USA

Irish Red and White Setter Association

A Status Report by President Kathy Pellerito

When we came together in Belgium in 2004, I brought to you a petition from the Irish Red and White Setter Association seeking your support for our request to be designated "parent club" for the breed by the American Kennel Club. I am more than pleased to report that in June, 2005, the Irish Red and White Setter Association was designated "parent club" for the breed, the first stage in its progression into Miscellaneous class and finally official recognition of the breed by the American Kennel Club.

Let me underscore the Irish Red and White Setter Association’s appreciation for the support given by national clubs, individual supporters, and judges which was critical in the achievement of our goal . Designation as the "parent club " for the breed is the first and perhaps most important step toward full recognition of the breed.

During the early spring of 2006, advancement of the breed to the Miscellaneous Class was placed on hold. This action was taken because of the need to examine issues relating to the inclusion of non pure Irish Red and White Setters in the Irish Red and White Setter stud book. .Some dogs and their progeny have already been determined not to be Irish Red and White Setters and have been excluded from AKC FSS enrollment – Harry, Snowfire GoldDust, Snowfire Copper. Open Promise was reviewed and cancelled in 2002. As of this writing, action will be taken at the AKC’s August meeting to consider moving the Irish Red and White Setters into Miscellaneous Class.

In anticipation of the stud book problem, the association had already appointed a Stud Book Committee which produced a documented detailed discussion of the issues. This monograph as well as a copy of the association’s original submission to AKC is available

for you perusal here today should it be of interest to you.

All in all, it has been satisfying and productive two years. The association continues its program of regional and national specialties and hunt tests. The Judges Education program is in place and several judges seminars have been held this year. A number of publications have been produced – a pictorial, a guide for the judges seminars, four issues of THE FORUM, the newsletter of the organization, as well as a yearly calendar featuring photos of Irish Red and White Setters owned by association members. These publications are available here should you wish to examine them.

There is a growing awareness of the breed in the United States by those who have a special interest in dogs as well as members of the general public. Interest has been demonstrated by Irish related groups in including representatives of the breed in various celebrations. Some Irish Red and White Setters are serving a therapy dogs.

Participation in the activities described, a growth in membership to 147 members as a well as a steady increase in number of litters bred demonstrate the health of the organization and increasing interest in the breed. The Irish Red and White Setter Association continues its commitment to public education about the Irish Red and White Setter and to the protection of the pure Irish Red and White Setter.