In the past the health issues of Irish Red and White setters have been concerning. Now, however, due to the effort and time put in by many of the breeders in the last 50 years, there have been no reported cases for many years.
Diagnosed since 17th June 2008, the Kennel Club has only registered Irish Red and White Setter litters that are proven clear of CLAD. Proved either by DNA testing or by virtue of both parents being clear by DNA test or hereditary clear.
Imported Irish Red and White Setters are generally tested for this after their arrival in GB.
vWD – occurrences of a failure of the blood to clot over wounds. Cases were reported and funds were quickly raised for a breed specific DNA test. From 1st January 2011 the Kennel Club only register Irish Red and White Setter litters if both parents are DNA tested clear of vWD or are hereditary clear.
Imported Irish Red and White Setters are generally tested for this after their arrival in GB.
Although it’s not mandatory, breeders are urged to have the Irish Red and White Setters they intend to use for breeding hip scored. This is done under the BVA/KC/ISDS scheme and establishes the status of the hip joints. The breed average hip score is 10 – the best is 0 and the worst is 106.
PPC in IRWS remains unresolved by scientific investigation and has been relegated to a ‘condition of minor importance’.
Since PPC’s identification in 1995 our effort and experience has shown no evidence that it results in blindness or causes pain or even inconvenience to affected dogs.
It is no longer deemed necessary to withdraw affected dogs from breeding programmes, but eye testing of dogs for breeding is necessary as the mating together of two affected dogs should be avoided
Information on an individual dog’s health can be obtained from the Kennel Club website.
