Why do you own an Irish Setter?

[Susan Stone]

OK, maybe this is a silly question - but I put it to you all the same:-)) At least all members, old and new, can join in on this one...

[Mavis]

I read a lot of books when I was young and one of them was, of course - Big Red. I didn't think too much of it and at the time I had a small mixed breed dog, but a few years later, I met a man walking the most beautiful dog I had ever seen. I talked to him for awhile and played with his dog (of course it was an Irish Setter), and when I went home I told my parents that I would get an Irish Setter one day. It was several years after that when my 1st red dog came into my life and I was lucky enough to have him for 16 wonderful years. When Red left for the Rainbow Bridge I had more dogs - mostly mixed breed and all rescues. Four years ago while taking Dakota (a springer spaniel cross) for a run & swim at the dog park, I met a man with an Irish Setter. I hadn't seen one for years and seeing and petting that beautiful dog brought all the memories of Red back. I couldn't keep the redheads off my mind and when I saw a posting for a rescue Irish Setter on a local e-mail list a few weeks later, I replied. Before I knew it, I had Chester home with me and Dakota. Chester isn't the flashy show type, but he has all the personality that I remember with Red.

[Susan Stone]

I love all these heart-warming, amusing, touching and also sad stories about your own personal reason for owning an Irish Setter. Throughout all the messages the love for that 'very first Setter' is so apparent. It is difficult to pick out any one reply in particular, but if you have not read Ursula Wilby's reminiscences - you must!
I look forward to reading more stories from all 177 members... why not put it in your own language if not feeling too sure about the english?

[jodi]

WHY NOT!!!! I don't know of any other breed that has the behavior range these dogs do - they're goofy, loving, sensative, smart, active and an abundance of joy...I have always had dogs - always a setter - and see groups of dogs everyday when we go to the dog park and none of them can measure up to the only setter in the group :) That big ole heart of theirs is too endearing and a necessary element in our house.

[Susan Stone]

Hi Jodi - I just love the smiling face of your dog!

[Agnieszka Rola]

First time when I saw irish setter was also in the cinema on Walt Disney's "Big Red" :) . I was 10 or 11 years old. Since that time I love setters more and more every day :) Their lovely character, big energy, neverending cheerfulness and gorgeous appearance. I could never stop smooching them and watching how they run.

[Monique VIRY]

I think that each person has a type of dogs which it finds most beautiful, to me it is the Irish Setter. Whereas I was 8 years old, I saw " the most beautiful dog of the world " . It was necessary me to have patience not badly of years to carry out my dream and now we let us have 2 at the house of them. I like certain paintings especially those of Monnet but to have Si at its sides is to have at every moment a companion of any beauty and very attentive.

[Angie MacDonald]

I hope it's ok that I reply to this. I don't have an Irish setter, I have an Irish Red and White setter. Close enough? We had an Irish setter when I was a kid, and though I don't remember her much, I heard stories. We have always had beagles, and when we lost our old beagle last year I started researching different breeds. We visited an Irish setter breeder and an IRWS breeder and decided the IRWS would fit better. I was looking for a breed that was affectionate, active, playful, and smart. I found all that in our IRWS. Maybe someday when we have a bigger house I will get an Irish as well. They are such sweet dogs, and she learns very quickly. Very different from a beagle. Very special breed.
Angie

[Susan Stone]

Hi Angie - sure you are close enough - after all, you do have an Irish setter - even if it is of a patched kind:-)) I think setters in all shapes and sizes qualify! After all, their nature is loving, kind, affectionate, cheeky, vivacious, just all the things we love (and sometimes hate) about them... Next go to the theme 'what do you hate most about your Irish Setter'