Title: “Passing the Torch”

Artist: Dr. Dianne Turner

Medium: Conte Crayon, Colored Pencils, Markers

Size: 11″ x 15″ x 0″

Price: $150.00  Contact National Purebred Dog Day to inquire about purchasing this piece.

Artist’s Thoughts: While there is only one breed depicted in this piece, it is representative of the numerous purebred dogs around the world that are on the brink of vanishing in our lifetime. The Irish Red and White Setter (IRWS) is no exception. The breed could easily be a “poster child” for vanishing breeds. The predecessor to the Irish Setter, the IRWS lost its popularity to the Irish Setter about the turn of the 20th century and has been fighting to make a comeback as to not become a vanishing breed ever since. I selected this breed to call attention to the prospective vanishing purebred dog breeds of the world. The IRWS is so overlooked that recently an announcer for one of the live-streamed AKC conformation show broadcast that included an IRWSs in the Sporting group line-up stated there are three Setters; the Irish, English and Gordon. A barrage of complaints from IRWS fanciers enlightened the announcer’s knowledge and it showed in the following day’s broadcast of the Sporting dog group to include the Irish Red and White Setter as one of the “four” setters in the Sporting Group.

Responsible breeding, performance, sporting dog and conformation helps promote the breed but what are the answers beyond this to save our vanishing breeds? Even in England and Ireland, the registration numbers are lowest for the native IRWS.
In this work we see a male IRWS appearing to chat and flirt with a female. The heart in the wooden fence appears as a symbol of their love for one another. This could be a meeting where he is perhaps checking her out to say we could be a great couple, I have all to offer if we ever have kids. These two IRWSs come from exceptional lines originating in Ireland and could one day be a mated pair. Their lineage includes hunting, conformation, performance and the being a family pet.

Will the world of purebred dogs be able to keep a pair like this going through line breeding preventing it from vanishing in our lifetime? Time will tell as these two may someday be “Passing the Torch” for generations to come. Both dogs portrayed in the multimedia work belong to Dr. Dianne Turner in California. “Z” (male right) An AKC bronze grand champion in conformation.
“Ryder” (female left) Is AKC titled in dock diving, trick dog and canine community service. She also is also does AKC conformation. Both excel at birding.

NPDDArt2020