Dog
Group:
Sporting 
Irish Setter Champions
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Pronunciation:
Irish Setter
Breed Description:
The Irish Setter breed of dog has a profusely feathered silky coat that comes in rich shades of chestnut to mahogany, sometimes with splashes of white on the chest and feet. Black is not allowed. Some young dogs have silvery-gray hair behind the ears and legs, but these may disappear as the dog matures. Its coat is long and silky except for the head, where it is short and fine. Even the feet should be well covered with hair. The Setter's ears are triangular, thin, soft to the touch, long and low set, and the legs are long and muscular. The dog is slightly longer than tall. The length of the muzzle should be equal to half of the length of the entire head. The nasal canal is straight and the nose is black or brown. The jaws have a close fitting dental arch. The stop is greatly accentuated and the eyes are chestnut or dark hazel. The chest is rather narrow and the thorax is deep and streamlined. The tail is carried horizontally and is fringed.
Temperament:
The Irish Setter breed of dog is energetic, intelligent, affectionate, high-spirited, and full of energy. They have no guarding instincts, get along with other animals, and are good with children. Irish Setters are responsive yet sensitive. This breed can become giddy and high strung if they do not receive the proper amount of mental and physical exercise. It is very lovable and impulsive, with an independent spirit and need an owner who displays a natural authority over the dog. Calm, yet firm, confident and consistent, giving the dogs clear rules he must follow and sticking to them. Meek or passive owners or owners who do not provide enough exercise will find them to be difficult to train. Given firm handling and plenty of exercise, these dogs can be a joy to own. The Irish Setter breed of dog is extremely swift, with an excellent sense of smell and are hardy over any terrain and in any climate. The Irish Setter is used for all types of hunting. It even works well on wetlands. Train this breed firmly at an early age to prevent development of bad habits, as this breed tends to pick up bad habits quickly. It is important to train for good house manners. These dogs are said to be easily housebroken. Both field lines and show lines make good pets, though the field lines are generally smaller with shorter coats and a much higher activity requirement.
Height:
21.5 to 27 inches
Weight:
60 to 75 pounds
Health Problems:
The Irish Setter breed of dog is vulnerable to bloat, epilepsy, skin allergies, eye problems, dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and hypothyroidism. To combat bloat, it may be wise to feed 2 or 3 small meals a day instead of one big one. Also, his ears should be watched for ear inflammation. Ear operations for otitis often make the dogs ill-tempered afterwards.
Living Conditions:
The Irish Setter breed of dog is not recommended for apartment life and does best with a large yard. It is best suited to country rather than city life, as he has a high activity requirement and needs a lot of exercise.
Exercise:
Like all setters, the Irish Setter breed of dog needs a daily long, brisk walk or he will become restless and difficult to manage. In addition, they will also enjoy running free in the safety of a fenced yard.
Life Expectancy:
11 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Irish Setter breed of dog should be brushed and combed daily to keep his soft, flat, medium-length coat in excellent condition and free from burrs and tangles. Give a little extra care when the dog is molting. Bathe and dry shampoo only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
Origin:
The Irish Setter breed of dog was originally called the Irish Red Setter in the United States. It derived from a variety of spaniels, setters, and pointers. At one time the Irish Setter was a red & white dog with shorter legs than today's breed. In the 19th century, following intensive selective breeding efforts, the lustrous, pure chestnut red setter emerged to win both prizes and hearts. It is probably older then the English Setter. The English and Irish Setters are both ancestors of the Spanish pointer. The Irish Setter is a fine all-around hunting dog. He is fast with an excellent nose, and is good on any terrain. His technique for finding game is to run quickly back and forth in front of the hunter. The Irish Setter breed of dog is both a pointer and retriever - particularly good for hunting game birds. Because of his handsome looks, however, many breeders have selected for beauty rather than hunting ability. So today's Irish Setter is usually a show dog or a family companion, though he sometimes still serves as a hunter. The Irish Setter's talents include hunting, tracking, retrieving, pointing, watchdog, agility and competitive obedience. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
