About Us
I have been involved with Irish Setters since 1981 when I married my husband who owned Katie, a rescue Irish Setter. Katie was very much a free spirit who loved to run and tell me what she wanted me to do - which was to take her running in the park. If too many days passed without an excursion to the park, Katie would find a way to take an excursion around the neighborhood. Once we realized she had taken a running spree-we would jump in the car and drive and call her back home... Then, after an exhaustive search throughout the neighborhood, worried what we would do, we would return home and find her sitting on the front porch, quite content.
In addition to her career as an escape artist, Katie also went on canoeing trips and learned how to maneuver in a small feeder canal off the Potomac. She knew how to "ferry" from one side of the canal to the other by paddling with her feet and keeping her head facing up stream. She could also "peel out" and drift down the waves in the canal. One day, as I was trying to maneuver the boat back to the dock (after I had fallen into the river), she looked at me very knowingly - as if to say, "I understand what you are going through in the current."
Irish setters exhibit more "human like" emotions than any other breed. And, in her love of life and all the hikes around the park, I determined that Irish Setters would forever be a necessary component in my life - to stay fit and young at heart.
As a result of my recent determination, I bought a puppy and named her "My Sunflower Kelly Ann Carr." At that time, my husband emphasized how important it was to train our Irish Setter. In this way, Kelly Ann would know that she had a role in the house. She would know what made me happy, get lots of attention during the training sessions, and be easier to walk and live with. Therefore, at 6 months of age, Kelly and I enrolled in the Old Town School for Dogs to learn how to heel, sit, stay, and conduct ourselves properly in public. This was my entree into the world of dog shows and obedience trials. The School quickly noticed quickly Kelly Ann learned her commands. They encouraged us to go further into the world of dog training. So, one step at a time (or one leg at a time), Kelly and I earned our Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, and ultimately a Utility Dog titles.
Barrigan (aka Bear), who is also known among the AKC world as Champion Red Barn Plum Puddin O'Kerra was eight weeks old when he arrived at our house from his charming farm in Up State New York. Bear and I "hit the ground running" from the day he came home. Life was filled to the brim as Bear earned not only his Champion and Utility titles, but also his Junior Hunter. Bear literally "did it all." I will never forget the day his breeder, Karolyn McAteer greeted us at the door of their barn where all the puppies were zooming around. As he was running by chasing his littermates across the floor, Karolyn scooped him up for his final grooming before his journey to my home. Five hours later when we reached our front door, he was placed on the floor. He instantly resumed the chase as if nothing had interrupted him.
Bear was definitely smarter than me. He had a brilliant personal trainer named Karen Allen who worked with us throughout his obedience career. He earned high scores on his CD and CDX Legs. However, for his Utility title, Bear had another plan in mind. To the innocent observer one would think that the trainer gives a command that elicits a response from the dog-that when performed correctly is rewarded (through verbal praise or a treat). The pattern continues with commands and verbal responses go on until both the dog and the trainer have accomplished a sequence of behaviors that culminate in the completion of an exercise (such as jumping a jump, retrieving a dumbbell or a glove).
Bear saw the scenario much differently. The world was HIS teacup to enjoy and manipulate. In his mind he knew that he could elicit a desired response from me based on what ever behavior he chose to exhibit. Throughout the complexity of practice and showing for the Utility title-Bear could decide on a given day to have me retrain the directed retrieve, scent articles or "go outs." Or, he could do everything perfectly. In any event he knew he would win a pleasant resultÑbeing treats or a run in the park.
Irish Setters focus on the positive aspects of life: hunting, running, chasing squirrels, playing with toys and having fun with people. Charlie Brown, my next male earned his CDX and a High in Trial for his third CD leg. Charlie definitely enjoys watching all my antics to rouse him into a game of play before we go into the ring.
Anybody who has had an opportunity to watch an Irish Setter successfully perform in the obedience ring will testify to the beauty of it all-with the long flowing red hair, the poetry of movement, and the exuberance.
I have also trained Irish Setters to dance and perform in Freestyle and Agility. Throughout each of my training experiences I have learned how Irish Setters truly love the energy of movement.
As sporting dogs, Irish Setters know no boundaries. Owning an Irish Setter is a personal commitment to companionship, long walks and exercise. A fenced yard is a necessity. Together, you and your Irish Setter will "get out there" stay fit-and enjoy life.
Today my husband and I continue to enjoy and train our Irish Setters. We breed very carefully and rarely--only when we, ourselves, desire to have a new puppy. We remain committed to all our puppies throughout their lives and work with their owners.