INTRODUCTION

My first Irish Setter came when Dad went to the SPCA to "pick up a small dog for the family". Since Dad grew up with Irish, to him the choice was simple when a lovely ten month old Irish Setter pup was spotted in the basement of the shelter. He came home with her, and so Lady Barbara of Shannon became part of the Russell family! Since we got her when I was three, and she left us when I was 19 years old, she had an immense impact on my life.

As an adult, I got "into dogs", and my first show bred Irish came to me in 1993. Once "in the Irish scene", I remembered Dad hunting with Barbie and wondered why there were now few Irish considered to be serious hunting dogs. One could find field bred Irish that looked very little like the dog I grew up with, or show bred Irish that were not tested, or practical, as hunting dogs, but so very few that were proven to do both. So began the quest to preserve the dual nature of the Irish. In each litter that we produce we give careful thought to temperament, breed type, structure, and field ability. The goal is to produce a family companion that has the beauty so inherent to the breed, and the talent to provide for the table. We are active in shows and field trials/tests, and participate in the occasional obedience trial as time permits. Our dogs live in the house with us as part of the family.

Ken retired from running his own auto mechanic’s business a few years ago, and we now operate an 87 acre working farm in the Southern Okanagan area of BC. We grow hay, and raise sheep (Katahdin, Dorper, Suffolk, and their various crosses), Dexter Cattle, goats, horses and mules, rabbits, chickens, and ducks. It is a busy life, but one filled with the intangible riches that being outdoors with each other and our animals provides.

Susan