HISTORY OF THE IRISH SETTER CLUB OF SEATTLE

THE BEGINNING

In early 1967, Irish Setter fanciers throughout the Pacific Northwest got together to form the Irish Setter Club of the Northwest. An enthusiastic membership from Oregon, Washington and Idaho worked hard to get the new club off the ground and recognition by the Parent Club was soon received. In spite of the initial success and demonstrated ability to deal with the logistics of regional orientation, the AKC insisted that, to receive recognition, it must be a local club. Since the ultimate goal was to become a licensed club, and the majority of the membership was in the greater Portland area, it was decided to designate the club as a Portland specialty club. Toward that end, the club’s name was changed to the Multnomah Irish Setter Association (MISA), and as such, soon received AKC sanction.

Although supportive of the changes necessary to achieve the goals of the original club, Seattle area members recognized that the new, local version of the club would no longer meet their needs. On November 1, 1970, Seattle area members and fanciers met and the Irish Setter Club of Seattle was formed with 23 charter members. Dr. Roy Wright was the first president; Leon Green, vice president; Lorelei Windhorn. Secretary; and Bob Miller, treasurer.

THE WONDER YEARS

The energy and enthusiasm of this young club could be compared only to that of a six month old Irish Setter puppy. The first regular meeting was held on January 16, 1971, and the first issue of our newsletter, Tipperary Tales, was published in February. On March 14 we held our first specialty fun match with an entry of 93 dogs judged by breeder Ron Taylor. On March 28 we held our first fun field training day with approximately a dozen people attending. At the second of these monthly events, attendance reached 60 people. In June we began obedience classes.

In less than a year, on October 16, 1971, we had achieved one of our initial goals: a sanctioned BOB match. Breeder-judge Ann Buck presided over an entry of 120 dogs. Also in October, we held our first fun field trial and within a week after our first birthday, on November 7, we achieved our second goal and held our first sanctioned field trial.

At the end of our first year, membership had grown to 75 and activities from fund raising to education to sheer entertainment abounded. Programs included speakers such as judges, breeders, veterinarians and even a public showing of the film Big Red. Grooming and tattoo clinics were held, information booths were set up at all-breed shows, and ardent efforts were made to provide the public with information about our breed which was than skyrocketing in popularity.

Our goal, to become a licensed club, was reached before the end of our second year: we held our first licensed field on October 1, 1972. In March of 1973 we joined MISA and the Gordon Setter Club of American to provide a three trial circuit. Field trial activity was going strong, and in a two and one-half week period that spring members’ dogs received 23 placements!

On the show scene our efforts for a licensed specialty seemed endless. After three B-OB matches, with notable breeder-judges like Roy Jerome and Bill Brooks, we held our first A-OA match on August 1, 1973 with breeder Dick Webb as our judge. Our second A-OA match was held on St. Patrick’s Day 1974 with Joanne Berry judging, and shortly thereafter we were granted approval for our first licensed specialty. That event, held on October 12, 1974, was judged by Lucy Jane Myers. The Irish Setter Club of Seattle as a fully licensed entity had arrived.

THE LEAN YEARS

By 1973 the club had reached an all-time high of 132 members. We held shows, field and obedience events; we had a scent hurdle team; and educational, fundraising and social events were regular occurrences. We were enjoying the success and good times until it happened. In the late 1970s the Irish Setter began to plummet from popularity as rapidly as it had risen, and with it many, many people started disappearing. Although this event happened everywhere, it hit Seattle particularly hard in that among the early casualties was the field trial interest. With dwindling membership, treasury and enthusiasm, the club determined that its spring 1979 field trial would be its last, at least for a while.

In the early 1980s the club lost several key members who left the area. By 1982 we had 21 members, the treasury was weak, lifestyles had changed and the few remaining members who had worked so hard over the years were tired and discouraged. On several occasions we considering disbanding the club. But once again in the spirit of our breed, we chose to persevere.

THE REBIRTH

By the mid-1980s we began to receive some much needed boosts. One of our departed members returned. Other people were moving into the area. Breeding activity picked up, and with it came new puppy owners and members, new energy and ideas. Our newsletter has returned and interest in many of our past activities is being rekindled.