The Irish Setter

Appearance

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. The coat on the head, front of legs and tips of ears should be short and fine and on all other parts of the body and legs of moderate length. 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.

History

The precise origins of the Irish setter are obscure, but the most reasonable theories consider this breed to have resulted from a blend of spaniels, pointers and other setters — mostly the English but, to a lesser extent, the Gordon. Irish hunters needed a fast-working, keen-nosed dog that was large enough to be seen from a distance. They found their dog in the red and white setters produced from these crosses. The first kennels of solid red setters appeared around 1800. In only a few years, these dogs had gained a reputation for their rich mahogany color. By the mid-1800s, Irish red setters (as they were originally known) had come to America, proving themselves as effective on American game birds as Irish ones. Back in Ireland, around 1862, a dog that was to forever change the breed, Champion Palmerston, was born. With an unusually long head and slender build, he was considered too refined for the field, so his owner ordered him drowned. Another fancier interceded, and the dog became a sensation as a show dog, going on to sire an incredible number of offspring. Virtually every modern Irish setter can be traced to Palmerston. Interest changed from field trials to dog shows, and emphasis changed from hunting ability to glamour. Despite this, the Irish setter remained a capable hunter, and dedicated breeders took steps to retain the breed's dual abilities. The breed increased principally in popularity as a show dog, however, and later as a pet. It eventually rose to a place among the most popular breeds in America in the 1970s, but has since plummeted in the rankings.

Temperament

The Irish setter was bred to be a tireless and enthusiastic hunter, and it approaches everything in life with a rollicking, good-natured attitude, full of gusto and fervor. Given a daily outlet for its energy, it makes a pleasant companion. Without ample exercise, it can be overly active inside or become frustrated. It is an amiable breed, eager to please and be part of its family's activities. It is good with children, but can be too rambunctious for small children. It is less popular as a hunter than the other setters

Care / 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.

Health

Irish Setters are generally very healthy dogs and can be expected to live into their teens.

Whilst the breed worldwide does have incidences of two inherited diseases, PRA and CLAD, we in Australia are fortunate to be relatively free of these problems. Genetic tests for both of these known inherited diseases are available and the majority of breeders will have had their breeding stock screened. They will also have had their dogs’ hips x-rayed and evaluated for Hip Dysplasia.

Puppy buyers are strongly advised to only consider purchasing from reputable breeders or members of the two main breed clubs in Australia. Like all deep chested dogs, Irish Setters can sometimes be prone to bloating episodes although greater awareness & better management these days means that the incidence is low.

Irish Setters are long coated, drop-eared dogs so it is important to keep ears clean and establish a grooming routine.
Do not hesitate to ask questions of breeders about health and management.

More information is available at the Irish Setter Club of Victoria website.

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