Let's talk Irish Setters
Irish Setters are instantly recognisable by their eye-catching feathered, rich red coats, but these lively and intelligent dogs have much more to offer besides their graceful good looks. They were originally bred as hunting dogs and still sometimes fulfil that role today, but as friendly as they are athletic, Irish Setters also revel in the role of family pet. Albeit sometimes mischievous family pets whose boundless energy needs to be channelled into exercise and play.Official name: Irish Setter
Other names:
Origins: Ireland
| Drooling tendencies |
|
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level |  |
Suited to apartment living? |  |
| Energy Level (high, low, medium)* | High | Family Pet?* |
 |
| Compatibility with other pets | |
Can stay alone?* | |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
| Baby age | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior age | from 10 years |
1/7
Origins of the breed
For many enthusiasts, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular all-round dogs worldwide. It’s thought that Labrador Retrievers originated from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where fishermen used dogs of this appearance to retrieve fish. The breed as we know it today, however, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.
The Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 1916 and the first standard followed soon after, predominantly tailored to working Labrador Retrievers who found early fame, having been originally introduced to the U.K. in the late 1800’s by Col Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury.
2/7
2 facts about Irish Setters
1. Big Red
Big Red, the eponymous star of Jim Kjelgaard’s 1945 novel and a 1962 Walt Disney film, is probably the most famous Irish Setter ever, despite being fictional. Some real-life Irish Setters have had high profiles too – several Irish Setters have kept U.S. presidents company in the White House, including King Timahoe, known as Tim, who was named after the hamlet Richard Nixon’s ancestors came from in Ireland.
2. Perennial puppies
Mischievous puppyhood lasts a long time for Irish Setters, in temperament at least. The breed is known to be slow to mature: some owners report that their dogs never fully grow out of their puppyish ways … but around two years is quite normal. That means you’ll likely have a rambunctious, high-energy and full-sized setter “puppy” on your hands. Early, consistent training and socialisation activities are good ways to help your Irish Setter settle down.
History of the breed
Like other setters, the Irish Setter was originally bred as a hunting dog and named after the stance it was trained to adopt, “setting” or lying low to show human hunters it had found birds without getting in the way of the nets that would then be thrown to trap them.
As hunting methods changed so did the breed, but even standing upright, setters have kept the evocative name.
The Irish Setter is the result of breeding between the Irish Red & White Setter and a mystery red-coated breed as far back as the 19th century. It owes its sleek, athletic silhouette to the hunters of the time who wanted dogs that were rangy and tall enough to lope tirelessly across the flat expanses of Irish countryside.
4/7
From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Irish Setters
1. Ears
Long, feathered ears that lie flat against the head.
2. Head
Chiselled head with elongated muzzle.
3. Body
Lean and athletic silhouette.
4. Coat
Flame-red glossy coat of medium length, longer at chest.
5. Tail
Medium-length feathered tail, tapering to the end.
5/7
Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Irish Setter
6/7
Caring for your Irish Setter
Grooming, training and exercise tips
That beautiful chestnut-red coat requires regular grooming to stay glossy and gorgeous and avoid tangles. Irish Setters need to be brushed a couple of times a week. They also need a nail trim once a month and the occasional bath with a specially-formulated gentle doggy shampoo. Take advantage of grooming time to check their ears as Irish Setters can be prone to ear infections. Irish Setters need plenty of exercise – substantial walks (an hour a day as a bare minimum) as well as play sessions should keep them physically fit and mentally stimulated. Intelligent and eager-to-please Irish Setters should respond well to training as long as you’re patient: make sure that it’s fun, so they don’t get bored (they can be inquisitive and easily distracted) and reward-based, with any treats coming out of their daily rations.
7/7
All about Irish Setters
Put it this way: you’ll need patience. Irish Setters are intelligent dogs and should – eventually – respond well to training. But they’re inquisitive (read easily distracted) and can be stubborn too. Consistent, reward-based training will work; just make sure the rewards come out of their daily rations to keep your Irish Setter at a healthy weight.
Once trained, Irish Setters get on well with children although like any other breed, they shouldn’t be left alone with little ones. Some Irish Setters can be a little exuberant by nature and others a bit more reserved, but early socialisation should help them get used to people and other animals and settle down into their role as the most beautiful member of almost any family.
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/