Morning Marina,

Thought you would find it of interest that we have had two Australian imports into SA in recent years, a dog Cianroninnis Lapis Lazuli of Ceannaire and a bitch Highperelle Jazz of Windrose both imported by Lynda-May Strydom.  They have a lineage reflecting a large proportion of American bloodlines and the male has just produced a litter out of Estelle Meiring's SA Ch.Oakdale's Rose O'Tralee of Meomie (a bitch I bred).  You might like to view them and the full pedigree on Estelle's website www.setters.co.za  

Both I and I'm sure Estelle (also an Exclusively Setters member) would like to learn more about the Australian/American background of the sire, so if you can shed some light on this we would be most interested.

My husband and I co-ordinate the Health Screening Schemes for DNA testing of Irish in SA and can report that the two Irish mentioned above are cleared for PRA rcd 1 CLAD and LOPRArcd 4, but we have found it difficult to access testing records of Australian Irish - is there a body/person who keeps fully disclosed records of testing ?

Look forward to hearing from you, have a good day!      

Hi Bridget
I actually saw the new litter in SA sired by the dog bred by Lorna Pedersen
I have used Ch Windrose Impressive- I have a daughter of his with a four and a half week old litter. She is ch Rhiannon Remember My Name . I can send you some family pictures. Do you have an email address that I could send to?
I am good friends with Carolyn Pearen ( Highperelle) and my young dog ch Rhiannon One For the Money is sired by her Herihunda dog.
Around a decade or so ago we had some very well organised health screening in Australia and the majority of stock was tested for both PRrA & CLAD. Since that time it has sort of faded out - mostly due to personal conflicts between people here :(
The original lists are on the website www.iscv.org.au
I think they are still there. So most stock is clear by parentage and people are keeping their own records. The type 4 pra was not on the radar when the initial testing was done so some people have sent samples to the UK.
The American lines are unlikely to produce any of these diseases and the small number of carriers that turned up in the early testing were UK derived lines.

I

Morning Marina,

Yes, would be most grateful to receive some family pictures of the Aussie Irish appearing on the pedigrees of the two imported to SA - my e-mail address is mss01@telkomsa.net and I will forward them on to Estelle Meiring whom will no doubt contact you herself - her litter and yours are just about the same age.  Mark, my husband, and I also compile regular newletters for the Setter folk here, so seek permission to re-produce photos in same.

How sad for the breed that your Australian Health Screening Schemes fell away - standing "in the front line" as co-ordinators we have also experienced some difficult situations, but ultimately, we are proud to report that our Irish Setter fraternity have put personalities aside to act in the best interests of the breed. SA is clear of PRA rcd 1 and CLAD and dealing with LOPRArcd4 in SA inherited from both UK and European lines. Unfortunately unable to DNA test for LOPRA at our local INQABA genetic testing facility so using Animal Health Trust UK - expensive at R15.00 to the UK pound, but we are making good progress. 

Do not know whether you realize that the South of England Irish Setter Club are keeping records regarding LOPRA testing of overseas dogs, their are some Aussie and American dogs listed.  In January of this year Meg Webb - their Health Screening Committee Chairlady contacted us concerning testing in SA and we have periodically liaised throughout the year and provided her with our Registers.

The full spectrum of tests i.e. Hip and Elbow X-raying for dysplasia (current scoring FCI system) DNA testing (except LOPRA) and Clinical Eye Examinations are available here in SA for Irish - is the situation the same in Australia?  Reputable breeders do all available testing before breeding.

Look forward to receiving photos, hope you are experiencing better weather than we are currently!