Setter

In the UK, the four setter breeds, together with the pointers, usually form a subgroup within the gundog group as they share a common function.

[citation needed] The American and Canadian Kennel Clubs classify these breeds within the Sporting Group.

[6] This group of dogs combines beauty, brains and bird sense; the early setter breeds are believed to have been developed as far back as the 15th century in the UK.

They are fast, stylish game-finding dogs with a unique history and evolution for the single purpose of finding game birds.

[8] Writing in 1576 Dr Johannes Caius states "There is also at this date among us a new kind of dogge brought out of Fraunce, and they bee speckled all over with white and black, which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe".

Argue speculates this may be a description of the blue belton colour found in English setters.

[8] The first official dog show held in the UK was at Newcastle-on-Tyne in June 1859 and entry was restricted to setters and pointers.

A black setter bitch called Peg was sold for 41 guineas while the price for setter dogs called Punch, Brush, Bob, Bell, Bounce and Sam varied from 17 to 32 guineas each.

[11] The first recorded field trial in the UK was held in April 1865 on the estate of Samuel Whitbread (MP) at Southill, Bedfordshire.

Prior to 1958, a gundog could not claim to be a champion no matter how many CCs it won until it had gained a qualifier in the field as well.

[22] The Irish Setter Best in Show of 1981 was already a Field Trial Champion, proving that she had brains as well as beauty.

However, by 2011 the figures for English Setters dropped to 234 puppy registrations; Gordons had a slight increase to 306; Irish Red and Whites had a slight drop to 83; and Irish decreased to 869 puppy registrations.

[32] On January 1, 2009, the Irish Red and White Setter became eligible for American Kennel Club registration and was thereafter able to compete in the Sporting Group at its shows.