Page 309 - ShowSight - December 2019

Judging the Irish Setter
BY KAROLYNNE MCATEER continued
with excitement (carriage), but we are talk- ing structure at this time (set).
Moving to the rear, the Irish Setter has good rear angles, matching the front angles which contributes to overall balance both standing and moving. Evidence of a wide thigh and second thigh should be noted, with a well-defined bend of stifle and with the leg ending in a moderately short per- pendicular hock. Again, feet are small, well knuckled and with hair left between the toes. Examining the rear also includes checking for muscling. Step back for one more look, and the overall picture should be a pleasing silhouette of elegance and balance.
Having examined the dog standing, it should be no surprise how it moves. We are a breed that moves as it stands, and correct movement on the Irish Setter is where all the pieces flow together, with no one piece over- powering the other. A judge always checks the down and back for basic soundness, (please note a good dog can move widely in the rear to start, but converge to center after a few paces) but it is on the silhou- ette that you see the true components of this breed. Proud head carriage reflect- ing correct head planes, with heads that move slightly forward as speed increases and would definitely move forward when carrying the weight of a bird, neck fitting smoothly into well laid-back shoulders, a firm slightly sloping top line ending in a lev-
el tail set. The reach and drive should reflect good ground cover, with the feet “clipping the grass” exhibiting no wasted motion or excess picking up of feet. Remember, a full day of hunting would require efficient ground covering movement.
The coat: Over this dog lies a coat, rich red in color, with a silky quality and with a pleasingly long fringe on ears, belly, brisket and chest. All coat should be as free from curl or wave as possible. You will see small acceptable patches of white, most com- monly on the chest, throat or toes, and even on occasion a slight “snip of white” on the head...these are not to be penalized. The standard states that all trimming is done to preserve the natural appearance of the dog. We are currently seeing what could only be considered extreme grooming and sculpting but I am SURE there are none among us who think that a moderate dog in tons of coat outweighs a good dog in modest coat!! Coat can be grown by anyone; good head- pieces and correct body type come from good breeding.
Judging puppies: Our breed is not fast to develop, looseness on the move is to be expected (not to be confused with unsound- ness), our heads will develop long past 2 years of age, with the chiseling that makes a setter head so special, not evident until maturity. Breeders ask that as you approach an Irish Setter pup you not speak to it, just
scratch its head to denote you are there and examine it. We always laughingly say if you talk to a pup, you could end up wearing it!! Remember, this breed’s standard calls for a rollicking personality and it is likely you will see it more than once during a day’s judging. What you should see is a firm out- line, with correct proportions and balance, decent bone and with soundness in pace. Frequently when moving an Irish pup, it forgets its party manners, just be patient and say “go again please.”
Personality: An outgoing, stable temperament is the essence of the Irish Setter, timidity shyness or hostility are uncharacteristic of the breed and are not to
be rewarded.
There is nothing like a National for in
depth experience. Entries are in very good numbers at our National, and we have a two-day Judges Ed program with classroom experience, hands-on and ringside mentors for Best of Breed. This experience is where the written word comes alive. We have mul- tiple specialties across the country, and can almost always arrange for ringside men- tors. We have two field events; the National Hunting Test coupled with The National Walking Field Trial and the breed’s Fall National Field Trial. Come and join us and watch form and function work together.
For further information on our breed, consult our website www.irishsetterclub.org.
ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019 • 305