Irish Setter Breed Information

I am by far not an expert on the Irish Setter as these are the first ones that I have owned, having had Cavaliers, and now Shelties. I am used to the Setter with my sister having the mum of my pups and also helping with both litters of pups she has had. This time I couldn't say "No" to having one then I got talked into having two which was ok but then she had one of their sisters come back to her and we ended up having her aswell. Their nature is so sweet and they love company, and they are very clever and have been virtually housetrained since they were 10wks old.

One thing I will say if your looking to own an Irish Setter its important to ensure that both parents have been Hip Scored and are CLAD and PRA clear. If you intend to breed from an Irish Setter it is also best to get them HIP Scored prior to breeding. Most Irish Setters are now hereditary clear for CLAD and PRA. It is also worth while enrolling in a local puppy class to ensure that you do a little bit of basic training with your Setter, to ensure that in the future they are well behaved. We have been doing puppy classes with all three of our girls doing The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme and we are also doing Ringcraft with a view to showing them.

So I will include a little bit of information about the Irish Setter:

The Irish Setter, alslo known as the Red Setter, is a breed of gundog and family dog. The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the Show-bred dog recognised by the AKC as well as the field-bred Red Setter recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book.

Appearance

The Coat is moderately long and silky and of a deep red color. It requires frequent brushing to maintain its condition and keep it mat-free. The undercoat is abundant in winter weather. Irish Setters range in height from 25 to 27 inches (64-69cm), males weigh 60 to 70 pounds (27 to 32 kg) and females 53 to 64 pounds (24-29 kgs). The FCI Breed Standard for the Irish Setter stipulates males: 23 to 26.5 inches (58 -67cms), females: 21.5 to 24.5 inches (55-62 cm).

Temperament

This happy, playful breed is known for its joie de vivre and thrives on activity.  It loves to run in open spaces.  It is faster and has more endurance than other setter breeds.

In general, Irish Setters are friendly enjoy human company, and actively look for other dogs with which to play. They are affectionate and like to be petted. Irish Setters are excellent with children. Due to the breed's need for frequent activity, this is an inappropriate dog for inactive families or apartment dwellers. Irish Setters are not aggressive, although can bark to protect the area from strangers. They have been marked as being stupid, but are really quite intelligent.