Information Connection: Irish Setters

Close View of an Irish Setter Photographic Print
16 in. x 12 in.
Framed | Mounted

Irish / Red Setter Puppy Lying on Grass
Photographic Print
Bacchella,...
9 in. x 12 in.
Framed | Mounted

 The Irish Setter

By Cathy Richey

Irish Setter Quick Facts:

• Group Classification: Hunting dog.
• Country of Origin: United States.
• Date of Origin: 1800s.
• Weight M: 65-80 pounds.
• Height M: 26-28 inches.
• Weight F: 55-65 pounds.
• Height F: 24-26 inches.
• Life Expectancy: 10 to14 years.
   

The Irish Setter has been deemed by many to be the most beautiful of all dogs. With its flowing, silky red coat, long ears, soft expression and regal presence, this dog turns heads wherever it goes.

The Irish Setter is an active, aristocratic bird dog, rich red in color, substantial yet elegant in build. Standing over two feet tall at the shoulder, the dog has a straight, fine, glossy coat, longer on ears, chest, tail and back of legs. In the field he is a swift moving hunter, at home, a sweet natured, trainable companion. They are an all-around hunting dog with an excellent nose and extraordinary skills on the terrain.

Today, the Irish Setter's skills include hunting, tracking, pointing, retrieving, agility, and competitive obedience.
The Irish Setter is most likely a cross between the English Setter, Spaniel and Pointer. It was developed during the fifteenth century. It was called the Red Spaniel in Ireland, but in 1876 became known as the Irish Setter. The name Irish Red Setter was chosen first by the American Irish Setter Club because of the acceptance of only red dogs as typical of the breed. In most countries, red with small white markings are acceptable.

The Irish Setter has a rollicking personality. Shyness, hostility or timidity are uncharacteristic of this breed. Most are outgoing, with a stable temperament.

Irish setters live life with enthusiasm. They are jokesters and are easily amused. Irish Setters enjoy simple pleasures like a good run, chasing butterflies, bird watching, and going on rabbit patrol.

These dogs can easily be housebroken. They make excellent pets, in the field and as a loving companion. It is important to train them young for good house manners. This breed is energetic, affectionate, intelligent, high-spirited, and full of energy. Irish Setters are responsive yet sensitive. They generally get along well with other animals.

They are excellent with children and lack aggression and the guarding instincts of other breeds such as the German Shepherd or Doberman.

Watch-dog? Yes, they are very alert. Guard-dog? Not really, they are much too friendly. These dogs seldom meet a stranger, and therefore don't make the best guard dogs. An Irish is always looking for someone to have a good time with, and he's not all that particular about whom. Unfortunately, it's these wonderful high spirits that both draw us to Irish Setters and then wear us out again.

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They are very loveable, impulsive, and sometimes giddy. They enjoy running circles around people or dogs in an attempt to play. Irish Setters are slow to mature, making them ideal candidates for the person who loves the puppy mentality. Sometimes known as "Big Red or the Red Setter" they have boundless energy and are full of high spirits. They love to exercise and exert themselves with anything, which requires careful training by the owner so that their busy minds do not turn to more destructive behaviors if they are bored.

Many owners of Irish Setters are getting involved with agility training. Agility utilizes the Irish Setter's main strengths; speed and energy. If you've ever had the opportunity to see an Irish work the weave poles at breakneck speed and fly over the next jump, you know what we're talking about. This kind of training shows this breed off at its best. He's an awesome athlete and gorgeous at the same time.

They love to be around their owners, and need discipline with a sensitive hand. Irish Setters are very outgoing, friendly, spirited and lively throughout their adulthood. They mature slowly, making them have the demeanor of a puppy most of their lives. The Irish Setter is the perfect breed for a fun-loving, active family.

A home with a fenced yard is mandatory. Owners of an Irish Setter should be patient and enjoy an athletic breed. The best owner for this breed would be an active family living in a rural or suburban environment with ample space for the dog to run and play.
Thinking about purchasing an Irish Setter?

Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Irish Setter breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Irish Setter owner are:

• Properly feed your new dog high quality food.
• House them comfortably.
• Train them gently in basic obedience.

Bloat is a health issue for many deep-chested dogs, it's a painful twisting of the stomach that cuts off the blood supply, trapping gas and acid. Sometimes fatal without surgery, and the exact cause is not known. It's the second largest killer of dogs other than cancer, but Irish Setters can be particularly susceptible to it because of their deep chests. Feeding two or three small meals a day is better and safer than one large meal.

A perfect Setter day would be 50 to 70 degrees. Never leave them out in extreme heat or cold. Irish Setters like their creature comforts. The softest place to sleep is the best place to sleep. They are happy to share your bed and your pillow, if the opportunity arises.

Irish Setters actually require a surprisingly low amount of grooming. A weekly brushing, especially around the fringe areas and foot feathering, and a monthly bath will do in most cases unless you take your dog into the fields. Then frequent brushing and extra flea and tick maintenance will be necessary. Because of their large size, many owners opt to take this breed to the grooming shop instead of attempting to haul "Big Red" to the bathtub or shower. If he escapes wet, he will run to your favorite recliner and it now becomes his towel. He is a clown. A beautiful clown.

The Irish Setter proved a worthy gundog to the English, and is still used today for that purpose. Mostly, though, this breed has been moving into the position of family pet rather than hunting dog. Today the Irish Setter is mostly a loving friend of the family, as well as in dog shows around the world.

• Irish Setter prints and posters.
• Irish Setter books.
• Irish Setter DVDs.

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• The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
  -Anonymous
• Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
  -Ann Landers
• If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
  -Will Rogers
• There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
  -Ben Williams
• A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
  -Josh Billings
• The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
  -Andy Rooney
• We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made.
  -M. Acklam
• Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.
  -Sigmund Freud
• I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
  -Rita Rudner
• A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.
  -Robert Benchley
• Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
  -Franklin P. Jones
• If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
  -James Thurber
• If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
  -Unknown
• My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
  -Joe Weinstein
• Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
  -Anne Tyler
• Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
  -Robert A. Heinlein
• If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
  -Mark Twain
• You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
  - Dave Barry
• Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
  -Roger Caras
• If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
  -Phil Pastoret
• My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am.
  --Anonymous

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