ABOUT US
Welcome to Noble Red! My name is Clare, and this platform is dedicated to showcasing my love of Irish Red Setters and my incredible journey with mine.
Originally from the UK, I was born in the north of England and grew up surrounded by dogs. My early memories include Lisa, our Afghan Hound, and throughout the years we had various breeds like Nip, a Yorkshire Terrier, Ben, a Springer Spaniel, Roxy, a Shih Tzu, and later my mother owned Lhasa Apsos.
My passion for Irish Setters began as a child when a neighbour owned two of them. Watching those dogs in the fields behind our house, I knew that one day, I too would have my own Irish Setter.
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In 2009, after living and working around the world, I moved to Switzerland and met my husband, Simon. By the end of 2013, the time felt right, and I began searching for my first Irish Setter. This led me to Beatrice Aemmer, a Swiss Kennel Club Gold Standard breeder in Interlaken, Switzerland, with her Spirit of Indian Summer kennel. In March 2014, Rufus, from her B-litter, became the first member of our growing family, and my deep love for this breed truly took root.
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As our lives evolved, so did our family of Irish Setters. In July 2015, Charlie joined us, followed by George in 2017 both also from the Spirit of Indian Summer Kennel. These three dogs—Rufus, Charlie, and George—were the heart of our home, and I began dipping my toes into the world of dog shows with Rufus and later George. With George’s tremendous success and a more settled work-life balance, I was inspired to expand our family again. In April 2021, after delays caused by the pandemic, Henry joined us from the Spirit of Indian Summer H-litter and he was well worth the wait!
Along the way, I had admired the Thendara Irish Setters in the UK, known for their top show dogs. Being from the UK I really wanted to add a UK boy to our pack. Early in 2023, I reached out to Dee Milligan-Bott and Jeremy Bott of the Thendara kennel, never expecting they would agree to let a puppy come to me in Switzerland. To my delight they did agree and in December 2023, William, Thendara Artemis Diamond, my own little expat, joined us.
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Our pack of five beautiful redheads felt complete until tragedy struck. In December 2023, we lost Rufus, and it shattered my world. In the midst of this heartbreak, Beatrice shared the exciting news of an upcoming litter. When I learned of the parentage, I knew this was the opportunity to fill the huge void Rufus had left. In May 2024, Louis, from Spirit of Indian Summer’s L-litter, became our youngest member.
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Over the past decade, my curiosity about Irish Setters and dog behaviour deepened. I pursued qualifications in canine behaviour, earning diplomas in Canine Behaviour and Advanced Canine Behaviour, and I am currently studying Clinical Applied Animal Behaviour (Canine Specialism). I'm a proud student member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and also the British Veterinary Behaviour Association, and I’ve earned certificates in UK Dog Law, Canine Health, Dogs & Children, and Holistic Health Care for Dogs. (For my qualifications click here)
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After Beatrice introduced us we became, and still are, proud members of the Setter & Pointer Club of Switzerland where we have been made to feel very welcome and been able to draw on the expertise of other members which has been an invaluable help along the way. We are also members of the Irish Setter Breeders Club in the UK, and the Irish Setter Association, England.
Additionally, I contribute to Independent Setter Rescue and Rehome (UK Charity No: 1190429), initially helping with administrative tasks and later joining as a trustee in 2021, a role I am incredibly proud of. The Indie team works tirelessly, always keeping the welfare of the dogs at the forefront under the mantra "it's only ever about the dog!" (For more on Indie, Independent Setter Rescue and Rehome click here)
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I am forever grateful to Beatrice of Spirit of Indian Summer for trusting me with Rufus, Charlie, George, Henry, and Louis, and to Dee and Jeremy at Thendara for believing in me and allowing William to come to Switzerland. As breeders, the guidance and support of Beatrice, Dee and Jeremy has been invaluable and I am happy to say they remain firm and dear friends to us.
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I am thrilled to continue this journey with my beloved red heads, and I can't wait to see where it takes us next.