Other names: Irish Red Setter and Red Setter
Origin
Irish Setters are the oldest of the setter group, preceeding Gordon and English setters. The country of origin is, of course, Ireland. It is believed the breed developed from old spaniels, setting spaniels and a Scottish setter. The breed was first developed for hunting and has always had a good nose for scent. However, it has not always proved to be the greatest of hunters as its mischievous, fun-loving nature sometimes gets in the way. It was in 1882 that the Irish Red Setter Club was formed in Dublin, prompted by the breeding programme of The Earl of Enniskellen, who developed the signature solid red coat. However, major show winners in the late 1800s, still had some markings of white or black, harkening back to their relations, The Red and White Setter and The Gordon Setter. While doing well in the show ring, the first field trial champion was not made up till 1929. In the 1940s the breed was nearly decimated by the eye disease Progressive Retinal Atrophy, better known as PRA. This disease is a non sex-linked genetic illness that causes night blindness. Thankfully, it is now known how to DNA test to identify carriers and thus, eliminate them from a breeding programme. Due to this scientific advance, the breed has recovered itself and the incidence of PRA has dropped dramatically.
Description
This gundog’s outstanding attribute is its rich, chestnut to mahogany coloured coat. It is a silky, flat coat with feathering at the legs, ears and on the tail. Balanced and elegant, the breed strides through the show ring, or alongside its owner, with its head held high. The are quite muscular dogs and should not carry any excess weight.
| Size | Large |
| Colour | The Irish Setter should be a deep red chestnut colour. A small blaze of white may appear on the chest. |
| Coat Length | Medium Long |
| Weight/Height Range | The Irish Setter breed standard does not contain a height range, however on average dogs stand at 65cms at the withers and weigh 30.5kgs, bitches average at 61cms from the withers and weigh 26kgs. |
| Ailments | This breed was very popular in the 1970's and many health and temperament problems appeared. In recent years many of these problems have been eliminated. Irish Setters are known to be sensitive to penicillin and some other antibiotics. They are also prone to hip dysplasia and screening for this is very important. |
| Breed Classification | The Irish Setter is a member of the gundog group, very popular nowadays as both a working gundog and family pet. This dog has been successfully shown and has won many top awards at all levels in the dog showing world. |
Feeding & Ownership
This is a breed that is susceptible to bloat so care must be taken with feeding, two smaller meals are ideal. The breeder should give you advice, and a diet sheet, regarding the feeding of your Irish Setter.
| Food Cost | $15 to $20 |
| Other Expenses | Once you have paid for your puppy there doesn't appear to be a great deal of other expense attached to this breed. They are relatively inexpensive to feed, but their grooming requirements will add to the cost. |
Personality
The Irish Setter plays enthusiastically but gently with children and is extraordinarily sweet and affectionate as a pet. They get on well with other dogs but do need early exposure to cats and other pets in order to live in peace with them. Being terribly friendly, this is not a good guard dog, though it will announce the presence of a visitor. If bored, Irish Setters are known to bark to excess so it is best to keep them happy and active. Again, they should be trained early on as they have a tendency to scavenge and can eat some terrifying objects, e.g. light bulbs, fish-hooks, etc. Despite its noble appearance, The Irish Setter remains a pup at heart throughout its life, one of its more endearing traits.
| Intelligence | Early obedience training is a must in order to get this dog to come back if it ever gets off the lead. Being a hunter, although an easily distracted one, it will follow a scents all over if not trained to come back to its owner. With patience and kindness, The Irish Setter is easy to train and can even compete in obedience trials. It is a sensitive breed though and will not respond well to harsh correction. This breed matures slowly, both physically and mentally and should never be pushed too far too fast. They are hardheaded, stubborn and independent. |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | High |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | The Irish Setter needs a lot of exercise. This dog was bred to hunt birds and is thus very active. Long of leg, it can be well exercised alongside a cyclist. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Low |
| Ease of Transportation | Low |
| Level of Aggression | Low |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
The dog’s crowning glory is, of course, the coat. Daily brushing is essential to keep the feathers from tangling. Occasionally, the owner will need to trim between the pads and behind the ears to prevent mats. Bathing can be done as needed. A professional groomer may be needed for extensive trimming once in a while. However, for show, the coat needs a great deal of careful attention in order for the dog to be competitive. One essential grooming chore that can not be ignored is careful and regular cleaning of the ears. As they are drop ears, very little air circulation is able to get inside the ear and thus it is a breeding ground for bacteria, making ear infections common.
| Grooming Requirements | More than once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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