The Irish Setter 169 



known the points of the Irish setter all my hfe. The original red Irish 

 setters were a breed of dogs belonging to Mrs. La Touche's grandfather, 

 Maurice O'Connor, Esq., of Mount Pleasant, King's County, and which 

 family took great pride in them. Such a thing as a black hair would be 

 scouted among them, nor were black tips to the ears or to the feathering 

 ever thought of; it plainly shows a cross with another breed. The O'Connor 

 setter is of blood-red colour — certainly of a purer and deeper red than is 

 seen in the coat or fur of any other animal; a little white is not objected to, 

 and of late years there were more red and white dogs bred. It was considered 

 more convenient, as they were more easily seen out shooting, but Mr. 

 O'Connor always preferred a pure red dog. He gave some to Mr. Robert 

 La Touche of Harristown, County Kildare, and thus it was he became 

 possessed of the breed. I remember the dogs and the traditions and rules 

 about them from my earliest childhood, and I can certify that a black hair, 

 or a black-tipped hair, was never seen among them; but I do remember 

 that about twenty years ago a female of the O'Connor setter breed was 

 given away, and afterwards crossed with a black and tan setter. I recollect 

 that of the puppies some were pure red, others pure black and tan, but the 

 red with black tips may have afterwards resulted from this cross. I never 

 saw a red setter with a dark stripe down the back, or any darker colour 

 about him than a rich blood-red, and my recollection extends over thirty- 

 five years." 



Colonel Whyte again joined in the controversy and gave some good 

 information as to old owners. "It appears to be pretty generally con- 

 ceded," he writes "that the earliest recorded and most celebrated kennel 

 of these dogs was that of Lord Dillon, great grandfather, I believe, to the 

 present lord. There were, however, several others of great repute, but 

 supposed, whether true or not, to have descended from Lord Dillon's. Of 

 these, perhaps. Lord Clancarty's ranked highest, but Lord Lismore's and 

 the French Park were much thought of. The purity of the Maurice 

 O'Connor dogs is a moot point, some looking back to them with much 

 respect, others, and good authorities too, denying that they were ever the 

 real thing. 



"The dogs of the Dillon breed are said to have been powerful, wiry, 

 active dogs — some red, some red and white; but that the latter colour 

 showed only on face and chest, not much of it; the coat with a slight wave, 

 but no curl whatever. They were headstrong in temper, without much 



