Home for Irish Setter Lovers Around the World

Not strictly Irish but Setter business nonetheless

The English Setter is an endangered species!

This is probably old hat to most breeders but maybe news to some pet owners...

Let's all have more Setters! :)

Comment by Elizabeth Ball on January 26, 2012 at 2:53pm: My husband saw the tv news article to this on yesterday's breakfast programme at around 6.45am and told me to watch it as it had cute pups on it, I dutifully watched it right through to 9.15am and they didn't show the segment again!

Comment by Chantal McIlveen-Wright on January 27, 2012 at 2:18am: I only have Reds but I do love dearly English setters and I am very sad to read this article. Thank you for raising our awareness.

Comment by Susan Stone on January 27, 2012 at 3:19am: How sad! But not surprising when you look at how breeds like the Italian Spinone or the Weimaraner have boomed in recent years in the UK. People prefer to have something 'a bit special' rather than the more traditional breeds.

Comment by KC and the boys on January 27, 2012 at 4:10am: Elizabeth - if you scroll down the link there is a 2.5mins BBC video which you can stream. I doesn't show any puppies but lots of English Setters having fun and an interview with a breeder called Fran Grimsdell based in Norfolk.

Comment by KC and the boys on January 27, 2012 at 4:15am: Here's an interview with Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16723560

Comment by Elizabeth Ball on January 27, 2012 at 5:22am: Thanks KC, I'd read the article but had missed the clip. Think my early morning brain must have misheard my husband (happens most days to be honest). So sad to hear that the numbers are so in decline. My husband had an English when he was growing up and is the major reason we ended up with a Setter, albeit the red version. Interestingly one of the reasons that I wanted a Setter is because there aren't so many of them about, it is rare that we go on a walk around here and don't see a Lab, Springer, or Cocker, but it gives me a real thrill if I meet another Setter as it has only happened a handful of times.

I think the reporter did a grand job of continuing to speak to camera with 4 friendly Setters trying their best to distract him.

Comment by silvia on January 29, 2012 at 5:24am: yes I head about this report.. how sad. Does anybody know the situation for the IS or the gordon (i.e. how many puppies are typically registered in the KC each year?)

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