Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a medium-sized setter famed for its agile and sweet-tempered nature. This breed comprises of the AKC recognized show-bred setters, and the Field Dog Stud Book recognized field-bred Red Setters. A quick-moving hunter, the Irish Setter is elegant in build with a long, lean head, almond-shaped eyes, low ears set well back, moderately deep muzzle, somewhat long neck, straight forelegs, wide, muscular hindquarters, and a tail with a broad base set in line with the croup.

Irish Setter Pictures

Mixes

• Irish Setter X Boston Terrier Mix = Irish Bostetter
• Irish Setter X Golden Retriever Mix = Golden Irish
• Irish Setter X Poodle Mix = Irish Doodle
• Irish Setter X Lab Mix
• Irish Setter X Doberman Pinscher Mix = Irish Dobe Setter
• Irish Setter X German Shepherd Mix
• Irish Setter X Border Collie Mix
• Irish Setter X Australian Shepherd Mix
• Irish Setter X Rottweiler Mix
• Irish Setter X Beagle Mix
• Irish Setter X Afghan Hound Mix
• Irish Setter X Springer Spaniel Mix
• Irish Setter X Dachshund Mix
• Irish Setter X Newfoundland Mix
• Irish Setter X German Dalmatian Mix
• Irish Setter X Boxer Mix

History

Irish hunters of the 18th century probably combined English Setters, Pointers, Spaniels, and Gordon Setters to produce their sleek, powerful Setters that can move quickly and freely, covering ground in the lush green countryside. Those first Setters were called the red spaniels, and they often had a mix of red and white instead of the commonly seen solid dark red coat. During the early 19th century, Irish breeders like Sir St. George Gore, Jason Hazzard, and the Earl of Enniskillen started the breeding of solid red dogs.

The first Irish Setter, named Elcho, was brought to the United States in 1875. The breed attained fame as an energetic and efficient worker in the hunting fields, and because of its elegant looks, it became the conformation champion since the beginning of the dog sport during the 1870s. Its popularity soared during the 1960s and 1970s, because of the movies and books that featured an Irish Red Setter named “Big Red” and also due to President Nixon’s pet “King Timahoe.”

Temperament and Behavior

The Irish Setter has a loveable, friendly, and happy personality. Being fun-loving, playful, and boisterous by nature, it is always ready for fun. It is an outgoing dog that becomes attached to its people and thus likes to stay close to its family. It becomes unhappy when left alone for a few hours, which can result in destructive behavior.

It has the energy and hunting instinct of its ancestors, and it enjoys doing new things as well as going to new places. Although not known to be a guard dog, it will protect its people when the need arises. It makes an excellent watchdog and will warn its owner of intruders with a loud bark. It is slow to mature and usually retains its puppy enthusiasm for many years.

Being affectionate, loyal, energetic, and eager to please, the Irish Setter loves having a job to perform. The Irish Setter can live peacefully with other animals and children, but it can be too overwhelming for a toddler who can accidentally be knocked over by this lively dog.

Uses

The Irish Setters are often trained to serve as therapy dogs in hospitals and schools. In hospitals, the therapy dogs are allowed to visit the patients, and in schools, they sit beside the students while the children continue to read.

Training

Positive, reward-based training with consistent and interesting methods is needed so that your dog does not get bored.

Socialization
Because of its hunting instincts, it is important to socialize your Irish Setter to other animals during its puppyhood. Invite visitors over to your house frequently, and take your pup to parks and stores that allow animals, as well as on leisurely strolls so that it can meet your neighbors and their pets.

Crate training
Encourage your Irish Setter to enter the crate by dropping some food treats near the crate door and inside it. After a successful introduction, feed its meals in the crate. If your dog has its regular meals inside the crate without showing fear or anxiety, you can confine it for short periods while you are home and increase the interval regularly so that it can learn to stay in its crate for a long time. Crate your dog and leave some toys and tasty food treats in the crate when left alone. If your dog does not like being crated, you may confine it to a room behind a baby gate.

Feeding

Give it 2-3 cups of high-quality dry food appropriate for its age, size, build, and activity level, and make sure to divide the food into smaller meals. Since it is prone to bloating, you should not take your dog out for vigorous exercise or play around mealtimes.

Interesting Facts

• The Irish national bus company, Bus Éireann, uses the Irish Red Setter as the corporate logo.

Comparison of Irish Setter with Golden Retriever and English Setter