Considering an Irish Setter (Irish Setter)

Member Name: lucy1martin

Product:	Irish Setter
Date:	21/11/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun and loving companion

Disadvantages: Can be boistruerous

I have recently lost my Irish Setter bitch 'Jinty' at the advanced age of fifteen years and eight months, she had had health issues from time to time these included skin infections no doubt from her love of jumping in any water or bog she could find - torn cruciate ligament from hanging herself from a wall by one back leg and Cushings disease which she had for over eight years and was successfully controlled by medication once diagnosed.
I got Jinty 'cos I am not into going to the Gym etc. you can always find an excuse not to go!, - but when you have an Irish Setter no matter what the weather, or your mood you take the dog out, and on the darkest wettest day with rain dripping off your nose you will find yourself SMILING - it's an IRISH SETTER thing!.
From my experience of owning an Irish Setter I would say you really have to love the breed to want to own one, these dog's have attitude!, some people are of the opinion that they are stupid, this is far from the truth, they love life and take an avid interest in everything around them and have an effervescent disposition.
I guess Irish Setters can be rather slow to mature as the first couple of years with Jinty was rather like living with 'Tigger' she developed selective hearing! - especially if there was something to investigate, words of command ceased to exist - one of her best trick's was 'I'm not looking at you so I can't hear!'.
If you like meeting people an Irish Setter is the dog for you people cross the road to pet them, I'm not sure if it's because of the colour or the way they trot happily along but most people will reach out and touch them as they pass by.
Jinty always enjoyed exercise in her younger days it was never less than eight miles a day and that was on her lead!, in her later years, well, we 'pottered' - she had more miles on her than a second hand car!.
Plenty of exercise is the key to owning a well adjusted dog, whatever the breed.
I am of the opinion that the personality and 'joir de vivre' of the Irish Setter completely out weigh any negative points of the breed.
If you want biddable dog buy a Labrador, if you want a guard dog buy a German shepherd but if you want a fun loving, life enriching companion get an Irish Setter and given time, patience and love your dog will have the owner they deserve!!.
And me - well am already looking for my next IRISH SETTER!!.

Summary: Slow to mature dog, needing time, training and patience