Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 by Richard in 1d Gundog Breeds Setters |

A Irish Setter In The Hunting Field

If anyone has ever asked you about an Irish Setter, most people are able to bring to mind the red dog with the beautiful coat. They are known for their beauty, with their distinct traits that mark each gender of the dog, males looking masculine and females looking delicate and feminine. They do very well in the conformation ring and are a favorite for many breeders.

Despite their beauty, the Irish Setter is an excellent hunting dog that is used to “set” prey. They can be versatile in the field and since the breed has been used for two purposes, there is a slight difference between field bred and show bred Irish Setters.
That being said, both of them are very warm and loving dogs that make excellent family companions. They are the eternal puppy and will take a significant amount of time to mature but they are usually a joy to be around. They can be difficult to train, since they lose interest in a task easily but if they find it interesting and fun, they will quickly pick up whatever you are training.
However, in the end, there is little doubt that this is an amazing dog to both watch and work in the field.

Pro’s and con’s of owning a Flat Coated Retriever.

Irish Setters are a breed of dog that was originally developed in Ireland and were used primarily as hunting dogs used to “set” the quarry and have proven that they can be used both in the field and out of it. They make excellent therapy dogs and have been used in a variety of roles. They can be a bit high strung and have a lot of energy but with proper training and socialization, they can be an excellent hunting dog and family companion.

The Pro’s

There are many good points about the Irish Setter, one of them being their beauty and grace both in the field and in the show ring. They are excellent family dogs that can be a joy to have in a home. Below are some of the pros associated with the Irish Setter.

• Irish Setters are a beautiful breed of dog that can be found in both the field and many other roles. This makes it a very versatile dog that can be used for a variety of purposes.
• They are very good with children and make excellent family dogs.
• They usually do very well with other pets in the home but it is important to socialize them.
• They are considered to be moderate shedders.
• Irish Setters are very inquisitive and have a personality that makes them a joy to be around.
• They love being companions and will be happy sharing their time with those they love. This is not an independent breed that simply shares your house.

The Con’s

As with all dog breeds, there are a number of cons that should be taken into consideration before you purchase an Irish Setter. The breed has a number of serious health issues, listed in the section below, and they have an energy does not work for everyone.

• Irish Setters are not the ideal breed for apartments. They do much better in a home with a large fenced yard.
• They can be very high strung so it is important to meet the parents before selecting a puppy to alleviate some of the risks of having a high strung dog yourself.
• Socialization is very important with the Irish Setter.
• Training can be very difficult with the Irish Setter since they are often distracted by things around them. To make training easy, it should be interesting and kept in short bursts that doesn’t try your dog’s focus.
• They are very close to their family and are not a breed that can live outdoors or in kennels.
• They can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods of time.
• They have a number of serious health problems so it is important to find a reputable breeder for your puppy.
• Irish Setters have a high amount of energy and will require a lot of exercise, about 30 to 60 minutes per day.
• They need to be groomed on a regular basis.
• They are usually an eternal puppy and can be very active throughout their life. Don’t expect your Irish Setter to mature until they are older than 2.

Health Issues:

Although there are a number of health problems in this breed, it is important to note that they can live a very healthy life if effort is made in finding the best Irish Setter breeder. Make sure that all health checks have been done on the parents and that the breeder is using healthy breeding stock. If you doubt at any time that they are, look for a new breeder.

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Gastric Torsion (also known as bloat)
• Hypothyroidism
• Canine Leukocyte (CAD)
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
• Epilepsy
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Hemophilia A
• Panosteitis
• Hyperadrenocorticism
• Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)
• Megaesophagus

Height & Weight:

The Irish Setter is a beautiful dog that is known for their grace and athleticism, which is seen in both their proportions and shape. They are known for their balanced structure and long, lean head that gives a beautiful line to the dog. While size is not important with this breed, they should have a perfect balance to their look and they should be slightly longer than they are tall.

The size of an Irish Setter is:

Males: 27 inches (69 cm) tall and up to 70 pounds (32 kg)
Females: 25 inches (64 cm) tall and up to 60 pounds (27 kg)

Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.

Grooming:

One of the most noticeable quality of the Irish Setter is their beautiful, silky coat that is of moderate length with feathering at the back of the legs; foreleg and thigh, and ears. The coat also has impressive fringing on the tail, which tapers down the length, the belly, sternum, chest and brisket. There is little doubt that the rich chestnut red to mahogany coat is something that will require a bit of work to keep healthy.

Surprisingly, despite the coat, the Irish Setter is considered to be a moderate shedder, with only a few times during the year when they become a regular to heavy shedder. Even with the lower shed rate, the coat should be brushed on a daily basis to keep it free of tangles and debris. It is very important to brush out the coat after any field work to remove any debris.

While the Irish Setter needs to be brushed on a regular basis, they do not need to be bathed on a frequent basis. They have a lower doggy smell than some breeds and will only require one or two baths per month to keep them clean and healthy.

After the coat, it is very important to really care for the Irish Setter’s feet. Hairs between the toes should be kept short to keep debris from gathering there. Make sure that you check the dog’s feet after any field work to remove any trapped burrs. Also keep the nails trimmed to ensure that they do not split.

Lastly, keep the ears clean and make sure you remove any debris, dirt or water to prevent ear infections from occurring since this is very common in breeds with pendulous ears.

Life Expectancy: 11 to 15 years

History:

As the name implies, the Irish Setter originated in Ireland and can be dated back to about the 18th century. It was used originally as a hunting dog and is believed to be descended from a variety of breeds such as pointers, other setter breeds and spaniels.

Originally, the breed had a coloring of red and white but the first full red setter was born in the early 19th century. It was this dog that gained popularity and the solid color became the preferred coloring in Irish Setters from that time on.

Although the breed did begin to gain popularity in the mid-1800’s, it wasn’t known as the Irish Setter until much later. Originally, it was known as either “Red Spaniel,” or the “Modder Rhu,” which means “Red Dogs” in Gaelic.

Despite the confusion over the name, the Irish Setter thrived in Ireland and it quickly gained popularity in both England and the United States. In fact, the first Irish Setter to be imported into the United States in the late 1800’s and is one of the first breeds to be recognized by the AKC.
Although the Irish Setter was used for hunting for much of its history, many breeders realized the potential the breed had in the show ring and they became a very popular breed for conformation. This has led to there being two types of Irish Setters; field and show Irish Setters, and while there is a slight difference between them, both can shine in the field.
Grouping:

Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Recognition:

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR