The Irish Setter is most likely a cross between the English Setter, Spaniel
and Pointer and was developed during the fifteenth century. It was called
the Red Spaniel in Ireland but in 1876 became known as the Irish Setter.
The name Irish Red Setter was chosen first by the American Irish Setter
Club because of the acceptance of only red dogs as typical of the breed.
In other countries, red and white markings are acceptable. The Irish Setter
is a gun dog used to flush fowl.
The Irish Setter is a loving, faithful companion. He is high spirited and
full of vitality. He is "an exuberant extrovert." For these reasons,
he needs a lot of exercise. As a field dog, he is bold yet gentle.
The head of the Irish Setter is long and lean. The top of the muzzle and
the top of the skull are parallel and of equal length. The length of the
head is double the width between the ears. The eyes are almond shaped and
of medium size. They are to be medium to dark brown. The ears are set back
and low, not above the level of the eye. They hang in a neat fold close
to the head and are almost long enough to reach the tip of the nose. The
bite is scissors. The throat is long and strong. The body has a deep chest
with a sloping topline. The legs are strong and sturdy. The tail tapers
to a fine point almost at the hock. The gait of the Irish Setter is lively
and graceful. The coat is straight, fine, glossy and has a rich chestnut
or mahogany color. In the United States, a little white is permitted on
the chest and toes. The coat is of medium length, straight, silky and fine
on top with long, silky feathering on the ears, chest and legs. The average
height of the Irish Setter is 25 to 27 inches and the weight is between
60 and 70 pounds.
aukselpj@aol.com of Kokomo, IN writes:
Most Irish Setters now very solid with wonderful temperament.
It's too bad that so many folks have bad memories of Setters being hyper
and barking a lot. In the mid-'70s, these wonderful dogs were fearfully
overbred, and their temperament was the first to go with improper breeding.
Now that the dog is not as popular (yippee), the serious and ethical breeders
who still exist have done an excellent job of restoring the rollicking spirit
of the dog and of eliminating bad behaviors and flighty temperaments. Irish
are wonderful, faithful, loving companions that will follow you all over
the house. They can be boisterous, but with proper training and lots of
attention, they can't be beat. There is nothing prettier than a clean Irish
running in a green field, and there is nothing like your Irish companion
curled up "spoon in a bowl" with you at night (on the bed, of
course).
Crating your Irish is the best way to curb its "hunger" for furniture
and shoes when it is a puppy. Those who don't crate will find these independent
dogs can get into mischief. If you spend a half hour per day grooming and
brushing out your dogs, they won't get so matted. Find an Irish breeder
in your area and ask for help in learning to groom and train yours. I did
and I ended up grooming her for seven years and learning so much about showing
in conformation and obedience. It made the biggest impact on the way I became
a responsible pet owner.
mlamphr@visuallink.com of White Post, VA writes:
Devoted, trustworthy family dogs.
Irish Setters are completely trustworthy with children, adults and other
pets. They learn very quickly, but may decide to spice up repetitive drill
exercises if the trainer is not on top of things. They are adaptable for
a variety of purposes and compete successfully and with flair in all areas
of dog competition: bench, field, obedience, agility and a variety of other
social tasks such as rescue and therapy. And they accomplish these tasks
while being incredibly beautiful. These are not dogs for the person who
wants to leave the dog in the backyard or a run most of the day. They are
social animals who require frequent and sustained interaction. They want
and need to be an integral part of the family. They repay this interaction
one hundred times over with consummate and exuberant devotion to family
members.
Name withheld by request of Virginia writes:
Total love with a sense of humor.
Having owned two Irish Setters I can say they are great for people who
enjoy a very active dog. They love everybody, are totally devoted to their
people and mine have never been in a bad mood. Forget them as protection
dogs p; I've always said our Setter would lick any burglar to death
and show him the good stuff. Since they are apt to make a spectacle of themselves
with visitors early training is a must. My dog is seven and is as exuberant
as a puppy. I have found them to be very bright and fast learners but are
easily distracted. My dogs have been healthy except for minor allergies.
Setters need to be with their families and become depressed without them.
They love to run and may take off for a lengthy tour of the neighborhood
if not restrained. They are a little extra trouble but the reward of total
devotion, gorgeous appearance, and a fun-loving companion is worth the effort.
Name withheld by request of Georgia writes on 1/17/01:
Beautiful, but obsessive behaviors were awful.
A female Irish Setter was my first dog. I am truly surprised that I ever
got the nerve to get another dog of any kind after that fiasco. That dog
barked for 14 solid years (don't know when she slept). She had a half acre,
fenced in yard and was played with at least twice a day every day (fetch
with a tennis ball, walks on a leash, rides in the car, etc.) and was allowed
in the house almost every day for company as well. I can't stress "barked
TOO much" too much. Awful experience. I have owned 5 dogs since (1
Australian Shepherd, 3 Dachshunds and a mutt) and had wonderful experiences
all other times). That Irish Setter gets 1 points for beauty and one for
being a great retriever of tennis balls, but I think I am being overly generous.
ktrenkie@Yahoo.com of Alma, MI write son 10/6/00:
An all-purpose dog.
Irish Setters are one of the greatest companions one could own. They can
really do anything! Dumb- they are not! They can do anything, from confromation
(And Well!) agility, therepy, obedience, hunting trials, and helpers for
the deaf and blind. They are truly an all purpose dog! Mine is just so sweet
and kind. She is always faithful and true, I can tell it in her soft, sad,
brown, eyes. She participates in confromation, only, even though she is
capable of doing everything. They have wonderful, fun-loving personalities,
that just seem to warm your heart on a cold winter's day! If you teach them
basic tricks young in their life, they will use those skills later on in
their life, like open a door with their paw! They are not for "Couch
Potatoes" though. They seem to be saying,"Hey, don't just sit
there! There is a whole world to discover, and we don't have much time to
do it!" They love to play frisbee and catch. I guess it simulates retrieving
a bird, like they were breed to do. Sweetest dogs in the world. Very beautiful
as well! Artists have claimed them to be the world's most beautiful dog.
I am a believer in that. Not just in their apperance, but in their personality
and spirit!
Laura.House@Kohlerco.com of North Carolina writes on 5/10/00:
Utterly fantastic.
Growing up I had an uncle who had an Irish Setter and I think that was when
I first fell in love with them. My husband and I aquired our first Irish
Setter 8 months ago and he made himself a
major part of our family within a day. We have four young children, including
4 year old twins, and never once have we had to fear our dog being around
them. They love him to death and he loves them right back. He is even wonderful
with our cat. The only word of caution I have is that I was told that Irish
Setter's remain a puppy for two years and from what I've seen so far, I
believe that to be true. They do need alot of exercise and do love to explore
the neighborhood. If ours is given half a chance, he's off like a shot!
But all in all they are wonderful, loving animals.
mmerci2858@aol.com of Farmington, MO writes on 5/2/00:
More than an aristocratic loving beauty.
I've had the great pleasure of owning two Irish Setters. They are wonderful
companions and pets. Sometimes I feel as if they have the ability to read
by mind. They want to please you. When you give them love you will receive
a smile unlike any other breed. Some say they are hyper - I think it should
be called enthusiastic. They are easy to train and have an uncanny ability
to determine what they are allowed to play with. They are delicate when
around fragile things. Get out a ball or frisbie and a game must be played.
If you give them love and training they will reward you with more joy than
you can imagine.
seube@gci.net of Anchorage, AK wrotes on 2/16/00:
Beautiful, intelligent, and highly active.
The Irish Setter is a dog that can truly be a source of pride to own. But
they are an active breed and do not do well in apartment living. While they
are intelligent, trainable, and loving, they must have access to frequent,
regular exercise. Without this, they can tend to acquire undesirable behaviors
from both boredom and a lack of outlet for energy. Coats require regular
brushing, with special attention paid to areas that may mat, such as where
the inside of the leg meets the body. The area around the ear canal must
be kept free of hair to avoid ear infections. A truly intelligent, loving
dog, but not meant for everyone.