LB: The Irish Setter standard states, “Each part of the dog flows and fits smoothly into its neighboring parts without calling attention to itself.” Temperament, silhouette, the distinctive red color, coat, movement and overall balance are all integral pieces when evaluating a dog. Silhouette would encompass the medium size, the long, chiseled “brick on brick” head, the balanced angles of front to rear, the short hocks, the pennant tail and the moderate back over a longer body line. An Irish should be slightly longer than tall, but the length should be in the ribcage, not in the loin. This is a breed that is beautiful and gives every indication that the dog could do the job he was developed to do. The Irish Setter’s rollicking personality is as characteristic of the breed as his beautiful red coat! We love that descriptive word. He is an outgoing, fun-loving dog that is smart, eas- ily bored and very creative. MD: Five traits when I judge are: 1) Balanced, whether moving or standing; 2) Substance with proper bone, but still giving the look of elegance; 3) Top line and tail carriage; 4) Beautiful, long and lean head with correct planes, soft expression and lovely chiseling all carried on a long arched neck that fits into the shoulders creating a beautiful silhouette; 5) Angles that match front and rear. The hallmark of the breed is the “rich red color” and long flowing ears with lots of feathering. SM: The primary traits I look for in an Irish Setter are elegance, combined with substance. Above all, an Irish Setter also must be in balance moving, standing and temperamentally. A good Irish also must move prop- erly. Finally, an Irish Setter should never be common, coarse or spindly. To me, the hallmarks of the breed are elegance and balance with substance. I also believe an Irish Setter must have a very distinctive head—which, to me, is absolutely beautiful. DM: 1) Balance: well-balanced athlete that could go all day… which sometimes is hard to find; 2) Head: long lean planes; “brick on brick”; 3) Top line: strong, slightly sloping with a smooth transition of neck and shoulders; 4) Powerful angled rear end with matching front angle allowing for easy ground covering gait; 5) Proper tail set/ carriage. As for the hallmarks of the breed, the distinc- tive color and silhouette sets them apart from the other Setters. Expression (the correct expression which allows you to look into his soul), character and sense of humor are also hallmarks. KM: What I consider correct type: “brick on brick” head piece, the preferred dark mahogany color, balance front and rear (too many that are over angulated), good legs and feet, proper set on and carriage of tail. Artists consider the Irish Setter the most beautiful of all breeds. I believe that not one part of the dog should catch your eye, but that the whole dog should be a complete package. R&PR: The ultimate hallmark of the breed should be the first thing that appeals to a judge’s eye. The dog should be active, aristocratic, substantial and elegant—all words appearing in the first sentence of the Irish Setter stan- dard. We both agree that the five traits we prioritize are: 1) Silhouette, 2) Movement, 3) Balance, 4) Top line and 5) Head. We pay close attention to the functional necessities
Ch. Courtwood Spring Breeze bred by Sue Hahnen and Ch. Shawnee Prairie Challenge bred by Dick and Shirley Far- rington. Over the years we have bred more than 40 cham- pions, almost all of which were owner-handled or breeder- owner-handled to their championships. We have also owned champion Pointer, English Cocker, Vizsla and English Setters. Bob judges the AKC Sporting Group, Hound Group and most of the Working Group; Pat judges the Sporting Group. We are also approved to judge for the American Rare Breeds Association, the Australian Shepherd Club of America and have judged as well under the Federal Cynologique Inter- nationale show system. Bob has served the dog fancy as an officer, director and Past President of the Irish Setter Club of America. He was Chairman of, and instrumental in, estab- lishing the new ISCA Foundation and served as its initial Sec- retary/Treasurer. He served four tenures as President of the Irish Setter Club of Arizona and one term as a Director of the Irish Setter Club of Greater Tucson, Past President and Treasurer of Sahuaro State Kennel Club, former member of the Prescott Arizona Kennel Club and Founding Member and Past President of the Sporting Dog Association of Arizona for which he is currently Treasurer. Pat has served as the Editor of the Irish Setter Club of America’s MEMO to MEMBERS, as the President, Secretary, Show Chair and newsletter Editor for the Irish Setter Club of Arizona, and Corresponding Sec- retary for Sahuaro State Kennel Club. For a decade Pat served as a presenter and ringside mentor for the Irish Setter Club of America’s Judges Breed Study Program held in conjunction with its national specialty show. In addition, she has also pre- sented Irish Setter breed study seminars for the Irish Setter Club of Southern California, the Scottsdale Dog Judges Asso- ciation and the Portland Dog Judges Association. JUDITH ZAWIKOWSKI
My background in Irish Setters goes back to 1967 when I acquired my very first Irish. I bred my very first litter in 1970. I live in west-central Wisconsin and am cur- rently semi-retired. I own a business quite near to me, and dabble with that a bit. I was approved to judge Irish Setters by the AKC in 1997. I also judge All Breed Juniors. Since then, I have added more breeds and
am in the process of applying for more. I have currently judged 23 Irish Setter specialties across America, and also many of the breeds at all-breed functions. I am excitedly awaiting my assignment to judge dogs and intersex at the 2016 Irish Setter Club of America national specialty in San Diego in early June. I have judged the national before in Ft. Worth in 2003, and had a ball with all those beautiful red dogs! 1. What five traits do you look for, in order, when judging Irish Setters? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?
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