CHAPTER IX 



The Irish Setter 



ECOND in popularity of the three varieties of the setter 

 comes the handsome Irish setter or, as it is called in England, 

 the Irish red setter. At one time he was much more 

 popular in this country than of recent years. The run 

 upon the English variety has had its effect on both the Irish 

 and the Gordons. In the land of his name and also in England he is still 

 held in high esteem and valued as a field dog. This may be seen by the 

 large number mentioned in advertisements in those English papers which 

 are used as mediums for the sale of broken shooting dogs. 



The success of the Irish setter Plunket in English field trials had 

 naturally very much to do with Irish setters being popular here at that 

 time, added as it doubtless was, to what was accomplished in America by 

 the half bred Irish setter Joe Jr., by Elcho out of a native setter. That is 

 nearly thirty years ago now, and for a few years, or up to about 1882, 

 entries of Irish setters were not infrequent at field trials having some claim 

 to prominence. The preponderance of English setters, however, even if the 

 Irish had been every bit as good in the average, led to far greater success 

 on the part of English setters, and the Irish were dropped. It is quite true 

 that votaries of this breed can make up a long list of winning Irish setters at 

 American field trials, but of what class were the trials ? Without going 

 into an accurate investigation to determine the positive numbers, we may 

 say that not far from 90 per cent, of any such tabulation would be found 

 to consist of wins confined to members of the club giving the trials, or to 

 such minor trials as those at Fishers Island, Robins Island, or the Phila- 

 delphia Kennel Club, when the members of the last were more particularly 

 interested in Irish setters. 



We are not seeking to disparage the Irish setter in making the above 

 statement, but as total figures could be given by way of contradiction to 

 a general statement that Irish setters have not met with much success at 

 field trials in this country, it is better to say that they have won at a num- 



159 



