The Irish Setter 165 



"I think the handsomest blood red and white Irish setters I ever saw 

 were in the possession of the two Misses Ledwidge, of Beggarsbush, near 

 Dubhn. Stella, the dam, and two sons, named Old York and Young 

 York. Stella, although blood red and white, was the dam of Mr. Dycer's 

 blood red setter Dan, well known in his day for his goodness. This dog 

 was sire of Captain Hutchinson's Bob. Miss Ledwidge informed me that 

 she possessed this breed for half a century or more, and Mr. La Touche's 

 keeper at Harristown, when I visited his kennels there, pointed out a blood 

 red and white setter as the best he had. I believe the Misses Ledwidge's 

 kennel was as pure as any in Ireland. I was told they originally came from 

 the Butler family. [A reference to the Butler dogs will be found in the 

 article on the Gordon setter, — Ed.] 



"Another, and one of the best breeds, which have probably been kept 

 as pure as any in Ireland, are those of the Hon. David Plunket and Lord 

 Freyne of Coolavin, County Sligo. 



"Of the two colours, blood red and blood red and white, I admire the 

 latter the most, they being in my opinion the handsomer of the two. Mr. 

 Barton, County Wicklow, had a large kennel of the blood red and whites, and 

 there are doubtless other breeds in Ireland considered as pure as those named. 



"As far as my experience goes of those I have seen worked, there are 

 few, if any, setters more valuable for general utility than the Irish, provided 

 you can get a sufficiency of point, but I am sorry to write it, the major part 

 are deficient in this requisite, and not to be relied on, but when they have 

 it they are admirable dogs. 



"Those I have seen were rather light, if anything too light in head, 

 wanting a little squareness about the nose and lip; their ears are too high 

 set on the head, being often on a line with the skull, which gives them a 

 prick-ear appearance. A thin, spare, lathy body in general, and, in my 

 opinion, too long on the legs. Their shoulders are generally well placed, 

 low and oblique, with a drooping stern, coat rather harsh, more harsh and 

 wiry than that of the English setter, neither is it so bright and silky; temper 

 obstinate, fiery and impetuous, which detracts from the major part of the 

 breed, but still there are exceptions, and notwithstanding some people 

 say they never saw a good Irish setter, I have, although rarely; but when 

 they are really good they are a first class dog, none better. 



"I should probably have crossed with some of the above named dogs, but 

 on consideration I was afraid of their acknowledged insufficiency of point." 



