Irish Setter

 

• The Irish setter is a distinctive hunting dog with a strong will, a good competitive instinct and can withstand demanding weather conditions
• The breed is fond of activities such as cycling, dog sledding, hoof carrying and fetching
• In terms of appearance, the Irish Setter is a tight, muscular and elegant dog with beautiful fur and colour
• The fur requires regular care to keep it smooth and free of curls and waves

Characteristics and temperament

The Irish Setter is a dedicated hunting dog with a strong will and ability to work even under demanding weather conditions. It also has a competitive instinct and is well suited to activities such as dog sledding. The breed loves to be used and thrives on challenges. At the same time, it is very friendly and social.

Irish Setter training

Irish Setters are recognized for their intelligence and many of them are eager to learn. At the same time, some individuals of this breed can show a certain willfulness.To become a successful owner of an Irish Setter, you must dedicate time to daily training and maintain a clear and consistent approach. Positive reinforcement works best when training this breed, although it may take some time for them to fully grasp how the reward system works. Patience is a virtue when it comes to Irish Setter training, whether you’re focusing on basic everyday obedience or more advanced activities like hunting or agility.It is important to recognize that Irish setters do not lack intelligence; in fact, they are known for their sharp wits. It just takes a little extra time to get them started with the training. Once the dog has adapted to the training routines, it will quickly be able to pick up new skills. This means that even an adult Irish Setter with solid basic training can quickly learn new tasks. However, even adult dogs should receive regular and consistent exercise to maintain their skills and well-being.

Irish setter health

Irish setters are considered a healthy dog breed, and the breed club has made a significant effort to select only healthy individuals as breeding animals. Like many other larger dogs, they are in the risk group for hip dysplasia (HD), and around 15-20% of dogs suffer of this to varying degrees. The breed is almost free of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and CLAD. It is a stated aim to achieve complete freedom from these disorders in the breed within the next ten years.

Size and weight

This setter is a tight, muscular and elegant dog with fluid and free movements. The head is long and dry, with parallel lines between skull and muzzle. The eyes should be as dark as possible, and the ears are placed low and far back on the head, close to the cheeks. The breed has an elegant neck, deep chest and a tail that is carried at the height of the back line or slightly lower. The characteristic color is warm red and pure, without traces of black, some also have white spots on the chest, but this may lead to some price increase.Irish setter males have a withers height of 58-67 cm, while bitches have a withers height of 55-62 cm. Normal weight for an Irish Setter is anywhere from 27-32kg.

Fur grooming

The Irish Setter’s body coat is of medium length, but short and fine on the head, ear tips and front of the legs. The coat should be smooth with as few curls and waves as possible. There is long and silky tapering on the ears, on the back of the front and hind legs long and fine. Under the belly a good layer of hair is formed which can reach the chest and the front of the neck. The tail should have a medium-long plume that gradually tapers towards the tip of the tail.

The story of a lovely bird dog breed

Irish setters have their origins in the so-called setting spaniels, which are also the origin of most other setter breeds. These hunting dogs became very popular, and the breeding was primarily based on hunting qualities, while colors had less importance. At the beginning of the 19th century, the white and red varieties became particularly popular in Ireland. The red and white were considered the best hunting dogs, while the reds were most sought after for their beautiful appearance. In 1860, the red setters were distinguished as a separate variety, and later only the red ones were allowed at exhibitions. At the beginning of the 20th century, the first Irish setters came to Norway, and interest in the breed was stimulated by, among others, Fritjof Nansen, who used Irish setters for hunting. Today, the breed is very popular as both a hunting dog and a family dog.

Do you want to know more about the breed?

We encourage everyone to contact the breed club for further information about Irish setters.Good luck with choosing a lovely Irish Setter puppy!Supporting sources: Animal shelter , Animal life , Norwegian Irish Setter Club (NISK) .