Page 308 - ShowSight - December 2019

judging the
IRISH SETTER
BY KAROLYNNE MCATEER
Abreed’s standard is like its own personal piece of poetry; as with poetry interpretations will differ reader to reader, judge to judge. The following is based on maintaining the essence of the breed, the absolute essentials that make an Irish Setter an Irish while still leaving considerable room for a judges’ personal prefer- ences. NOTHING is more important than the standard, and adhering to the fact that these are sporting dogs, as such, they are athletes and while they may not be asked to quarter a field for an afternoon of shooting, they should indeed be built to do the job! I personally feel that a deviation from the standard is a fault, but a fault that inhibits the dog from completing its intended purpose is a sin.
As you take your initial look at your class, whether just checking them in, or making a first walk down the line, the snapshot in your mind should be one of elegance and bal- ance. Slightly longer than tall, rich red in color, gently sloping top line.
Starting at the head, its structure is long and lean, with parallel planes, and an overall proportion of equal lengths from tip of nose to defined stop, and from stop to occiput. The skull when viewed from the top is that of an oval. Depth of muzzle should be in proportion but deep enough to easily carry large upland game, lips are squared off but not pendu- lous. Bites are to be scissor with level being acceptable. You will frequently see dropped teeth, which if in alignment are not to be, in my opinion, penalized. Eyes are oval with tight rims (remember, when hunting this would prevent seeds or grasses from getting into the eye); color ranging from dark to medium brown. The eye has a raised brow which enhances the overall expression of intelligence and softness.
The front assembly shows a moderate but evident forechest, with a scapula that is well laid back and with an upper arm that is equal in length, all contributing to good reach. The neck fits smoothly into good shoulders, and should be of a length appropriate to the breed’s purpose meaning long enough to reach the ground to pick up game without crouch- ing. Bone on the Irish Setter is moderate, but neither fine nor coarse. Remember, the Irish Setter’s origins are the bogs of Ireland where the ground is soft and neither a heavy dog, nor a too fine animal would be appropriate for the terrain. So, substance without heaviness is key, THIS IS NOT A RACY BREED. Feet are small, tight and well knuckled.
As a judge moves along the side of the dog, the chest reach- es to the elbow, and a judge’s hand will note that the length of our “slightly longer than tall” dog is in the rib cage and not in the loin. The top line is firm and gently sloping (not a ski slide!!) and the tail is a direct extension of that top line, neither tipping downward, nor flying high. It is important to look at tails with a view to their set and their carriage as tails can rise
304 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019