Hi, I have always wanted a dog. My first dog was an Irish Setter. Kristy came to me as a puppy and was my first dog. She was a typical setter who kept me on my toes until she was 13 when she finally started to mature, but not all the time. My second dog was Katie a Red and White Irish Setter. Katie burst into my life as an 11month ish rescue. If I though Kristy was a handful, in comparison Katie was to start with a nightmare. She had to start from scratch and learn all the basics. Together we achieved so much and like Kristy she finally started to mature when she was about 14. I spent months trying to decide what my next dog would be. I knew I would not have another setter due to the sheer hard work that they need. I knew I would not have another rescue. What I did know is that whatever dog I had would be a gun dog. I finally found myself drawn to a springer spaniel rescue. Only to be informed that the springer had already been adopted. Instead I was introduced to Ben an 11 month old Labrador. I dread to think what he had endured with his previous owners but he was so terribly frightened. After my setters he is a delight and great to be around. He is so responsive and learns incredibly quickly, except he remains wary of some, not all, people as he is still struggling to realise that not everyone he meets is intent on giving him a good beating. play mind games with him or maybe worse. So Labs vs Setters. On his own he has won the debate even though between us we still have issues to work through. He is a gentle joyous dog who in the five years he has lived with me has rewarded me day after day for inviting him to live with me. Without question for me Labs come out tops!
I have had German Shorthaired Pointers, similar in nature and hunting as a Setter. Have discovered Labs and like you love them and get so much pleasure training them and just walking and being with them.
Hello and a warm welcome to the forum. It sounds like Ben has landed on his feet with you, and he's given you loads in return.
Hello to you and Ben. We stumbled into Labs, taking on a lovely old black Lab, Scooby. He was only with us for 10 months. A true gent. We now have a crazy German Shepherd x Lab, Coco - also a rescue. He is so quick to learn, but we have some major problems still to overcome. He is a joy to work with though.
Hi, I have never had a pointer but have seen them working and they are very high energy. I have been with labs in the past and in contrast to them Ben is so calm and undemanding. This could be partly personality but mainly I suspect due to his former life. He is happy and settled now so all is well. Diana
Thank you for your warm welcome. One of the joys of Irish Setters is that they are puppies at heart all of their lives. One of the frustrations is that they stay puppies all of their lives. In contrast Ben is so worried that someone will do something to hurt him. He is at his best when those around him totally ignore him. After four and half years he is getting more confident but his past continues to haunt him. So very sad. Through Ben I have found this site which is amazing.
Welcome from Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy a Labrador x Pointer 6 years. Poor Ben sounds like he had the most rotten start but you are his here, now and future and it sounds like you are doing a great job with him. I think some of the things that happen to some rescues may never quite leave them but they can live happy lives with their new family. I look forward to hearing and seeing more of Ben, he sounds lovely. xx
Welcome! Ben looks like a very gentle soul in your avatar. People used to say my dog had a baby face and it seems to me that Ben has that look as well.
Hi there, My parents 'upsized' from spaniels to Irish setters some years back .Derry is their 3rd,here he is ..... He is huge , very very lovely and a terrible food thief ! He's needed more training than what he's had to be honest .....there were some pretty hairy moments in what we call the 'absconding years' ,so although I've been around both breeds I can't really compare and contrast the 2 as my parents dogs have had very different 'upbringings' to my lab. Ben looks very handsome,welcome to the Forum and thanks for sharing your story with us x
He is huge but looks just right. Kristy my Irish setter was on the whole not a food thief also she did steal my Christmas dinner from the over on one occasion. As for Katie my Irish red and white setter she was an excellent, determined and habitual food thief. Workman took to hanging their lunch bag in the trees. The most memorable occasion was a battle of wills between her and me about raiding the fridge. Eventually I fitted child locks. Success for three days until she ripped the lock off. I then emptied the fridge apart from a tub of cream in the door and a plate with cooked whole turkey fillets craftily stuffed with hot chili. I went out for an hour. On my return the fridge was open. the cream pot on the floor empty. The plate with the turkey still in the fridge. The turkey no where to be seen and the chillies left intact on the floor. If I had kept score of her compulsive food stealing I am sure that the final result would have been Katie 1000+ vs. Diana 20 ish. I will try and work out how to upload photos into the main body of my replies. Week beginning Monday 13th December, the new chickens arrive. I am sure that Ben will get on fine with them. He was ok with my previous chickens, prior to the fox visiting, although they did tend to take exception if he got to close and were not adverse to pecking his bottom which caused him to race away from them. I hope you all have a good day. Diana
