

I hope you guys enjoy your little Irish Setter. They are pretty....

[jackmilliesmom]

He has decided to hold off for now when we will both have more time to spend with teh dog. He has spoken to the breeder at length and the breeder has agreed that you need to be able to spend plenty of time with them for at least the first two years and then some and also have plenty of time for them in general. My other two little darlings went with him when he went to the breeder and guess what they don't agree with teh breed and found themselves snarling and bearing teeth on both sides with the adults but not with the pups so john has now as I said decided to hold off for a while until we have more time but thanks to everyone who has pitched their thoughts in on the thread all advice and points will be taken on board when we are going ahead with the pup

[critter crazy]

Sounds like you have made the right choice. Tell him if he realy wants a puppy, just to get another Terrier!!:D

[jackmilliesmom]

I would love another terrier but he has his heart set on the setter but we will wait until we both have more time.... Maybe though I can get him to change his mind as the setter breeder has 4 Jack Russells also and one of the females is coming into heat so if something happens then maybe I would love another russell really I would (fingers,toes, eyes, arms and legs crossed)

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

They are gorgeous dogs but they need an extremely firm hand. They are very high strung dogs as they are a hunting breed. My parents had one when I was younger and I remember he was BAD(not that they all are, maybe he was an exception). He was over a year old when we finally got rid of him. He never got any better with his behavior. He ould get on my brothers bed and Poop, yep Poop....right in front of you. Even if you yelled his name hoping he would stop he just ignored you. Well that is my fond memory of Shane. Good luck.

[jackmilliesmom]

All more than damning in the reports I am seriously taking a dislike to this breed and definitely think my terriers are better....

[Pawsitive Thinking]

My uncle had one called Jason and he was an absolute goofball! To call him thick would have been kind :D

The soft mouth put me off though :eek:

[applesmom]

All more than damning in the reports I am seriously taking a dislike to this breed and definitely think my terriers are better....

They can be wonderful dogs if the owner has the time and the knowledge to invest in them.

That's why I seldom recommend my breed of choice, the German Shorthaired Pointer, another of the pointing breeds as a pet.

They're among the most versatile of all breeds. If raised properly, few other breeds can compare to them when it comes to trainability, eagerness to please and loyalty. However if not taught acceptable behavior early on and left to their own devices for any length of time they can quickly become a pet owners nightmare. :eek:

[Glacier]

That's why I seldom recommend my breed of choice, the German Shorthaired Pointer, another of the pointing breeds as a pet.

They're among the most versatile of all breeds. If raised properly, few other breeds can compare to them when it comes to trainability, eagerness to please and loyalty.

GSPs are extremely popular with mushers, because of their endurance, energy and trainability. Most distance racing teams and a whole lot of sprint racing teams have either purebred pointers or high percentage mixes. I had a 3/4 GSP-1/4 husky puppy show up at my place a couple years ago. I don't do puppies as a rule, but I would have kept him. His musher reclaimed him, but I have dibs on him if he ever gets rehomed.

I grew up with an Irish Setter. She was my best friend for 14 years. Sweet, gentle, loving..a wonderful dog, but seriously, so stupid it was a miracle she remembered to breath on her own!

[applesmom]

GSPs are extremely popular with mushers, because of their endurance, energy and trainability. Most distance racing teams and a whole lot of sprint racing teams have either purebred pointers or high percentage mixes. I had a 3/4 GSP-1/4 husky puppy show up at my place a couple years ago. I don't do puppies as a rule, but I would have kept him. His musher reclaimed him, but I have dibs on him if he ever gets rehomed.

I grew up with an Irish Setter. She was my best friend for 14 years. Sweet, gentle, loving..a wonderful dog, but seriously, so stupid it was a miracle she remembered to breath on her own!

They do love to pull! These three GSP's pictured while skiijoring are part of a team in Washington.
(They're not my dogs--I live in the desert ;) )

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/applesmom/all4skijor.jpg

Yep for the most part the brains have been bred out of the Irish setters! We very seldom saw one out in the field.

[katrina]

was the katrina me?? :confused: lolz

[mike001]

Hmmm.....Irish Setter.....be prepared for a real challenge and an upside down non peaceful home. There is no way to quiet them down, they seem to need exercise constantly. And you will need mega tons of patience to train it, I sometimes wonder if they overbred them to the point of a no brainer. Very exuberant dog is putting it mildly. Training is hard as they don't seem to be able to concentrate on a command. Our friends have one and I would never own one myself.On the plus side, they are very pretty. ;)

[wolfsoul]

My mom used to clean houses, and one of her regulars had an Irish setter, Hunter. Hunter wasn't there very often, she was always out hunting with the owner -- but when she was there, my mom said she was an absolute crazy hyper thing. Just had no impulse control. She was easy for me to groom when she got older -- she was calm in the tub and stood well on the table. She was a senior at that point, however. She passed away late last year -- had a seizure in the orchard and the coyotes dragged her away.