Breed Health Committee
In the last few years, the health of pure-bred dogs has been in the spotlight and the UK Kennel Club requested that each recognised breed appoint a health committee to examine health issues in the breed. The committee was set up with health representatives from the eight Irish Setter Breed Clubs in the United Kingdom. Rita Bryden, as KC Breed Liaison Officer also attends and participates in discussions and we have an independent Chairman, Professor Edward J Hall MA, Vet MB, PhD, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Ed Hall is Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Bristol Veterinary School, where he is Head of the Division of Companion Animal Studies. A Cambridge graduate, he undertook clinical and research training in Philadelphia and Liverpool, and is a Diplomate of the ECVIM-CA. In his PhD, he investigated gluten-sensitive enteropathy in Irish setters with great assistance from Mrs Jean Quinn and other breeders. This is where his passion for the breed developed.
He is currently a Past President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, and has written over 70 scientific papers and numerous book chapters on canine small intestinal diseases. He has clinical and research interests in small animal gastroenterology, in particular inflammatory bowel disease, and sees referral patients with GI problems. He gave evidence to the APGAW and Bateson enquiries into pedigree dog breeding. He owns an Irish Setter, “Fin”.
Health topics of interest and importance to Irish Setter breeders and owners are discussed and one of the first actions of the group was to organise an online survey for all Irish Setter owners to “obtain a snapshot of the state of Irish setter health with respect to known and suspected inherited disease. They also wish to identify those conditions that setter owners believe have the most serious impact on the health and welfare of their dogs, so that future initiatives can be targeted at the most important conditions.” This survey is now closed and the information has been analysed and presented to the committee. Ed Hall has written a report which can be read on: http://irishsetterhealth.info/content/2011-breed-health-survey.
If you have concerns about any aspect of the health of this breed, or your Irish Setter, which you consider should be brought to the attention of the Health Committee or require more information on any health matter, please feel free to contact any breed club health representative or SEISC Health Representative Meg Webb megwebb1
aol [dot] com. You do not need to be a member of any club to do so.
Breed Health Coordinator:
Professor Ed Hall, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol
Club Health Representatives:
Belfast and District Irish Setter Club: Miss Diane Ritchie
Irish Setter Association, England: Mrs Gillian Townsend
Irish Setter Breeders Club: Mrs Lynne Dale
Irish Setter Club of Scotland: Ms Magi Henderson
Irish Setter Club of Wales: Mrs Greta Ross
Midland Irish Setter Society: Dr Sharon Wigfull
North East of England Irish Setter Club: Mrs June McAvoy
South of England Irish Setter Club: Mrs Meg Webb
Kennel Club Breed Liaison Council Representative: Mrs Rita Bryden
