Kennel Gazette July 2018

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The handsome and refined Irish Setter is this month’s judges’ choice

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The handsome and refined Irish Setter is this month’s judges’ choice

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Contents

Contents Opinion Viewpoint

Health matters What if it’s cancer?

4 6 Letters and news

Simon Parsons discusses show critiques

Our readers’ views and thoughts and news from the dog world

Getting down to business

12

July 2018

An update on what happened at the Kennel Club’s recent AGM

Personality profile The work of the Chief Operating Officer

8

Jacquie Easton is at the core of Kennel Club activities

Special features Just say what you see!

14

An insider’s view of the ‘Eye for a Dog’ judges’ assessments

Ch Garryowen – the daddy of them all!

23

18

An insight into the use of chemotherapy in dogs

Judges’ choice The Irish Setter

24

The breed standard, plus breed experts pick their three favourite show dogs

32

Style and purpose

Combining speed, substance and elegant good looks — the dual purpose Irish Setter

Chairman: Simon Luxmoore Vice Chairman: Steve Croxford Chief Executive: Rosemary Smart Secretary: Caroline Kisko Customer services: 01296 318540 Petlog Main Number: 01296 336579 Petlog Lost & Found: 01296 737600 Library/Gallery: 020 7518 1009 Insurance Enquiries: 0800 369 9445 Editor: Carrie Thomas Editorial Manager: Sara Wilde Editorial Panel: Bill Moores (Chairman), Terrie Cousins-Brown, Ian Gabriel, Philippa Gilbert, Robert Greaves, Revd. Bill King, Gay Robertson

20

Paintings and sculptures from the Kennel Club’s art collection

34 Book corner

‘The Curious History of Irish Dogs’ by David Blake Knox reviewed

The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB Subscriptions: 020 7518 1016 subs@kennelgazette.org.uk Kennel Gazette is published monthly on behalf of the Kennel Club by Warners Group Publications Plc www.warnersgroup.co.uk To advertise contact Andrea Walters andrea.walters@warnersgroup.co.uk Printed by Warners Midlands Plc Kennel Gazette is the monthly publication of the Kennel Club. Views and opinions expressed within the Kennel Gazette are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kennel Club. /The KennelClubUK @thekennelclubuk

Editorial enquiries: kennel.gazette@thekennelclub.org.uk

Judges’ choice

Art & culture The Irish Setter in art and history

The prolific sire, and possibly the most famous Irish Setter, remembered

The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB www.thekennelclub.org.uk

24

@TheKennelClubUK

8

JJacquie a E a Easton

Cover photo: Irish Setter Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW, ‘JJ’. Bred by Mr & Mrs MJ Oakley and owned by Mrs Jackie Lorrimer.

Sired by Sh Ch Danaway Debonair and Sh Ch Caspians Night Music.

Winner of 77 CCs and is the current breed record-holder. Crufts 1999 Best in Show winner, and whose sire Sh Ch Danaway Debonair also won Crufts Best in Show in 1993.

JJ was a much loved pet, very much a gentleman with a loving and gentle temperament.

Jackie concluded that his future was not one of a working setter when a pheasant strolled across the path under his nose to which he showed not the slightest bit of interest other than to say a polite good morning in passing.

Photographer: ©David Dalton

The paper used for this publication is a recyclable and renewable product. It has been produced using wood sourced from sustainably managed forests and elemental or total chlorine-free bleached pulp. This magazine can be recycled either through your kerbside collection, or at a local recycling point. Log on to www.Recyclenow.com and enter your postcode to find the nearest sites.

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Photo: ©OnEdition/The Kennel Club

Viewpoint

Viewpoint

By Simon Parsons

I

two in each class at both championship and open shows, though some judges also report on their thirds.

This means that the judging is faster than in the rest of Europe, not so fast as in the US but, at least, ensures the judge takes time to rationalise why he or she has made those particular decisions.

Judges are required under Kennel Club regulations to send their reports to the weekly dog press — which currently means Our Dogs — where they appear both in print and in online editions.

There are also various general or breed-specific websites and Facebook pages where reports are welcome, and as I write the Kennel Club has just introduced its own critiques site where, as long as you have access to the internet, it is a simple matter to upload and/or read what the judges have to say.

Personally, I think the requirement to produce a written assessment of the dogs you have judged is a major strength of the

British show system. It means (or should mean!) the judges must be able to have valid reasons in their own mind why they put dog A over dog B. No one wants to read that their dog is a dreadful specimen, so the need to produce an acceptable critique hopefully means that the judge takes a positive approach, concentrating on the dogs’ virtues, while also taking their failings into consideration, rather than ‘fault judging’.

Guidance on producing a balanced critique is available on the Kennel Club Academy, as part of the new Judges Competency Framework, which future aspiring judges will have to complete.

A critique can not only be a useful guide to what the individual dogs look like and to the overall state of the breed, but can also tell you a lot about the judge! Sadly, a minority (and not as small a minority as one would expect) of judges fail in their duty to produce a critique in reasonable time. And it is a duty — not just an o cial

Photo: ©Flick.digital

n various aspects of the dog world the UK is a ‘happy medium’ between the scene on the other side of the Atlantic and that in the countries under the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) umbrella; one of these aspects is show critiques.

At most shows run under FCI rules judges must write a report on every single dog they go over. That may well be rewarding for the exhibitors, especially newer ones, but does add considerably to the time the judging takes, and makes the whole process rather dull to watch.

In the US, critiques are never written at the all-breed shows, only at specialties and if the breed club requests them. My feeling is the lack of show reports can make the judging there seem rather a ‘conveyor belt’ process, perhaps even verging on the superficial at times.

Back home, though, we compromise, with judges required to write only on their winners — nowadays that means the first

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Kennel Club requirement — but also part of what is owed to the exhibitors who have honoured them with, and paid handsomely for, their entries.

Of course there are very occasionally genuine reasons, such as illness, why a report does not appear, but more often than not it seems to be simply laziness, or taking on too much.

Until recently no one has tried to check up over all breeds how many judges have disappointed in this respect, but latterly this has changed and now there is greater scrutiny and it is harder for judges to get away with it. Our thanks must go to those who have highlighted the problem.

The Kennel Club regulations allow for judges to be dealt with and fined if they do not come up with a critique. Occasionally such fines are recorded in the Journal, but not as often as one might expect. Perhaps a greater use of this provision, especially for ‘serial offenders’, might be productive and act as a prod to those judges who might be tempted to ignore this part of their responsibilities to the exhibitors and to the breeds.

Personally, I enjoy compiling a critique

Photo: ©Martin Hill/The Kennel Club

Photo: ©OnEdition/The Kennel Club

Viewpoint

and do find that the prospect of having to write one does help me in the decisionmaking process. Yes, I realise it is perhaps easier to do for those for whom writing is a big part of their lives, but it is anyway satisfying to ‘revisit’ the dogs as you compose your thoughts about each one and I know very well that the exhibitors really do appreciate the finished result.

SIMON PARSONS Simon Parsons has owned a variety of breeds but his first loves are the Corgis.

He worked for Dog World newspaper for 39 years and awards Challenge Certificates in 13 breeds.

In 2014 he instigated the revival of the Kennel Gazette

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Letters and news

What happens to a kennel name when the owner dies?

Revd. Bill King explains…

A

kennel name is the new descriptor for affix and, if one were under the impression that a kennel name could simply be left (willed) to someone, be assured that is not the case.

The Kennel Club has a facility for bequeathing a kennel name to a named person (the service is free), if the kennel name is in sole ownership. If it is held in joint or several names, upon the death of either party, the kennel name will automatically transfer to the remaining person(s) upon notification.

If the owner of a kennel name dies without any provision for passing the name

on, then the breed club can apply to preserve it as an historical kennel name. The cost is a modest £50, which provides protection for 50 years.

There are good reasons for considering these options. From the individual’s viewpoint, they have worked hard to develop their line over many years and consigning that name to history may not be a good thing for them or the breed.

Breed clubs have a unique role to play because only they can apply to preserve an historical kennel name and, in doing so, they are recognising and protecting the heritage of that particular line and its impact on the breed.

We need to be diligent in protecting breed heritage. A lapsed kennel name may reappear at some future time causing unnecessary confusion. This can be avoided by two simple steps: for the individual, complete the bequest service for sole kennel name owners’ paperwork. For a breed club, in honouring the passing of a significant breeder, always check the status of the kennel name and where appropriate apply for historic kennel name status.

Readers who have any further queries regarding kennel names can contact the Operations Department via the standard ccs.admin@thekennelclub.org.uk

The nose knows… protecting the local environment — conservation dogs

I

was surprised a few months ago to see in Highways England ‘in house’ magazine an article about sniffer dogs being used to locate great crested newts (GCN). A GCN and a dog are an unusual combination, and I had little idea about the extent of conservation dogs and the semi-aquatic amphibian. However, after carrying out a little bit of detective work, I found out that dogs have achieved great success in sniffing out GCNs during Highways England’s M60 Junction 8, to M62 Junction 20 Smart Motorway Scheme in the North West of England. The Manchester Smart Motorway Scheme is 28.5 km long.

Surrounding the project sits areas of agricultural land with a number of ponds, where there is a high population of GCNs GCNs and their eggs are a protected species. Their breeding sites and resting places are protected by law. Not many people realise the variety of wildlife found at some construction sites; working with specialist companies and identification with dogs is an excellent way of protecting wildlife.

Highways England called upon the conservation dogs to help detect and protect the endangered GCN. Firstly, the dogs were tested to see if they could sniff out the newts, as well as other protected species. If the trial

was successful then the dogs would be used on other projects, helping save time and money compared with traditional survey techniques.

Ecologists need to identify any protected species and other wildlife before building work can begin. Rocky, the newt-hunting spaniel, was drafted in together with Ned, to sniff out the GCNs. The principle is the same as for other sniffer dogs who detect drugs, money, or other illicit items. Both worked well during the day and at night when GCNs were active.

The potential benefits of using sniffer dogs are: • Non-invasive • Efficient — faster with increased detection rate • Reduce detection bias • Accurate • Cost effective Louise Pavitt, deputy project director for Manchester Smart Motorways, said: “Having conservation dogs on a project of this scale is a first for the highways sector.

We’ve had two dogs working on the scheme — Ned and Rocky. The majority of their training has been to locate the GCNs without touching them. If the trial is successful, the dogs could be used over large areas of the

Photos courtesy of Highways England

By Robert Greaves

road network.”

The initiative was the first of its kind to be trialled in the highways sector and was developed through dog handling and training company, Wagtail. The conservation dogs trial on Manchester Smart Motorways was a success and led Balfour Beatty to go on to use conservation dogs on their Norwich Northern Distribution Road project.

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Letters and news

Photo: ©Marc Henrie

with her Yorkshire Terriers Tessa and Girlie.

Katie absolutely loved Italian Greyhounds, and supported the Italian Greyhound Rescue Society. She had one called Bambi, then a Toy Poodle, and then a Westie called Katie, which she described as: “like me – same temperament!” She had two Pekingese dogs, Mi-tzi and Tai-Tai, who also featured in a serial called ‘Golden Girl’, in which she appeared in 1960.

She left acting behind after finding fame presenting four Eurovision Song Contests, helped by her multi-lingual talents as a fluent speaker of Italian and French. She entered the world of television, presenting the ITV advertising magazine show ‘Mayfair Merry-Go-Round’ and, over the years, was a panellist on ‘Juke Box Jury’, ‘Call My Bluff’, ‘Punchlines’, ‘Blankety Blank’ to name but a few. Then, from 1970 to 1988, Katie was TV Times’s agony aunt with her ‘Dear Katie’ column, and a well-known TV personality.

Katie put her modelling career on hold in the 1940s when she married Richard Boyle, a viscount and Irish Guards captain. The marriage was dissolved in 1955 but she kept

his surname. She then went on to marry racehorse owner Greville Baylis; however, he died in 1976. In 1979, she married famous impresario Peter Saunders, theatre producer of Agatha Christie’s play ‘The Mousetrap’ (still running today), and three years later he was knighted and she became Lady Saunders. He died in 2003.

Katie always visited Discover Dogs and Crufts. In 2004 she was invited to present the Toy Group trophy to Bichon Frise Ch/Am Ch Paray’s I Told You So, judged by Liz Stannard.

I loved photographing her, as it was always so different and exciting. Katie was astonishing each time, with great style and poise. She was a joy to pose, then afterwards we would enjoy a superb lunch or tea and would talk for hours about our doggy friends.

I confess I shed many a tear and will miss her dearly. May God bless her.

Marc Henrie

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Corgi owners across the world must have felt for Her Majesty the Queen when Willow her last faithful companion had to be put to sleep through illness.

Having had Pembrokes myself and had the honour of one of my dogs sire a litter for Her Majesty, I know the sadness one feels through the loss of a well-loved friend.

I am sure that all dog lovers, especially those with Corgis, will join me in sending our condolences to Her Majesty.

Rosemary Hall, Berose Pembroke Corgis

Photo: ©Marc Henrie

I

t was a sad day on March 20th, 2018 when Caterina Irene Elena Maria Imperiali di Francavilla, usually known as Katie Boyle, died aged 91. I met Katie many years ago when she was just beginning her acting career. She had been a top fashion model and often appeared in Vogue magazine. Her style, presentation, and appearance made her greatly sought after. I was approached by her agent to take some Hollywood-style photographs of her, which she knew I specialised in. “Well Katie Boyle,” I said. “Well, Marc Henrie,” was her reply “let’s go!” Her make-up, hairstyle, and special dress were amazing and she was a sensational subject for my kind of photography.

Katie adored dogs, she became a committee member of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for more than 25 years and rescued many dogs, taking them back to her home in Monkwell. She was always seen

Photo: ©Marc Henrie

Katie Boyle – through the lens

Please write to Kennel Gazette, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB, or email kennel.gazette@thekennelclub.org.uk and put ‘Letters page’ in the subject line.

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Personality profile

Working at the core From data inputting to heading up the 90-strong Operations Department, Jacquie Easton’s work is at the core of Kennel Club activities camps and they wanted to do agility.

Fortunately, seeing the children’s frustration, a kind person lent Jacquie’s seven-yearold daughter an agility trained spaniel and happiness was restored. Jacquie herself has never been tempted by any competitive dog activities, “although I love watching agility” and as for breeding: “I would worry more about the responsibility of that than I did having children.”

It’s all in the data

Photo courtesy of Jacquie Easton

Since the 1980s, computerised data collecting has been at the core of all Kennel Club activities. Her career has grown in tandem with the exponential growth of registration services, until today, as Chief Operating Officer, she has overall responsibility for the Operations Department. This was recently expanded to include the team members responsible for the direct operational delivery of services related to shows, societies, breeders and accredited

J

acquie Easton’s first job, working at glamorous Bond Street jeweller Asprey, where she was taught to make precise descriptions of individual pieces of jewellery, might seem a job one would want to keep for life and yet, when, after a couple of years, she heard there was a job going at the Kennel Club, data inputting, Jacquie had no hesitation in applying. She explains this as due to her lifelong love of dogs. As a child she knocked on neighbours’ doors and asked to take their dogs for walks, because her parents thought they already had more than enough to do without the added chore of looking after a pet. When she was 16,

her father brought home a German Shepherd puppy he had been given who became a much-loved family member for the next 14 years, but that was the extent of her previous involvement with dogs.

Once she had a home of her own and a partner who worked nights, a rescued Rhodesian Ridgeback soon joined the household, followed by more rescues.

When her first child was born, however, Jacquie decided she wanted the known characteristics of a pedigree dog and chose a Pug. Jacquie admits this was not an ideal breed when she subsequently took her children to Young Kennel Club summer

Photo courtesy of Jacquie Easton

Jacquie and Hugo

Jacquie’s daughter Ella and Stanley the Pug at Young Kennel Club camp, Melton Mowbray, in 2006

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Personality profile

instructors, operations now having over 90 staff working from both the London and Aylesbury offices. It is a fair bet that few members have any idea what that entails.

Photo courtesy of Jacquie Easton

“Most of the new breeders we speak to today want to do the right thing, they want to learn and are aspirational and want to know how they might become an Assured Breeder” “When I go to meetings, I can see committee members wondering who I am and what I do,” she laughs. While the primary service of the Kennel Club is to register dogs, in business mode it provides a very broad range of services and products served by its data, which takes on a sales, operations and marketing standard business approach. Jacquie’s role is to see that core services involving data primarily all work seamlessly together at minimum cost, so that any surplus can go directly back into the stated objective of making life better for dogs, whether for health and research, education or re-investment back into the Club. The Kennel Club today holds significant volumes of dog data. “We are transparent and will only use that dog data in the way we tell you we are using it”, says Jacquie. The development of online channels to share data with registered owners regarding their own dogs started with the launch of MyKC, and plans to be able to expand further in the future remains a goal.

As to placing every registration ever recorded as an open source into the public domain electronically, it is not on the cards, nothing trumps the official Kennel Club pedigree in hard copy.

Talking about her role at the Kennel Club, it is clear that Jacquie is most passionate about educating potential puppy buyers in what she calls ‘Buyer beware’ and ensuring they do their homework and take their time in not only getting the right breed but from a good breeder. Access to information and useful tools is key for breeders as well. “We

worked very closely with the Animal Health Trust in launching Mate Select and that was just the start. We’re learning all the time and sharing information and data is key to both breeders and dog owners, who are becoming increasingly more knowledgeable with access to information so readily available now online. In the past nobody was exposed to, or had access to, information such as inbreeding co-efficiencies, or health test data to be able to make informed choices.

“Most of the new breeders we speak to today want to do the right thing, they want to learn and are aspirational and want to know how they might become an Assured Breeder”.

The breeders operating outside of the Kennel Club are the ones which give cause for

Photo courtesy of Jacquie Easton

Buyer beware

Jacquie’s dogs: Stanley, Spike, Bertie and Hugo

Lawrence the Pug

concern. “There is a risk in placing too many restrictions on registrations as potentially it will drive breeders underground and makes the puppy buyer unknown to us, we then lose contact and the ability to educate and influence” Jacquie adds.

Microchip legislation Petlog has had a variable press lately and Jacquie explains: “Historically, when the Kennel Club took on Petlog we had just two people keying in data and a modem line manned 24/7, to give welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, access to the data for reunification purposes. Like everything else, Petlog evolved over the years to become the largest database. Legislation then created opportunities and new players entered the marketplace, with many new commercial entities setting up competitive businesses.” The introduction of GDPR also brings additional challenges and for Pelog there are certain limits to what they can and cannot do. “Our focus is and always has been around welfare, providing 24/7 reunification services, plus supporting rescue and welfare organisations by provision of free services to support the rehoming process.”

Microchipping is now intensely competitive, whereas before there were less database providers and the majority of chip suppliers used the Petlog database for recording its microchips. The likelihood then was that all of your pets would end up on the same, single database. However the market has become more disparate and for most dog owners,

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Photo: The Kennel Club©

Personality profile

Jacquie in her new office at Clarges Street

they will continue to go to their same vet and not think twice about what database that chip might be recorded on. “We try to encourage the use of Petlog with Kennel Club breeders by provision of free transfer of keepership from breeder to new owners. We want to be able to give them the level of support through the provision of the Petlog reunification service should their dog ever go missing.”

“If people have, say a litter of 10 puppies and get stuck, we all help make suggestions and it becomes a real team effort. It is very quirky and having visited other kennel clubs to see what they do, it is quite unique to us. It is part of our history.” Regrettably, there are still people who think it clever or funny to

label a dog with an obscene name and staff have to be aware of how something might sound if not immediately apparent on the page. “Part of the checks is to always consider the name being approved might one day be the very one the commentator announces as Best in Show”.

If you have ever wondered whether the Registration Department’s naming service is completely computer generated nowadays, the answer is no. “It still remains pretty much a unique, bespoke service with the final approval of a name being completed by staff,” says Jacquie. “And when we are recruiting in this area, one of the things we have to look for is people who are very good with words and grammar and can also visualise words. It is the one job the team either love or hate, excel at, or find it challenging. It’s a dark art, really.”

Naming was one of Jacquie’s earliest jobs and one she loved. There is still the original physical library of books to help, although the internet has pretty much replaced the need.

Some breeders still leave it up to the staff to come up with the actual names and with large litters that can be a bit of a challenge.

Photo courtesy of Jacquie Easton

A dark art

Jacquie (far left) team manager at the Kennel Club in 1998

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Jacqueline Ferris-Woods / The Kennel Club ©

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT) provides grants to various canine organisations nationwide, many of which are involved in the rescue and welfare of dogs. In 2017, the KCCT gave grants totalling nearly £675,000.

Your support is essential to us and by giving whatever you can afford, you can help make a difference for dogs.

The KCCT has three objectives, the funding of: • Science - research into diseases and other health conditions in dogs • Support - The training of dogs to help humans • Welfare - The rescue and re-homing of dogs which need help For further information and to make an online donation, please visit: www.kccharitabletrust.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 327802

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Photo: Heidi Hudson/The Kennel Club©

AGM update

While only 104 members attended last year’s AGM a total of 462 used the online and postal voting systems

Getting down to business Decisions and discussions at the Kennel Club’s AGM

H

igh spring temperatures greeted members of the Kennel Club to Mayfair for the Club’s 2018 AGM to review the performance of its business and Club activities.

In advance of the calling notice, Kennel Club Chairman Simon Luxmoore asked for members not to be alarmed by the armed police outside the Curzon Theatre by reminding members to take note of the venue’s exits in the event of an emergency evacuation. It was, of course, in close proximity to the Saudi Embassy.

The first five items on the agenda were dispatched promptly and without notifications.

Speaking to item 6 on financial matters, on behalf of the Board, Mr Mark Cocozza highlighted the relatively small deficit of £677,000 for the year, explaining that this was as a result of necessary adjustments to the audited accounts.

On the positive side of matters financial, the estate at Emblehope purchased a couple of years ago had made a small surplus, which was expected to rise as its use for trials increased. In answer to an advance question from the membership about the cost of the aborted Chepstow ‘dog centre’ project, withdrawal from this cost the Club £175,000.

New system The new Customer Relations Management (CRM) computer systems, which are currently replacing the outdated systems in Clarges Street and Aylesbury, are costing £1.2m. This, explained Mr Cocozza, has been a necessary step towards meeting the needs of the Kennel Club’s customers, as the new system will centre on the owners and breeders and not dog’s names.

Several other searching questions were skilfully fielded by Mr Cocozza, who, on several occasions, explained that

commercially sensitive information could not be divulged at the meeting in an effort to protect the Kennel Club’s business activities.

Congratulating the Club on its financial success for the year, Mr David Cavill raised the question of the Club’s recent launch of a website on May 1st for judges’ critiques.

Declaring an interest as a director of Our Dogs magazine, Mr Cavill asked whether it was the Kennel Club’s job to offer this as a service to judges and exhibitors when perfectly tried, tested and efficient systems had been in place for over 120 years. He also pointed out that many breed clubs now feature show critiques on their websites and what the Kennel Club was doing was unnecessary duplication.

Checking In reply the chairman explained that staff spent an inordinate amount of time checking on the submission of critiques to the dog

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press. While it was still mandatory for judges to do this in a timely manner, the invitation was there for judges to also register with the Kennel Club website and that many had done so within the first week of May. The chairman also said that the website was the culmination of three years of planning, which started in 2015, and that it was linked closely with the development of the Judges Competency Framework.

Board member Miss Patricia Sutton was called upon to take to the stage to propose the re-election of the current vice presidents, all of whom were retained. In addition, and with pleasure, she proposed the election of Mrs CE (Liz) Cartledge, Mrs H Klassnik, Mr Peter Lewis and Dr Ivor Moss (under Article 33) to Honorary Life Membership and the same honour was conferred on Mrs Ann Bliss, Mr Gerald King, Mrs E Anne Macdonald, Mrs Meg Purnell-Carpenter and Mr Keith AW Young for services to the Kennel Club over many years.

Under item 11 of the agenda, nine directors had to be elected to the Board, eight for a three-year term and one for a one- year term. Retiring this year was Mr Gerald King, under Article 20.1.8, the ‘age rule’ and the chairman paid tribute to his hard work on various committees, particularly as chairman of the Crufts Committee. Appointed to the Board for three years were Mr Tom Mather, Mr Frank Kane, Mr Jeff Horswell, Mr David Guy, Mr Graham Hill, Mr Tony Allcock MBE, Mr Stan Ford, Mrs Sue Garner and, for one year, Mr Paul Rawlings.

Included Addressing the question of the committee composition KC Rule A(B) committees 1.1 (a) Activities composition: Mr Stan Ford proposed the inclusion of representatives from the Rally Working Party and the Heelwork to Music Working Party.

Summarising, he explained that these representatives attend the meetings currently as ‘guests’ and the change would simply formalise this by increasing the number in the committee to 17. The proposal was carried by 589 for, with 26 against.

Proposing a small but significant change to the KC Rule A(B): committees 1.1 (e) Disciplinary composition: Mr Mark Cocozza, wearing his hat as Disciplinary Committee chairman, signaled an additional new section iii), which gave the committee additional powers when acting on breaches of conduct regulations. It was, said one member, an even broader brush, which the Kennel Club could apply to all its licensed events. Nevertheless 97 per cent of all voting members (608) were for with only 19 against.

Photo: ©Northumberland Estates

AGM update

The estate at Emblehope purchased a couple of years ago has made a small surplus, which is expected to rise as its use for trials increases

At the 55 minute mark, the chairman rose to his feet to give a report from the Board and the Club’s activities. A full report of this is carried in the August issue of the Journal as is the report from Mr Gerald King the retiring chairman of the Crufts Committee.

Reporting on the strength and numbers of Kennel Club members, it was interesting to note that the total level had broken through the 1,400 mark to 1,402 for the first time — only 98 to go to reach the current limit. A total of 1,295 of these are ordinary members, 107 overseas and 69 honorary life or honorary members.

There were two items on the agenda from Mr Ron Stewart, the first of which asked whether the skills of the membership were either used to advantage by the Club committees or what mechanisms existed to test these. Addressing this, the chairman explained that the wide-ranging expertise among the committees was fully explored and those with appropriate skill sets were there to represent either their disciplines or their specific commitments to the show scene. Emphasising this, a former Kennel Club chairman explained that on ‘his watch’ this was carefully evaluated and that only then were committee places appropriately allocated.

Mr Stewart’s second concern was the size of the required AGM quorum in the Kennel Club rules, which seemed disproportionate in relation to the level of the membership.

Speaking from the chair, Mr Luxmoore explained that the Board had sought

legal advice on this and that the rule was commensurate with other organisations of a similar size. He also invited members to view screen graphics which indicated the increasing use of online and postal voting over the last four years. While only 104 members attended last year’s AGM, a total of 462 used the online and postal voting systems. In 2016 these figures were split to 193/296, in 2015 to 222/359 and in 2014 to 157/265.

Opening up both items to the members for further comment, there was no interest in taking these further.

The penultimate agenda item 19 came from Miss Jean Lanning who three years ago proposed a Registration Working Party to examine the explosion in crossbreeds.

She also highlighted the demand for non-standard colours in certain breeds and the claims that they are pure-bred. Speaking from the dais, she felt that any updates on progress had been sparse. Replying on behalf of the Kennel Club, Mr Gerald King explained that the findings of the working party had been noted and that, although it had not met in the last two years its concerns were ‘work in progress’ and were recognised at various levels within the Kennel Club. He pointed out that this had been addressed in a prior report presented to members.

There being no matters to discuss under ‘General Business’ the meeting closed at 2.40pm.

The official transcript will be included in the August Kennel Club Journal.

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All photos: ©The Kennel Club

Special feature

Just say what you see!

An insiders view of the ‘Eye for a Dog’ judges’ assessments

By Kathy Gorman

F

our pilot sessions, each of three hours’ duration, took place on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th April 2018, at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park, for the ‘Eye for a Dog’ judges’ assessments; a key component of the Kennel Club’s new Judges Competency Framework (JCF). Judges wishing to judge their first, or additional, breeds at Challenge Certificate level will have to attend and pass an ‘Eye for a Dog’ assessment under the new JCF approval route. The purpose being for judges to demonstrate their competence in canine conformation and movement.

I was delighted, as a Gundog group ‘policy judge’ (one who awards CCs to at least 70 per cent of the breeds in a particular group), to receive an invitation to attend one of these sessions. The invites were sent out to all policy judges and those who had achieved high results in a multiple-choice

breed standard exam run by one of the JCF pilot breeds. I understood from this that the Training Board wished to cover a wide range of judging experience to see how well the assessment stood up to testing at all levels.

The cost for this pilot assessment was at the reduced price of £20 and we were required to sign up via the Kennel Club online shop. There were 18 places for each session, making a total of 72 candidates and I was amazed to find out that all places were filled within three days. This was obviously something which invited judges were very keen to experience.

I think the main concern for us all, as we arrived, was the fear of the unknown despite the fact that we had previously been sent a link to the Kennel Club’s 23-page document on the Code of Best Practice for an ‘Eye for a Dog’ assessment.

Once registered, we were taken into a seminar room and given a short presentation

by Adrian Marett, supported by Jeff Horswell, the Chairman of the JCF Working Party, about how the session would be conducted, during which it was stressed that no pre-knowledge of breed standards or breed specifics were required. As an example, a photo of a Field Spaniel was shown, explaining that we would only be required to say things such as it was ‘a brown dog’ and was ‘longer than it was tall’ rather than go into ‘correct height to length ratio’, ‘coat of a nice rich liver colour’.

The phrase ‘say what you see’ was reiterated many times and we were continually told that we were not to include words such as ‘correct’, ‘required’ etc. in our critiques or make subjective comments such as “I would prefer a more angulated …..” On discussing this with experienced judges after the assessment, many said that they found it very difficult not to write about breed specifics, particularly if they were looking at

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Special feature

Officials on the day, from left right, Dr Ruth Barbour, Kennel Club Accredited Trainer, Gerald King, Training Board Chairman and Accredited Trainer, Frank Kane, Kennel Club Board member, Kimmo Mustonen, Finnish Kennel Club Board member and Chairman of the Finnish Kennel Club’s Show and Judges Committee, Christine McHardy, Adrian Marett, education and training team, Jeff Horswell, Chairman of the JCF Working Party and Iris Thompson-Burton, education and training team

a breed with which they were very familiar.

We were informed that we had nine dogs of different breeds to assess and that we would be working in pairs (although not communicating with each other), and that we were to ‘write what we saw’ in relation to movement, head and neck, forequarters, body (to include proportions, coat and colour) and hindquarters. We would also be assessed on how we were attired and how

“I’m sure that the more novice judges, especially those who only judge their own breed, must have found the assessment quite challenging...” we conducted ourselves when approaching and going over the dogs. This part of the assessment was conducted by Gerald King, the Training Board Chairman and Dr Ruth Barbour. Both are Kennel Club Accredited

Trainers and they continually walked around the room making notes during the assessments.

Jeff concluded his presentation by giving us the opportunity to ask questions and it was clear that the main concern for a lot of the candidates was the ability to correctly recognise the breeds. However, we were assured that there was only one point for each correct breed identified plus a bonus point if all nine were correctly identified - a total of 10 points out of a possible total of 300!

We then moved into the large hall where the nine dogs were moved one at a time and we all observed them together, making notes on what we saw. Then we were assigned, in pairs, to one of the nine stations, to go-over and assess the dog and write notes on what we found. After a certain amount of time, about 11 minutes I believe, we were instructed to move clockwise on to the next exhibit and hand in our notes of the previous dog. These notes were then marked throughout the session, in a separate room, by the three assessors, comprising of Kimmo Mustonen, Chairman of the Finnish Kennel Club’s Show and Judges Committee and a member of the Finnish Kennel Club Board, Jeff Horswell and Frank Kane, both of whom are Kennel Club Board members and experienced Best in Show judges.

The temptation was always there, as in breed assessments, to write too much. I’m sure that the more novice judges, especially those who only judge their own breed, must have found the assessment quite challenging, if only because of having to go

over breeds of dogs with which they were totally unfamiliar. This however, would have been a great learning opportunity for them and would really help them on the path to eventually judging variety classes at open show level.

After examining all of the nine dogs, the assessment came to an end; there was no question, at any time, of placing or grading the dogs in any way as, after all, we were not judging them against a breed standard, all we were required to do was ‘say what we saw’.

I found the whole exercise very interesting, requiring a lot of intense concentration, and also mentally exhausting having to write notes and hand them in as soon as they were completed on each dog; a view shared by many of the candidates.

As a first pilot, I felt it ran very well although I’m sure that there will be quite a bit of ‘tweaking’ to do before the next set of sessions.

KATHY GORMAN Kathy Gorman has bred, shown and worked Brittanys and Welsh Springers under the Walgoreg kennel name since 1982. As well as being a KC Accredited Trainer in conformation and movement she also awards CCs in 20 gundog breeds and judges the group at championship level. She has also been managing director of Fosse Data Systems since 1994

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Photo: ©The Kennel Club

Special feature

By Jeff Horswell, Chairman of the JCF Working Party Many people have long felt that there was a gap in the Kennel Club’s ‘generic’ judges training, where there was an excellent Conformation and Movement seminar, but no comprehensive test of their knowledge, unlike for the Rules and Regulations (Requirements of a Dog Show Judge exam). This is understandable and I’m sure when the current structure was put together almost 20 years ago, it was considered, but the problem was just how to devise a test beyond the fairly simple Points of the Dog Assessment that is part of the current Judges Training Programme.

The Scandinavian countries are known for the rigour of their judges training and it was decided to look there for a possible solution. The Finnish Kennel Club seemed to have just the thing we were looking for in its ‘Eye for a Dog’ test.

In Finland you have to pass this test to be considered for the judges training programme.

It seemed that luck was on our side, the Finns were in London last summer for the World Congress of Kennel Clubs, so I was able to meet with them to discuss their test, and the possibility of the Kennel Club using it. They only hold tests every three years (which is the starting point of their judges training programme), and again luck was on our side – their next test was September 2017, so two members of the Kennel Club education and training team were able to attend.

Their feedback was excellent. The Finns were more than helpful, and we were able to adapt their test to suit the British situation. The Finns have continued to assist us, and have provided some very useful guidance.

Feedback from candidates on the first pilot assessments has been excellent; some tweaks have been identified, but the concept of testing knowledge and getting judges to think in a different way seems to have received a big thumbs up.

By Adrian Marett, education and training team With no precedent in the UK for such an assessment, the education and training team had to develop a Code of Best Practice for the ‘Eye for a Dog’ event, plan the logistics and how these would be implemented. Breed-specific seminars and Judges Development Programme assessments have not been conducted on the same scale as the ‘Eye for a Dog’ assessment.

Invites were sent to all candidates who had passed a multiple-choice breed standard exam (at one of the Judges Competency Framework breed appreciation days run by one of the 14 pilot breeds) and those group judges who award CCs to over 70 per cent of breeds in a group, shortly after Crufts.

Within 72 hours all 72 places held over the two days had been booked with a long waiting list for those unable to secure a place. There was certainly enthusiasm for the assessment.

Sourcing a selection of dogs to cover all groups, sizes and coat types was always going to be challenging. Using the contacts of the education and training team, owners and handlers were approached and we were very grateful to all those who were more than willing to be part of this pilot. In fact, some offered their assistance before they were approached.

Over the two days we had a selection of good specimens who were requested to be in show condition. All dogs were experienced in the show ring, and had suitable temperaments to withstand numerous hands-on assessments.

Adequate breaks were provided throughout, with dogs only taking part in one session over the two days.

Feedback from the handlers was extremely positive on the whole which the Kennel Club will review in more detail for future discussion.

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The Kennel Club launches a new service for judges and exhibitors Judges’ Critiques is a free, online service for judges to submit their critiques. Judges can now easily publish their critiques from anywhere.

Exhibitors and members of the public can now view all published critiques, for free, in one place.

Visit kcjudgescritiques.org.uk to submit or view a critique today Judges_Critique.indd 1

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Photo: ©Animal Health Trust

What if it’s cancer?

Chemotherapy can give your dog an increased quality of life

By Gay Robertson “

I

couldn’t put him through chemo,” is an understandable first reaction on learning that a dog has cancer, particularly if the owner has seen someone close to them going through the treatment, but it is not the same for dogs. With one in two people born since 1960 expected to get cancer at some stage of their lives, and nearly as many dogs,

chemotherapy is set to become part of everyday life.

One thing that is not widely understood is that whereas in human medicine, the prime object is to save life, in veterinary medicine there is more of a trade-off between longevity and quality of life. Chemotherapy is not the aggressive treatment it can be for people and most dogs suffer no serious side

effects during treatment and if they do, the medicine can be changed or adjusted. The object is to make the dog feel better from the start and hope to achieve remission — a state where there is no sign of the disease in the body — until the cancer returns, which it will do. There is no absolute cure and some cancers respond better to chemotherapy than others. The story of

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Health matters

Leeds Best in Show winner Sh Ch Laceway Lone Ranger, who returned to the ring after four months of chemotherapy to take the top spot aged seven (featured in the May 2018 issue of the Kennel Gazette), is an unusual one on several counts but research is ongoing as to why some breeds and some cancers can respond so much better than others to treatment. Meanwhile, in every case, there is much to consider before deciding to accept or decline chemotherapy.

What is involved?

Photo: ©Animal Health Trust

Is this a definite diagnosis or do tests need to be done? Is surgery involved? It may be that your vet has already removed a skin tumour or small lump and the biopsy has revealed it to be malignant, or the dog has been off-colour for some days and now the glands are sticking out like golf balls, so although nothing may be showing on a blood test, it almost certainly has lymphoma.

Any kind of treatment is best determined and given by an oncologist, a cancer specialist, and, in the case of lymphoma, speed is of the essence. For other cancers, such as mast cell or osteosarcoma, surgery is usually the first option but if they are inoperable, chemotherapy may be indicated as a palliative to restore a better quality of life. The first step is to have a serious conversation with your vet, preferably before

Receiving chemotherapy treatment

leaving the surgery even if it means waiting while other patients are seen, and before starting a course of prednisolone if you are willing to consider chemotherapy.

Ask your vet what treatment would mean for your particular dog, taking its age and current health status into consideration.

An old dog with a heart murmur might be a better candidate for chemotherapy than a younger one on immunosuppressive drugs or some other medication. Going to a specialist centre for treatment once a week may not be easy for someone in full-time work, especially since although the actual chemotherapy is an injection, usually lasting only a few minutes, time has to be allowed for consultation, blood tests and paperwork, which can easily take an hour. Many dogs get no side effects at all, others may have a temporary loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhoea for a couple of days but all should very quickly feel a lot better than before.

What will it cost?

First, the dog needs to be treated by an oncologist, a cancer specialist with a range of state-of-the-art tools at their disposal and trained staff to deliver the treatment. If there is a tumour, it will have to be removed before ongoing treatment can be delivered. The bill will be in the thousands, more affordable if the dog is insured, and the type of policy can

make a huge difference. The best is the ‘for life’ plan which can be carried on from one year to the next with an annual amount for veterinary fees - if the illness occurs several months into a policy, the following year’s allowance can also be called on to cover the cost, whereas if treatment starts at the beginning of the policy year, the limit may be reached before the hoped for remission starts. In most cases, there will still be a percentage for the owner to pay.

Is it worth it?

Only the owner can make the balance between their relationship with their dog, the undeniable financial cost, and the possible, but not guaranteed, return to health of their pet. Someone whose age or circumstances will preclude them ever having another dog may feel that even another six months of life, as it was before the disease struck, is worth any amount of financial hardship whereas someone whose chief concern is how they are going to tell the children will have another view. There are more than 200 forms of cancer: lymphoma, the most common in dogs, can respond well to chemotherapy; there can be no side effects and the dog can go into remission for some time until another course of treatment is required. For these, there is no question of the owner making the dog suffer for a goal he cannot understand — he will just start feeling better and go on from there.

For others it may not be so straightforward.

The Animal Health Trust is doing research at a molecular level into the DNA of mast cell to discover which will respond to treatment — some will not— and other research is increasing and refining treatment options. Where cost is the deciding factor, with no insurance in place, many of us will feel there is no way we can beg, borrow, or steal the money required — some of the canine cancer websites mention dietary and lifestyle choices that may help.

I have had two dogs die before their time, of lymphoma. In both cases, not having the necessary funds available was the determining factor, although not the only one. Knowing what I know now, I shall make sure that my last dog is insured.

GAY ROBERTSON Gay Robertson’s first dog was a Cocker Spaniel but in 1970 a rescue Whippet led to 20 years as chairman of the Whippet Club, and a lasting enthusiasm for all dualpurpose show dogs

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Special feature

The Irish Setter in art and history The Kennel Club’s art collection contains a number of artefacts featuring the Irish Setter. Here is a small selection of paintings and sculptures Wendover Game

by KC Brown — watercolour, signed and dated 1960 Wendover Game had an enormous influence on the breed, producing many famous champions and CC winners.

Wendover Game was the sire of Sh Ch Scotswood Barabbas, the most influential of his sons.

These Irish Setters were owned and bred by Rev R O’Callaghan who has one of the most successful kennels in the breed. This painting was exhibited at Maud Earl’s first solo exhibition, held at Messrs Graves Galleries, Pall Mall, in 1897.

Photo: ©The Kennel Club

Photo: ©The Kennel Club Arts Foundation

Ch Shandon II and Ch Geraldine II by Maud Earl — oil on canvas, signed

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Special feature

Porcelain models of Menaifron Pat O’Moy

by Frederick Thomas Daws Photos: ©The Kennel Club

This collection of models was designed

by FT Daws, who produced a series of dog figures especially for Royal Doulton. These models can be seen in three sizes: the largest of the set was made between 1931 and 1960, the medium between 1931 and 1985, and the small between 1931 and 1968.

These portraits show two of Mrs Florence Nagle’s Irish Setters. Mrs Nagle worked her Setters from 1920 until the 1960s and she made up a total of 18 field trial champions. Sheilin D’Or was the first Irish Setter to win the Champion Stakes in the field in 1927 and was described as perhaps the best Irish Setter to be seen in the field for some years. Valla D’Or was Mrs Nagle’s first home-bred winner.

Together Valla and Sheilin made a captivating brace, never being beaten in a brace competition.

Photo: ©The Kennel Club

Photo: ©The Kennel Club

FT Ch Sulhamstead Valla D’Or and FT Ch Sulhamstead Sheilin D’Or by Cecil Aldin — pastel, signed

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Special feature

Did you know, there have been four Irish Setter Crufts Best in Show winners?

1981 Ch Astley’s Portia of Rua

1993

Photo: ©The Kennel Club

Sh Ch Danaway Debonair

Sh Ch Scotswood Barabbas by Bill Bryden — oil on canvas, signed Sh Ch Scotswood Barabbas was by Wendover Game and Scotswood Hot Sensation. He was line bred to the great sire and show dog Ch Wendover Beggar. Sh Ch Scotswood Barabbas was whelped in March 1966 and died in June 1970. Considering he was only at stud for such a short time, the percentage of title holders that he sired was very high. He also sired a number of important brood bitches, including Sh Ch Cornevon Primrose, Sh Ch Cornevon Violet, and Sh Ch Rickerscot Bridget Maguire.

Barabbas himself won five CCs with four Best of Breeds and six Reserve CCs.

1995 Sh Ch Starchelle Chicago Bear

Photo: ©The Kennel Club

This model was sculpted by Neil Campbell for Albany Fine China Co Ltd, England and is a limited edition.

Sh Ch Cornevon Stargem was bred by Janice Roberts on January 9th, 1973. He was sired by Sh Ch Twoacres Troilus ex Sh Ch Cornevon Primrose. He won both the CC and Best of Breed at Crufts in 1976.

1999

All photos: ©The Kennel Club

Albany Fine China model of Sh Ch Cornevon Stargem

by Neil Campbell

Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid (the son of Sh Ch Danaway Debonair)

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Special feature

By Bill Moores

A

t the Irish Setter Association, England (ISAE) Championship Show, held at Ascot Racecourse in September 1969, a painting of an Irish Red Setter was presented to Mr Bill Rasbridge as a token of respect, for all he did for the breed. It was held to celebrate the ISAE’s diamond jubilee and the presentation was made by LC ‘Jimmy’ James of the famous Wendover kennel name.

A total of 122 members and friends subscribed to buy the important painting,

by William Osborne RHA. Although simply labelled ‘An Irish Setter exhibited at the RHA’, through his keen knowledge ‘Ras’ knew that this was a portrait of Garryowen, the prolific sire which can be traced back to the ancestry of Irish Setters all over the world, often on several lines.

Bought at auction in Ireland and taken

©Private Collection

Ch Garryowen — daddy of them all!

Ch Garryowen wearing his white metal collar

out of the country only with ‘a lot of difficulty and fast talking’, the painting was in a dirty condition, but was sympathetically cleaned and restored by artist and fellow Irish Setter enthusiast Mr Bill Bryden.

The painting had originally been in the ownership of Col JK Millner, author of ‘The Irish Setter: its history and training’ (the first book dedicated solely to the breed in 1924) and it had been reproduced in his book with the title ‘Ch Garryowen’. It is given that Garryowen was bred and owned by James J Giltrap and whelped in October 1876 and died in 1887. The painting was completed in 1880. Giltrap was also the first secretary of the Irish Red Setter Club founded in Dublin in 1885.

‘Ras’ always considered himself only as the guardian of the painting and this he was for some 25 years. After his death in 1994, and that of his wife Kathleen in 1996, his wish to

return Ch Garryowen to the National Gallery of Ireland was carried out by his daughter Mrs Olwyn Drysdale.

Graciously accepting the gift, the gallery director wrote: “Extraordinarily the gallery does not possess a dog portrait by (William) Osborne, so your picture fills a gap in the collection. How appropriate it should be filled by an Irish Red Setter.” Ch Garryowen was ‘home’.

The famous Garryowen collar complete with medals was sold at two auction firms over two years, firstly in June 2015 with an estimate of £200–£300 and sold for £1,200 at Criterion Auctioneers, then again in June 2017 it went under the hammer at Whyte’s of Dublin auction house, with an estimate of €800–€1,200 and an astonishing hammer price of €6,600! The Kennel Club bid for it in 2017, but comprehensively were outbid due to huge interest in the collar.

The Kennel Gazette contacted Whyte’s of Dublin, who kindly sent this information from when it went up for auction on June 6th 2017.

“A white metal collar engraved ‘Garryowen – The Champion – Irish Red Setter – Owner, JJ Giltrap’ suspended with 23 white metal discs, each engraved with one of Garryowen’s show honours. Worn by Garryowen at the dog show held at the Royal Zoological Society in Dublin in August 1884, where he won first prize in the champion class of Irish Setter dogs.

“Garryowen was born in 1876, bred by HS Moore of Dublin, sired by Champion Palmerston out of Champion Belle. He was owned by James J Giltrap, a law agent. From his first entry in a dog show, he won prizes.

The Chicago Tribune, February 22nd, 1890 wrote about his show career: ‘Champion Garryowen [was] the hero of every bench show in Europe until his death two years ago. Garryowen never had a rival worthy of the name. His record in brief is thirty-seven firsts, both champion and challenge prizes.

He won the Grand Prix de Honeur of the

Belgian Kennel Club as the best of 978 sporting dogs of all breeds, including five champions, eighty first-prize, forty-two second-prize, and fifteen third-prize winners, at Antwerp in 1884.’

“Garryowen now appears in the extended pedigree of nearly every Irish Setter anywhere in the world.

“Garryowen’s portrait was commissioned by Col JK Millner, from William Osborne RHA and is in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

JJ Giltrap was James Joyce’s great-uncle.

Joyce’s Ulysses mentions Garryowen in three of the episodes (‘Cyclops’, ‘Nausicaa’, and ‘Circe’): “.. famous old Irish Red Setter Wolfdog formerly known by the sobriquet of Garryowen”; “Old Garryowen started growling again at Bloom that was skeezing round the door”; “old Giltrap’s dog and getting fed up by the ratepayers and corporators”; “Giltrap’s lovely dog

Private Collection, image and text courtesy of Whyte’s

Lot 43, catalogue 1879–1884 Champion Irish Red Setter Garryowen, his show collar

Garryowen that almost talked it was so human”.

“Spillane’s was a well-known Limerick family of tobacco manufacturers, established in 1829, which named its plug tobacco after the famous dog. The logo for the brand shows him resplendent in the collar decorated with some of his prize medals.

Large metal advertising signs featuring the logo and the words ‘Smoke Garryowen Plug it satisfies’ were a familiar sight all over Ireland.”

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Irish Setter breed standard

Photo: ŠPawsword Photography/Laura Kolbach

Irish Setter breed standard 24 July 2018 - Kennel Gazette

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Irish Setter breed standard

Breed standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE Must be racy, balanced and full of quality. In conformation, proportionate.

CHARACTERISTICS Most handsome and refined in looks, tremendously active with untiring readiness to range and hunt under any conditions.

TEMPERAMENT Demonstrably affectionate.

Photo by D.M. Gardner

T

he breed was called the Red Setter as it differentiated it from the other two Irish breeds: the traditional Red and White and the rarely seen Hail Setter, which had white ticks in its red coat and is now believed to be extinct.

Selective colour breeding and some outcrossing to get a racier build and longer head resulted in a dog which was glamorously coated, lighter in bone and finer in the head than its cousins. The breed became a great success in the show ring in the mid19th century and overtook the Irish Red and White Setter in popularity.

MOUTH Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK Moderately long, very muscular but not too thick, slightly arched and free from all tendency to throatiness, setting cleanly without a break of topline into shoulders.

FOREQUARTERS Shoulders fine at points, deep and sloping well back. Forelegs straight and sinewy having plenty of bone, with elbows free, well let down and not inclined either in or out.

HEAD AND SKULL

Photo: ŠPawsword Photography/Laura Kolbach

Head long and lean, not narrow or snipy, not coarse at the ears. Skull oval (from ear to ear) having plenty of brain room and well-defined occipital protuberance. From occiput to stop and from stop to tip of nose to be parallel and of equal length, brows raised showing stop. Muzzle moderately deep, fairly square at end. Jaws of nearly equal length, flews not pendulous, nostrils wide. Colour of nose dark mahogany, dark walnut, or black.

EYES Dark hazel to dark brown, not too large, preferably like an unshelled almond in shape, set level (not obliquely), under brows showing kind, intelligent expression.

BODY Chest as deep as possible, rather narrow in front. Ribs well sprung leaving plenty of lung room and carried well back to muscular loin, slightly arched. Firm straight topline gently sloping downwards from withers.

HINDQUARTERS Wide and powerful. Hind legs from hip to hock long and muscular, from hock to heel short and strong. Stifle and hock joints well bent and not inclined either in or out.

FEET Small, very firm; toes strong, close together and arched.

EARS Of moderate size, fine in texture, set on low, well back and hanging in a neat fold close to the head.

TAIL Of moderate length proportionate to size of body, set on just below the level of the back;

strong at root tapering to a fine point and carried as near as possible on a level with or below the back.

GAIT/MOVEMENT Free flowing, driving movement with true action when viewed from front or rear, and in profile, showing perfect co-ordination.

COAT On head, front of legs and tips of ears, short and fine; on all other parts of body and legs of moderate length, flat and as free as possible from curl or wave. Feathers on upper portion of ears long and silky; on back of fore and hind legs long and fine. Fair amount of hair on belly, forming a nice fringe which may extend on to chest and throat. Feet well feathered between toes. Tail to have fringe of moderately long hair decreasing in length as it approaches point. All feathering to be as straight and flat as possible.

COLOUR Rich chestnut with no trace of black. White on chest, throat, chin, or toes, or small star on forehead or narrow streak or blaze on nose or face not to disqualify.

FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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Irish Setter judges’ choice

Alister Watt ■ Shenanagin

Eve Gardner ■ Carnbargus

As a schoolboy I acquired my first Irish Setter in 1970 and then Sh Ch Cornevon Lovebird arrived in 1971, gaining his title in 1973. Two of his first three CCs were won at Dumfries and Leicester, sadly no longer championship shows. In total he won 15 CCs including Crufts in 1974, and 10 RCCs. Along with my wife, Catherine, we have owned or bred 10 UK show champions including three group winners and several other CC and RCC winners. I served on the Irish Setter Club of Scotland committee for 40 years, retiring as chairman in 2012 and at present I am the honorary president. I awarded CCs for the first time in 1985, at Crufts in 1995 and, in July 2018 I will award CCs for the 21st time.

My first Irish Setter was born in 1962. She was followed by her half-brother, my first show champion, Carnbargus Hartsbourne O’Brady, born in 1966, and all subsequent Carnbargus go back to him. I am honoured to have been asked for my opinion for a third time. In 1995, I placed Sh Ch Kerryfair Night Fever first and Sh Ch Caspians Night Music was joint second with Sh Ch Hartsbourne Starlight. Now, the brief has changed and, as I had never judged Starlight, I cannot include her here. In 2007 Intrepid overtook Night Fever as my top choice with Night Music in third place and this is how they have remained in 2018.

Irish Setters have been at the forefront of dealing with the hereditary eye problems that have afflicted the breed and DNA tests have now made eradication very easy. However, we still do not have the answers to other very serious issues, such as bloat and epilepsy.

1Sh Ch Danaway Debonair

3Sh Ch Caspians Night Music Photo: ©Alan V Walker

This fabulous boy was a real stunner, with super conformation and built on flowing lines. He was sound, racy, had a gorgeous head and expression and moved true. Add in an excellent, lustrous coat and first-class presentation and he was a real force with star q quality. y I awarded him the first of his 27 CCs. His stud career ended prematurely after two litters, when he proved to be a carrier of canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD). However, in one of these litters, he produced Caskeys Persuader from Amberlight who was clear of CLAD, and he sired five very influential UK show champions.

Another great dog, in the show ring and as a producer. The winner of 26 CCs and a wonderful laster, he won his final CC at the age of 11. He sired 23 show champions. There was something essentially ‘Irish’ about him, which is so difficult to define. Happy on the move, he used his tail well. As he was an outcross, his contribution to the very narrow gene pool was of significance.

Photo by R Willbie

3Sh Ch/Ir Sh Ch Amberlight Firecracker JW

Kerryfair 2ShNightCh Fever

Her choice makes it a family affair, as she was Intrepid’s mother and a Night Fever daughter. A substantial bitch, she was utterly feminine and of great quality with a classic head and sweet expression.

When on form, she was impressive on the move, covering her ground effortlessly. As a Night Fever daughter and granddaughter,, she was line bred, allowing her to stamp her type on her progeny.

Photo by Claire Prangle

Like my other choices, Kennedy was so well constructed, had super breed type and was always presented in tip-top condition.

He had many tussles with Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid, Sh Ch Starchelle Chicago Bear and Sh Ch Shenanagin n Stockbroker in a particularly strong era. He had the best male head that I have judged, with so much work, chiselling hiselling and wonderful Irish eye and expression. As a sire he was exceptional and was runner up allbreeds to Intrepid in 2001 – what an achievement for Irish Setters.

Photo: ©Johnson

2Sh Ch Thendara Kennedyy

For me, he completely embodied the standard of the breed: ‘Irish Setters must be racy, balanced and in conformation proportionate.’ He certainly was all of that! I admired his free-flowing movement and his great charisma.

The breed CC recordholder, he was also the sire of 24 show champions, making him the most successful Irish Setter in history – an easy choice to place him first again. A closely bred dog, with Sh Ch Kerryfair Night Fever as a double grandsire, his offspring were of very even type and easily identifiable.

Photo: ©Hartley

ntrepi nt p d JW 1Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid Photo: ©David Dalton

What an exceptional dog Debonair was; he holds a truly unique place in the world of dog showing. Not only did he win BIS at Crufts in 1993, he held the breed record of 40 CCs, (including an 18-month absence from the ring). He also sired Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW who won BIS at Crufts in 1999 and then took the CC record from rom his dad. dad Will this ever be repeated in any breed? His superb conformation and balance enabled him to move effortlessly and he totally dominated the ring. I never saw him put in a below par performance and he was handled to perfection by Jackie Lorrimer.

26 July 2018 - Kennel Gazette

26-30 Judges Choice NF.indd 26

12/06/2018 14:21

Irish Setter judges’ choice

Brenda Berry ■ Brinara

Marita Bott ■ Bardonhill

I have owned Irish Setters since 1965 when my first puppy was bought as a family pet. I started showing in 1971 with Brenrue Moselle of Brinara who became the foundation bitch of my small, family kennel. In the last 20 years, Lynn Morris became a partner in the kennel; we have owned some beautiful dogs and enjoyed many successes. I also served on the committee of the Midlands Irish Setter Society for more than 10 years and had the honour of being chairman of the club for a number of those years. My first championship show judging appointment was at LKA in 1984. Since then I have awarded CCs in 17 UK appointments including Crufts in 2002 and have also judged in Germany, Holland and Belgium.

It has been a very difficult task to select three dogs from the long list of quality dogs I have judged in the past 34 years, however, I consider these dogs not only to be outstanding in quality and type but they have left an enduring mark on the breed.

I was born in Leicestershire and my first Irish Setter whelped in 1970. My kennel name, Bardonhill, was registered in 1973 and named after the area where I lived. Most of my current dogs descend from a lovely bitch purchased in 1978 from Barbara Birch, Moyna April at Bardonhill. To date I have bred nine UK show champions, owning two more from other kennels.

Sh Ch Caspians Night Music

3

Bred and owned by Mike and Sue Oakley and born in 1988, she went on to win 14 CCs and held the Irish Setter Breeders Club trophy for Best Brood Bitch for seven years.

She was also the dam of my first choice, Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW. I was lucky enough to judge her on three occasions, first awarding her Best Bitch Puppy at Bournemouth in 1989, RCC at Midlands Irish Setter Society in 1991 and the CC at LKA in 1994. She was of classic type, balanced throughout, excelling in elegance, with a beautiful, feminine head and expression. She had a stunning outline. I loved her.

Photo by the late Mike Oakley

Bred by Alister Watt in 1996 and owned

by Marita Bott, ‘Travis’ gained many accolades in the show ring including 14 CCs, 12 with BOB and seven RCCs, and three BISs. He sired five show champions, including our own Sh Ch Brinara Back Seat Driver, and he features in the pedigrees of many of today’s winning dogs. I was privileged to award him the CC and BOB at Crufts in 2002. He stood out for his quality and elegance and looked good from all angles, from his lovely head to his sound, easy movement, which gave him a real ‘look at me’ presence.

Photo by Claire Prangle

2

A beautiful bitch and top winner in her day with 19 CCss and two RCCs, she was owned d

by John and Sheila Hall, bred

by Jim and Priscilla Smith and whelped in 1991. Sired by Sh Ch Barnaby of Wesbere at Cressway ex Reddins Harriet, a refined and beautifully elegant Irish with no trace of coarseness. Her sound flowing movement made her a very hard exhibit to beat in the show ring. Myrna whelped just two litters, the first to Reddins Harvey and the second to Sh Ch Konakakela Zagar by Romarne.

Photographer unknown

Ch Reddins 2ShMyrna

Sh Ch Shenanagin Some Might Say It’s Bardonhill JW

q 3Sh Ch Marksway Marquis

A dog whelped in 1988, bred

by Martin and Val Russell and owned by Bonnie Andrews, sired by Andana Jake ex Andana Super Noodle. He was a handsome and rugged boy full of Irish character, a great showman and a stylish mover.

During his career he won 27 CCs, 23 BOBs, 26 RCCs, three group wins, i seven BISs, BIS one RBIS and d BOB at Crufts in 1997 from veteran. He was sire of four show champions.

Photographer unknown

This dog, known as ‘JJ’, is one of the all-time greats in the breed. Bred by Mike and Sue Oakley and owned by Jackie Lorrimer, he became the breed record-holder, winning 77 CCs, 34 RCCs, seven BIS general championship shows including a famous BIS at Crufts in 1999, 20 groups and winner of All-Breeds Dog World Stud Dog of the Year in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He sired 24 UK show champions plus several overseas champions. JJ took the eye whenever he entered the ring, exuding quality with unique ring presence. He had a classic head with melting expression, which typified his lovely nature. With his excellent conformation he moved effortlessly round the ring, always at one with his handler and owner, Jackie Lorrimer – a truly exceptional relationship.

Photo by Claire Prangle

1Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW

Bred by Sandra Chorley-Newton, Newton, born in 1979, sired by Sh Ch Sowerhill Sahib ex Cornevon Spring Melody.

I first saw him at under six months old. Even at this tender age, he possessed a beautifully balanced outline, topline and had the most exquisite, refined chiselled d head. A medium-sized, sound-moving showman with just the right amount of rich, chestnut coat, he was totally free from exaggeration, his balance, shape and elegance stayed within throughout his life and long show career. Night Fever dominated the ring for a number of years amassing 26 CCs and 11 RCCs. In my opinion, he was one of the few dogs from the past who would still stand up in the show ring today. He was also one of the few prepotent sires we have seen in the breed. He would always stamp his type on his offspring, with beautiful heads and shape.

He sired over 100 litters including many show champions among his offspring. This photo shows him in 1983 at the Irish Setter Association, England Championship Show.

Photographer unknown

1Sh Ch Kerryfair Night Fever

July 2018 - Kennel Gazette 27

26-30 Judges Choice NF.indd 27

12/06/2018 14:22

Irish Setter judges’ choice

Jill Holley ■ Wynjill

Linda King ■ Kirkavagh

How lucky was I! My parents bought Cornevon Tranquil in 1971 primarily as a pet. Janice Roberts (Cornevon) suggested that I show the bitch and Janice became a great friend and mentor.

In 1972, Janice bred a litter by Sh Ch Cornevon Snowstorm ex Sh Ch Cornevon Violet and I was lucky enough to buy Cornevon Woodsprite, who became my first show champion. On Janice’s advice, Tranquil was mated to Margretwoods Caretaker of Scotswood and she produced Sh Ch Red Robin who won BOB at Crufts in 1979, he will always be my favourite Irish Setter. I have awarded CCs in the breed 20 times and to the three dogs I have chosen I have given a CC and BOB. I consider them to be wonderful examples of the breed - they would all win in the show ring today and I would like to think that I have not strayed too far from the type I had in the early days. If you trace their pedigrees they all go back to Cornevon lines. Irish Setters on the whole are a healthy breed. The Animal Health Trust provides DNA screening schemes and the hip dysplasia scheme is available through the BVA/KC.

Steve and I have owned Irish Setters since 1973 and made up 14 show champions, 13 of whom are home bred. I first awarded CCs in 1994 and was privileged to judge bitches at Crufts in 2010. I have seen many changes to shape and presentation. Too many exhibits now lack the unique feature - a gently sloping topline, something only a few breeds, and certainly no other setter breed requires.

A ‘one standard fits all’ attitude has developed for judging the four setter breeds, which benefits none of them. Each is unique and there should be no fusion. Presentation has become overpowering and intense and too often triumphs over actual quality.

I have judged some beautiful dogs in the UK and Europe and twice in the Southern Hemisphere. I have never been a ‘head’ judge, it is the ‘icing on the cake’, but a head is nothing without sound body and limbs and a certain style. The perfect dog has yet to be born on either side of the equator.

Spr Ch/Spl Gr Ch Lanascol 1NZ Question Answered d

2Sh Ch Danaway Debonair

2Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW Photo: ©David Dalton

Bred by Brian and Mary Gurney, this outstandingg dogg won 40 4 CCs in his career, the pinnacle of which came when he went BIS at Crufts in 1993. Watching ‘DD’, as he was known, with his owner Jackie Lorrimer striding across the green carpet, sent shivers down my spine. He had the most superb head and expression and a free-flowing, driving movement viewed from all angles. He sired Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW who won a total of 77 CCs and is the current breed record holder – he also went BIS at Crufts in 1999.

The UK breed record-holder, I only judged him as a precocious junior, and he did all to ruin his chances that day. However, his obvious quality, beautiful construction, correct topline and sound, fluid movement were always there to see. I used him at stud many times and he produced some beautiful children for me; his clean outline, quality and style always came through.

3Sh Ch Reddins Myrna Photo by the late Mike Oakley

3Sh Ch Caspians Night Music

This bitch, the dam of Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW, was awarded the CC and BOB when I judged her at Setter & Pointer in 1994 and went BIS. Bred by Sue and Mike Oakley, Music had the most beautiful head, dark eye, raised brow and soft, melting expression.

She had good length of neck, excellent front assembly and great hindquarters, with good width and strength. She was a joy to watch on the move and effortlessly covered the ground.

I have no hesitation in making my first choice, New Zealand Supreme Champion and Specialty Grand Champion Lanascol Question Answered, quite the best Irish Setter I have judged.

Just 14 months old at the time, but already a champion, I found her stunning, unning her quality and elegance, elegance correct size, construction and topline, beautiful clean outline, balance and ultrasound, stylish driving movement were already obvious. Her many successes over a long period more than confirmed my opinion that she would have a big future. For me she struck the perfect balance between the continents, and I would have loved to have her competing in the UK.

Photo: ©The Kennel Club

I judged this wonderful dog as a puppy and so remember wishing he was mine. I later awarded him a CC and BOB. He won a total of 26 CCs in his illustrious career. ‘Mack’, as he was known, had the most wonderful Irish temperament. He was an outstanding example of the breed standard and sired a total of 23 show champions.

Photographer unknown

1Sh Ch Kerryfair Night Fever

I found her at a breed open show ass a yearling who I believe had never won a thing. In agreement with my co-judge she won BIS that day and d the rest, as they say, is history.

I also gave her the ninth of her 19 CCs. Solid, sound, feminine, elegant, really well-made with undeniable quality and style, she was slightly different to the two above, but a good dog is a good dog regardless of its genre.

28 July 2018 - Kennel Gazette

26-30 Judges Choice NF.indd 28

12/06/2018 14:22

Irish Setter judges’ choice

Pat Butler-Holley ■ Shandwick

Rita Pike ■ Scarletti Irish Setters

Thendara 1ShDonChCorleone

1Sh Ch Caspians Intrepid JW Photo: ©Colin N Waddell

2Sh Ch Bardonhill Kiss-A-Gram

2Sh Ch/Int Ch Copper’s Magiska Under Photo by the late Mike Oakley

My second choice is a bitch born 27th April 1985 (Sh Ch Kerryfair Night Fever ex Moyna April at Bardonhill).

Bred by Marita Bott, and winner of four CCs, I have chosen her for her lovely breed type and positive movement. She had great ring presence, which is hard to find, and her head was an absolute dream with much work and melting expression so desired.

Her attitude and easy manner was there for everyone to see. I wish her type was more present in today’s bitches, with correct balance, shape and gleaming coat. Her lines are still influencing this clever kennel.

Owned and bred by Camilla Ostman in n Sweden. I judged this dog as a junior in Sweden, in 2010, and thought then what a fabulous young dog he was; nothing overdone, just a great example of the breed. I was then and still am totally captivated by him.

I have never had the opportunity of awarding him a CC but did award him top honours in the Gundog Group at the WKC b by gaining i i Group G 4. From his nose to his tail, he shouts Irish Setter. As a stud dog he has produced many top winners with more to come. For me he has certainly passed his many breed virtues on to his progeny to whom I have had the delight of awarding them CCs and RCCs.

Ch/Ir Sh Ch Amberlight 3ShFirecracker JW

Ned/Lux/Ger Ch Harvey of the Hunter’s Home

Photo ©Linda Baldry

3

Born 21st June 1985 (Sh Ch Twoacres Gold Eagle ex Kerryfair Solitaire), bred by Piet Roks in the Netherlands, I was impressed when I saw him as a very young dog and d watched him mature into a great champion. He had a handsome head and was magnificent on the move with his expert handler/breeder. He has greatly influenced the well-established Vicary and Lordly Kennels in Belgium. Unfortunately, he was only shown on the continent.

Bred by Sue and Mike Oakley, his show career has never been equalled and possibly never will be, winning 77 CCs over many years. I judged him in 1998 at the Irish Setter Association, England show and had the pleasure of awarding him the DCC and BIS. A dog of good overall exceptional balance so full of breed type. His head was a delight, showing all the aspects required equired to give that true Irish expression, the best of outlines, nothing overdone in any department, totally free from exaggeration. It was very hard to get past him, his movement was powerful, however what always amused me was he did enough in the breed to win, but when he went into the group rings he stepped up a gear as he simply enjoyed himself at that level, a true showman in every way. His wins are many, winning the title of BIS at Crufts in 1999, following on from his sire’s achievement back in 1993. He was also a great stud dog producing many champions along the way.

Owned by Paula Lucas, I had the delight in being able to award him the CC and BIS at the Irish Setterr Club of Scotland show in 2004. He demanded my attention, he had the most beautiful head, not overdone as are many today. As he got older, the flecks of grey appeared and this just added to his head and expression. His movement was a pleasure easure to see; free-flowing, and powerful. The winner of 27 CCs, 21 RCCs and numerous BISs at breed club shows and many other group placings. As a stud dog he produced two litters. Then we as a breed had the benefit of a health test for CLAD which unfortunately for the breed he was found to be a carrier.

Photo by Claire Prangle

Born 14th January 2000 (Scarletti Smooth Criminal ex Greer Paige of Thendara), bred by Dee and Jeremy Bott, he was the winner of 23 CCs, top Irish Setter 2005, BOB at Crufts in 2006 and 2007, plus four BISs. This handsome male was outstanding as a puppy.

He had such a command of the ring from the start of his fantastic career; fabulous head and body shape on the most excellent feet and legs; wonderful coat and colour, heart stopping movement, a true champion. The most well-known son of his was Sh Ch/Int Ch Sumaric Shadow of Mr Jingles, who was a great winner on the continent and gained his UK title. His lines continue to the present day.

Photo by the late Mike Oakley

I acquired my first Irish Setter in 1975, a second followed soon after and from this bitch was the foundation of the Shandwick kennel of Irish Setters. She was exceptionally well bred, but she didn’t like showing; however what she did for me was produce some wonderful top-quality stock. Over the years I have bred and owned eight Irish Setter UK show champions with more overseas. I have awarded CCs in the breed since 1988 and have had the honour of judging bitches at Crufts in 2006. I really enjoy sharing my knowledge with others and regularly deliver seminars on the breed. To choose three from the many I have judged and awarded top honours to has been difficult. To my surprise I have ended up with three males.

Photo: ©Pawsword photography

I have had Irish Setters since 1968 and started showing in late 1970 with Margretwoods Conductress (Sh Ch Scotswood Barabbas ex Bridget of Castleoak) so lucky was I to have one of this special litter. She won a RCC and I was smitten. I have bred several champions here and abroad never breeding frequently as I much prefer showing. My mentors were May and Phil Davis (Castleoak) and I was further influenced by June Coates (Twoacres) and Janice Roberts (Cornevon Irish Setters). I have been fortunate to judge in many far away places and in the UK.

July 2018 - Kennel Gazette 29

26-30 Judges Choice NF.indd 29

12/06/2018 14:22

Irish Setter judges’ choice

I have awarded CCs in Irish Setters 30 times, from 1975 until 2015. I judged Irish Setters at Crufts in 1982 and I have judged many outstanding Irish Setters . Breeders and owners have done much for health. WJ Rasbridge led the way with PRA research in the late 1940s; he found the breed had a major

problem with inherited blindness. He identified the cause, thought out and implemented a breeding control scheme. All well before the era of DNA tests. Irish Setters have three DNA tests, the Kennel Club has registration controls for two, no Irish Setter can be registered without clear status. The third test is for PRA-rcd4, which is a late onset blindness.

raabb bas 1Sh Ch Scotswood Barabbas

2Sh Ch Reddins Ferdinandd

Born 4th September 1984, sired

by Sh Ch Kerryfair Night Fever ex Sh Ch Sorrel of Andana of Reddins and bred and owned by James and Priscilla lla Smith. I awarded him his second CC C and in all he won 21 CCs and the Crufts ufts group in 1989. I remember his perfect ct balance, substance and the impression of raciness. What impressed ssed with ith his head was as his muzzle correctly square at the end, those lovely eyes and his true temperament showed through his eyes and expression. He felt correct as your hands went over him: wide powerful quarters, short hocks, correct coat texture and colour. His movement correct in profile, true action front and rear.

Photo: ©Rita Bryden

3Sh Ch Cornevon Primrose

She was born 10th February 1968, sired by Sh h Ch Scotswood Barabbas ex Cornevon Snowbunting, bred and owned by Janice Roberts. The winner of 17 CCs and the dam of four show champions, all feminine ine but not fine: long, lean neck flowing into well laid id shoulders, firm topline sloping from withers to tail, deep body well sprung ribs, racy outline, correct ct angulation. Not exaggerated in any way. She had a well-textured d flat coat of good colour and was a free-flowing and sound mover.

Photo by Cooke

Bred and owned by Rita Bryden, den, he was always described as a lovely headed dog, he was more ore than that, he was the completee package. His conformation was as absolute balance, and substance. ce.

He was masculine without coarseness and the parts flowed ed into each other. His long lean head had a fairly low set ear and nd they were the correct size. Well-defined ll-defined stop, and such expressive eyes; correct shape, dark brown, wn but not too dark. dark That correct muzzle moderately deep, and fairly square at the end; those lovely raised eyebrows with the correct chiselling under the eyes. His temperament was there in his expression and behaviour: quick, alert and active, kindly, happily, naughty, no vice. His neck flowed into correct shoulders, firm topline showed a slight slope from the withers to the quarters and his tail correctly set on slightly below the level of his back. Straight good front feet and his front was narrow but deep; correct depth of brisket with well sprung ribs.

Loins strong, powerful, and again correct balance; not too short or too long. Quarters strong, wide and powerful; good bend of stifle and short hocks. Rich chestnut coat with good texture. Great style and soundness in movement; racy, balanced and full of quality.

Photo by James S. F. Smith

Valerie Foss ■ Elswood

Crufts BOB Winners Irish Setter 1984 – 2018 1984

SH CH CLONAGEERA TARKA

2002

SH CH SHENANAGIN SOME MIGHT SAY IT’S BARDONHILL

1985

CH TIMADON EXCLUSIVE EDITION

2003

SH CH CATALUNA GEE WHIZ

1986

CH TIMADON EXCLUSIVE EDITION

2004

SH CH GWENDARIFF DOM PERIGNON

1987

SH CH FONDADOR CHARLANE

2005

SH CH CARNBARGUS CONGRATULATION

1988

SH CH NAVYLARK NAIAD

2006

SH CH THENDARA DON CORLEONE

1989

SH CH REDDINS FERDINAND

2007

SH CH THENDARA DON CORLEONE

1990

SH CH BARDONHILL KISS-A-GRAM

2008

LESTANNONS MICKY BLUE EYES

1991

SH CH CHANTRYHILL SIR ALYDUKE OF LORLAWD

2009

SH CH GWENDARIFF DOM PERIGNON

1992

DUNNYGASK VITAL SPARK

2010

SH CH SUMARIC SHADOW OF MR JINGLES

1993

SH CH DANAWAY DEBONAIR

2011

SH CH NORTHAMBER JUST CAUSE FOR GLENAVNA

1994

SH CH KONAKAKELA ZIGGY OF STRATHMEAD

2012

SH CH NORTHAMBER JUST CAUSE FOR GLENAVNA

1995

SH CH STARCHELLE CHICAGO BEAR

2013

SH CH NORTHAMBER JUST CAUSE FOR GLENAVNA

1996

SH CH THENDARA OKAY YAA

2014

SH CH MEADWAY MORRISEY

1997

SH CH MARKSWAY MARQUIS

2015

SH CH THENDARA POT NOODLE

1998

SH CH HARREDS POACHER

2016

SH CH THENDARA POT NOODLE

1999

SH CH CASPIANS INTREPID

2017

SH CH FORFARIAN I’M SEXY AN I KNOW IT

2000

SH CH THENDARA KENNEDY

2018

SH CH COPPER’S WAR OF ROSES

2001

SH CH THENDARA THE TOURIST

30 July 2018 - Kennel Gazette

26-30 Judges Choice NF.indd 30

12/06/2018 14:23

Irish Setter judges’ choice

Breed clubs and societies take the welfare of their breeds very seriously and work tirelessly to provide help, support, and homes for dogs in need.

Irish Setter Club of Wales Mrs R Jones

Belfast & District Irish Setter Club

Tel: 01639 891681 irsj@Hotmail.com www.irishsetterclubofwales.co.uk

Mrs D Park

Midlands Irish Setter Society

Tel: 02870 848995 Lestannons1@gmail.com • Belfast and District Irish Setter Club

Ms DF Wilder

Irish Setter Association, England Miss R Box

Tel: 01553 840927 becky.fernstart@gmail.com www.isae.co.uk • Irish Setter Association, England

Irish Setter Breeders Club Mrs DE McDonald

Tel: 01889 505774 diane.mcdonald6@btinternet.com www.isbc.org.uk • The Irish Setter Breeders Club

Irish Setter Club of Scotland Mr BM Marshall

Tel: 01592 260275 brianmarshall@keme.co.uk www.irishsetterclubofscotland.co.uk • Irish Setter Club of Scotland

Tel: 07747 674384 enquires@midlandsirishsettersociety.co.uk www.midlandsirishsettersociety.co.uk • Midlands Irish Setter Society

Irish Setter Club of Scotland Rescue Mrs S Sturrock

Tel: 01674 840820 info@irishsetterclubofscotland.co.uk www.irishsetterclubofscotland.co.uk/rescue • Irish Setter Club of Scotland

North East of England Irish Setter Club

Irish Setter Rescue & Rehome: Part of the Irish Red Setter Rescue Charitable Trust

Mr T Dodds

Ms Geraldine Cove-Print

Tel: 01915 866396 terrydneeisc@aol.com www.irishsetter.org.uk/neeisc.htm • NorthEast Of England Irish Setter Club

Tel: 01299 823794 secretary@israndr.com www.israndr.com Irish Setter Rescue & Rehome

South of England Irish Setter Club

Irish Setter Rescue Group Charitable Trust

Ms WJ King

Tel: 01980 629207 wendykingj@icloud.com www.seisc.co.uk • South of England Irish Setter Club

Ulster Irish Red Setter Club

Mrs MT Hurll

Tel: 01787 248143 info@redsetterrescue.plus.com www.irishsetterrescue.co.uk • Irish Setter Rescue Group Charitable Trust - UK

Miss CE Calvert

Tel: 02881 662821 Cecalvert82@hotmail.com

For further information of breed rescue contacts in your area, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findarescue or contact Anita Tabrett, the Relationship Manager – Welfare & Breed Rescue on 01296 718154 and anita.tabrett@thekennelclub.org.uk

Breed Education Co-ordinator for the Irish Setter Mr R Bott Tel: 01757 611265 richardbott@hotmail.co.uk

Championship Show Judges Irish Setter 2018 East of England Agricultural Society

Mr GR Haran

M

South of England Irish Setter Club

Mr Michael V Launchbury

D

Mr JA Watt

B

Mrs REA Rose-Hay

R

Leeds City & District Canine Association

Mrs C Hogsflesh

M

Paignton & District Fanciers’ Association

Mr Don McCulloch

M

National Gundog Association

Mrs S Tolladay

D

Mrs D Milligan-Bott

B

Bournemouth Canine Association

Mrs S Clifford

M

Welsh Kennel Club

Miss D Fryer

M

Scottish Kennel Club

Miss Anne Douthwaite

M

City of Birmingham Canine Association

Mrs CA Sheldon

M

This information is correct at the time of going to print, however appointments may change due to unforeseen circumstances

July 2018 - Kennel Gazette 31

26-30 Judges Choice NF.indd 31

12/06/2018 14:23

Photo: ©Polarstar Photography/Jan Evans

Style and purpose The dual purpose Irish Setter combines speed and substance with elegant good looks

T

summer are run each year. The summer trial this year is on July 23rd and 24th, the Irish Setter Breed Stake on the first day, is a must to see for lovers of the breed. A full calendar of trials can be viewed on the Kennel Club website. We also hold field trial classes at our championship show.

To train an Irish Setter requires an understanding of the breed. They respond best to doing something to please, and are stubborn and unresponsive if treated harshly or bullied; their spirit can be broken by this kind of treatment. If you ask an Irish Setter to do what you want them to do, rather than tell them what to do, you will go a long way to

understanding the breed.

William Rasbridge wrote of George Abbott, trainer and handler of Mrs Nagle’s Sulhamstead’s: “Irish Setters call for treatment on their own. Methods that produce results with Pointers and the other

Photos: ©Polarstar Photography/Jan Evans

he Irish Setter Association, England (ISAE) was founded in 1908 and is the oldest of the Irish Setter Clubs and the only one to run field trials. From the beginning the ISAE has been dual purpose. Mrs Nagle became its field trial secretary and started the Ruabon trials in 1929. Until she resigned in 1936, the trials were confined to Irish Setters.

They only came to cater for all setting and pointing breeds when WJ Rasbridge succeeded Mrs Nagle as field trial secretary in 1937 and the ISAE went into partnership with the Setter & Pointer Club which still continues today. Two day trials in spring and

©Pawsword/Laura Kolbach

By Rosie Dudley

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Photo: ©Pawsword/Laura Kolbach

setter breeds fail with them. Abbot had an instinctive understanding of the breed and of the special treatment it needed. The complete understanding between dog and handler was always obvious on the moor. His manner of talking to his dogs, or kneeling by them while a competing brace were running and drawing their attention to what was happening, was something which had to be seen.

“To spend time in his company and to listen to his exposition of the art of training gundogs in general, and an Irish Setter in particular, was a memorable experience and an edifying education. He always recognised how much he owed to Mrs Nagle for providing him with the fullest scope for his talents”.

Ch Lynwood Happy as a Lark

Ch Joanma’s Adriano on point

Photo: ©Polarstar Photography/Jan Evans

Photos: ©Polarstar Photography/Jan Evans

Up until 1958 there was only a champion title, all gundogs had to qualify in the field and show ring to gain the title. Many show dogs were referred to as the unofficial title of bench champions. Having the number of CCs required, they were usually sent away to specialist field trial trainers for training to obtain their qualifier. Likewise the field trial dog had to qualify at a championship show.

There were also dual purpose dogs that had achievements in the field and did so with show stock. Type was not as far apart before 1958 as it is today. With the introduction of the Sh Ch and FT Ch titles, fewer and fewer dogs took part in the other disciplines, a divergence seems to have followed from that time. The show type still retains the natural instinct to hunt, but is not nurtured from a young age as would a working puppy

Photo: ©The English Setter Club

Ch Copper’s Wine’n Roses

ex Copper Retford (a Sulhamstead bred bitch). He was owned by Peter Heard and bought as a pet. Initially he was run in field trials with great success, it was suggested to Peter that he should show him. At his first show LKA in 1970 under Owen Jenkins, from the novice class he took the CC and BOB. He went on in 1971 to take the CCs at Crufts under Jo Braddon and at Windsor under Mrs Nicolson, and a RCC at WELKS under LC James. His field trial wins; 1st prize in July 1967 at the Pointer Club, seven 2nd prizes including the Irish Setter Breed Stake in 1965, and the Pointer Club Open Stakes in 1970, where 1st prize was withheld, also 15 other awards. With his son, Pheasant of Dunroon, Adriano won the English Setter Club Brace Trophy in 1971, which was a great achievement, this magnificent silver trophy is now in the collection of the Kennel Club and displayed in the gallery (pictured left).

Two firsts are required to become a field trial champion, so we can see how unlucky he was not to have gained the title. He truly was a dual purpose dog

Photo: ©Peter Heard

who grows understanding his purpose. We have two full champion Irish Setter bitches in the UK today, pictured above and far left.

For a time in the late 1980s, many of the dogs running at trials had become untypical, very small, around 16in at the shoulder, poor in colour and lacking bone and substance; they ran very fast. This is very different from the dogs today, the working Irish type has improved greatly and is a good looking dog, of good size and colour. They are a joy to watch working, showing style and purpose; they continue to run fast too.

The breed today does not truly have dual purpose dogs, although there are some today that aspire to produce them, which perhaps bodes well for the future. The breed has never produced a Dual Champion. The closest we came was Ch Joanma’s Adriano, born 20th March 1965, by Wendover Game

Photo: ©Pawsword/Laura Kolbach

Photo: ©Polarstar Photography/Jan Evans

The working Irish Setter

In November 2017 the first European Championship for Irish Setter on snipe was organised by the Red Setter Club, held in Athlone Ireland, run on peat bog.

Competitors and spectators came from around the world and it was a great success

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Irish Setter judges’ choice

Assured Breeder Scheme Further information can be obtained from the Kennel Club Health and Breeder Services Department Email abs@thekennelclub.org.uk or call 01296 318540 Breed-specific requirements and recommendations, including health screening for the Irish Setter under the Assured Breeder Scheme Breed

Requirements for Health Recommendations for Health Screening of Breeding Stock Screening of Breeding Stock Last updated January 2018 Last updated January 2018

Irish Setter

1) Hip scoring 2) DNA test – CLAD 3) DNA test – PRA (rcd1)

1) Eye Testing – Annual 2) Bitches under two years not to produce a litter

NEXT MONTH Skye Terrier For advertising opportunities within Judges’ Choice please contact andrea.walters@warnersgroup.co.uk Photo: Diane Pearce Collection/The Kennel Club©

Book corner

The Kennel Club Library is Europe’s largest collection of canine literature and this book is a recent addition to its shelves

The curious history of Irish dogs By David Blake Knox (New Island Books) Reviewed by Gay Robertson

Y

ou don’t have to own an Irish breed to enjoy this lively account of Ireland’s nine native breeds.

David Blake Knox writes with wit, knowledge and affection of the four terriers, three gundogs, and two hounds, six of them now vulnerable in their native land. He himself has an impeccable pedigree in the subject since his family were among the first exhibitors of Irish Setters in the 1860s, so his explanations of the changing conformations and functions never grate and his insight into the part politics played in their respective fortunes is revelatory. Humour is not often a feature of breed books but the author’s lightness of touch makes his subject an easy read.

The irony of Nationalist leader Michael Collins and the military attache to the Lord

Lieutenant of Ireland, Captain the Hon. Wyldham-Quin, belonging to the same (Blue Terrier) breed club and attending its show ( judged by a member of the IRA) at a time when there was a £10,000 reward for the capture or death of the former, is not lost and the author is adept at unravelling the most obscure literary allusions. Who knew that the 'mangy mongrel' in James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ — Garryowen — was not only able to sing a traditional Irish air but also referenced a well-known champion red setter, the Celtic revival and half a dozen other aspects of what Joyce termed the ‘nightmare’ of Irish history. Other literary figures include Samuel Becket, Brendan Behan and the American Jack London, who became so attached to an Irish Terrier he met in the South Seas, he stole it.

For all its unfailing entertainment value, this is a serious dog book, dealing with many contemporary issues. Breed enthusiasts, while recognising some of the heroes of their dogs’ history may gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding them while those whose interests lie in other breeds will also find something of value. One could wish for more and better photographs than the 12 pages bound into the centre of the book, presumably for economic reasons but their lack does not detract from what is essentially a book to be read and enjoyed rather than looked at, and one that certainly demands more than one reading.

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