While the AKC was breeding the hunt out of Irish Setters, folks in Europe and the United Kingdom were quietly breeding and hunting with excellent Irish Setters.
We had a few in the 70s and early 80s that ran well.
Do your research, avoid show people here in the states, and you will come up with a decent bird dog. These folks,
http://www.settersunlimited.com (320-260-6585 click on Berg Bros setters and go to the red setter link) actually know what they are doing, and will get you into a hunting Irish Setter, unlike the folks posting here on their experiences from back in the day, when they bought a dog out of a newspaper ad. A friend owns one of their red dogs, never seen a better working dog in the field, period. Great family dog, as well.
Good Luck! Nothing better than a Setter, locked up on point.
Ted
