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COUNTRY: Ireland
WEIGHT: 60-70 pounds
HEIGHT: 25-27 inches
COAT: Moderately longj flat and straight, with abundant feathering
COLOR: Mahogany or rich chestnut red
OTHER NAMES: Irish Red Setter
REGISTRY: FCI, AKC, UKC, TKC, CKC
GROUP: Gun Dog
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Setting dogs of both the solid red and the red-white spotted coats
have existed in Ireland since the 1700s, when hawking was the fad. Development of a dog for wing shooting was accomplished
from existing hawking dogs and other hunting types. The fact that the Celts, who settled Ireland, also populated Brittany
is interesting with the existence of red or orange spaniels from the latter area. The Irish state their Setter is pure spaniel,
the only setter with no crossing to pointer. Bede Maxwell, author of The Truth About Sporting Dogs says, "Irishophiles
may prefer to believe their Setter sprung full-formed from among the shamrocks, but history yields no proof of it."
Yet the Irish Setter is physically the most pointerlike (i.e., houndlike)
of ah1 the setters. The Celts were famous for their scenthounds as well as their spaniels, so perhaps the crossing
was among pure Celtic hounds, instead of the pointer breeds that sprang from them. Throughout the 18th—and for most
of the 19th—century, the Setters bred in Ireland were still of both color types. In the late 1800s, several top winners,
such as Ch. Palmerston, flaunted the solid red coat, and their popularity increased. When a club was formed for the breed
in 1882, it took on the name of The Irish Red Setter Club and, from that time on, the red variety prospered while the red/white
declined.
Irish Setters were brought to America in the late 1800s, mainly as gun dogs. They proved
most useful, and many early ones were hunted as well as shown. Head types varied greatly, from the "dish" face, mimicking
the English Pointer, to the stopless downface, like those found on the best German hounds. But the flashy red-jacketed bodies
had great consistency and, as the show fraternity embraced the dashing redhead,
they quickly succeeded in fixing head type.
The Red Setter became and has remained popular among both the show fancy and the pet-owning
general public, due to his personality as well as his looks. Big, elegant and athletic, with his flowing red coat, and the
happy, head-up, tail-wagging attitude, the Irish catches the eye of any judge. And that rollicking devil-may-care personality
has captured the hearts of many owners. Like most all sporting dogs, however, he needs plenty of exercise, discipline, and
a purpose to prevent his brain from finding other unwelcome activities to relieve his energy and boredom. More and more modern
Irish owners and show fanciers are reemphasizing the hunting qualities that sometimes were forgotten in the race to fill the
demand for puppies. There are dual champions, with more to come, and other owners are testing their dogs' abilities in non-competitive
events like the new AKC hunting tests. The Irish Setter people have likewise used his trainability and verve to advantage
in the competitive obedience ring. The breed is a sensitive one, and does not react well to harsh training methods.
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Standard Irish Setter Characteristics
Breed Group: Sporting Group
Height: Male: 23-24 inches inches tall, Females: 22-23 inches tall
Weight: Male: 65-75 lb., Female: 60-65 lb.
Color: Mahogany, rich chestnut with no black
Temperment: Irish Setters are outgoing, stable and have a rollicking personality. Origins: British dog known for hunting.
About the Irish Setter
The Irish Setter, also called the Red Setter, was created in the 1700's in Ireland as a game retrieving dog.
Today, the Irish Setter is used mainly as a companion dog.
This breed is known for their endless energy and untiring ways. They are very spirited and tend to
be somewhat mischievious.They need to be handled with a firm hand from a young age as they tend to pick up bad habits very
quickly. They can be difficult to train if the right incentives are not given but they do not respond well to harshness. They
love to be around their family and are very affectionate with their owners. Since these dogs have a great sense of smell they can pick up scents from distances far away, they are not to be trusted off leash. Once they
begin to track a given smell they will not come when until the trail comes to an end.
Lengthy and sleek describe the body of the Irish Setter. Their dark brown, almond shaped eyes are set
far apart while their triangular ears are set low and far back on the skull. Their muzzle is deep and very chiseled showing off the black nose and strong thin jaws.They have a thin, slightly arched
neck which mirrors the slightly arched, thin tail that is feathered throughout.They have long, strong legs that join their small feet with well arched toes.Their mahogany or chestnut colored coat is short and fine throughout the
head and front of the legs. There is a lot of feathering on the ears, backs of the legs, thighs, tail and chest. Along the
back the hair lays flat and straight.
These dogs are prone to bloat, epilepsy, allergies, eye problems, dysplasia and auto-immune diseases.
Irish Setters are not recommended for apartments because of the immense amount of exercise needed to
satisfy them. They do best in a home with a large yard where they can run and frolick throughout the day.
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