CHAPTER IX 
Tue Irisu SETTER 
Pa/ECOND in popularity of the three varieties of the setter 
| comes the handsome Irish setter or, as it is called in England, 
0) the Irish red _ setter. At one time he was much more 
5 popular in this country than of recent years. The run 
=== upor 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 go 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 1 in this. country, it is better to say ‘that ae ‘have won ‘at a num- 
‘159 
