The
Irish Setter's profusely feathered silky
coat 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
Irish
Setters are 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 be giddy
and high strung, while some are more reserved.
It is very lovable and impulsive. Some
are difficult to train, probably
because of their independent spirit, but
given firm handling and plenty of exercise,
these dogs can be a joy to own. Irish
Setters are 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.
This
breed tends to bloat. It may be wise to
feed 2 or 3 small meals a day instead
of one big one. The Irish Setter is particularly
prone to epilepsy and severe skin allergies.
They also suffer from eye problems and
elbow & hip dysplasia. Also prone
to PRA, auto-immune disease and hypothyroidism.
The ears should be watched for ear inflammation.
Ear operations for otitis often make the
dogs ill-tempered afterwards.
Living
Conditions
The
Irish Setter 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
All
setters need a daily long, brisk walk
or they will become restless and difficult
to manage. In addition, they will also
enjoy running free in the safety of a
fenced yard.
Life
Expectancy
About
11-15 years.
Grooming
Daily
brushing and combing of the soft, flat,
medium-length coat is all that is required
to keep it in excellent condition. Keep
it free from burrs and tangles, and 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 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
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, watchdogging,
agility and competitive obedience.
