Irish Setter

The ancestry of this red Setter hailing from Ireland is a mystery. Some suggest that the Irish Setter may descend from crosses between the Irish Water Spaniel, the English and Gordon Setters, some pointers and perhaps the Bloodhound. By the 18th Century, the red and white setter was well-established in Ireland, and through successive breedings, the mahogany version was developed. The breed was originally used as a hunting companion and in the sport of falconry. The Irish Setter was one of the most popular show dogs of the late 19th Century and was among one of the first registered breeds in the United States and in Canada. The elegant, active, and beautiful Irish Setter makes a lovable addition to the family, as long as it has outdoor activity every day.

Height: 27" (68.6cm) for dogs, 25" (63.5cm) for bitches

Weight: 70 lbs (31.2 kg) for dogs, 60 lbs (26.8 kg) for bitches

Coat Type: The beautiful glossy coat of the Irish Setter is one of its most distinctive features. It is short and close on the head, but longer and flowing on all other parts of the body. It should be straight with as little curl or wave as possible. The color is a deep chestnut red or mahogany, with no black. Frequent grooming and occasional trimming, especially between the toes, are required.

Temperament: This breed has a robust and outgoing personality; it is friendly to most people and not suited to guard work. Because it is highly energetic and prefers play over work, positive obedience training can be started at a young age.

Health Problems: The problems which affect this breed the most frequently are gastric torsion (bloat), and epilepsy which is highly suspected to have a genetic component in this breed.. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a problem which leads to blindness is not as common as it was a couple of decades ago, since new tests have helped greatly in bringing this health problem under control.

Special Interest: Often hailed as one of the most beautiful breeds, the Irish Setter has always been extremely popular in the show ring. So much so, in fact, that the breed's field abilities were almost lost; through the efforts of a few concerned breeders in England and North America, the Irish Setter still maintains its good looks and is also an efficient field dog.

Classifications:
AKC: Group 1 - Sporting Dogs
CKC: Group 1 - Sporting Dogs
KC: Sporting - Gundog Group
FCI: Group 7
ANKC: Group 3 - Gundogs