The Irish setter cocker spaniel mix is a hybrid of the cocker spaniel and Irish setter. Both dogs have similar yet very different traits. So, you might be wondering, how does the dog look? Will it act like a cocker spaniel or an Irish setter more? To answer your questions, here’s everything you need to know about Irish setter cocker spaniels.
What is the Irish Setter Cocker Spaniel Mix?
The Irish setter cocker spaniel mix is a dog combining cocker spaniels and Irish setters. It’s a medium-sized canine that stands at 22 inches and weighs up to 40 pounds. Although crossbreeds often split between the two parent breeds, it’s not the case for this mix. Irish setter cocker spaniels are small as they take after the cocker spaniel parent. But these dogs still fit in the “medium” dog category due to their Irish setter bloodline.
Size aside, this crossbreed has a medium-length coat that sheds now and then. And this dog’s coat colors range from sandy blonde to golden brown. They aren’t as tedious to take care of as their parent breeds. Irish setter cocker spaniels only need brushing 1 to 2 times a week.
This dog breed is family-oriented and likes to spend time with other people and animals. But a trait you’ll notice in this crossbreed is that they’re hard workers like their parent breeds. That means your Irish setter cocker spaniel will be happier if they have a job.
Hence, you can see why this crossbreed loves participating in dog sports. But despite being active dogs, the Irish setter cocker spaniel is prone to hip dysplasia. Aside from that, these dogs are generally healthy and can live up to 12 years!
Irish Setter & Cocker Spaniel Mix History
Most hybrid dog breeds can be challenging to get a decent read on since there’s not much history. And breeding dogs like the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix only became common last few years. I’ve explained the history of the parent breeds here for a better insight into this crossbreed:
The Cocker Spaniel History
Cocker spaniels are small hunting dogs and have been around for centuries.
There have been writings showing the spaniel’s existence as early as the 14th century. And this crossbreed comes in two varieties, the American and English Cocker spaniel.Â
English cocker spaniels hail from the United Kingdom. And the “cocker” comes from the dog’s use of hunting the Eurasian woodcock. But since that animal isn’t in the United States, this crossbreed got bred to a different standard. So, instead of Eurasian, the American cocker spaniel hunts the American woodcock.Â
The Irish Setter History
Irish setters hail from Ireland and have been around since the early 1700s. This dog is likely the result of breeding different breeds, including the English setter, cocker spaniel, pointer, and Gordon setter. Initially, the Irish setter’s name was the “red spaniel” due to their luscious strawberry-colored coat. But these dogs usually had white and red coats, not the intense red you’d find nowadays.Â
This breed rose in popularity in the United States thanks to an imported dog named Echo. And the AKC recognized the Irish setter early on, with a dog named Admiral joining the ranks back in 1878. But it wasn’t until the 1960s to the 1970s that this breed became globally known.Â
Irish Setter vs. Cocker Spaniel (Similarities and Differences)
Similarities
Irish setters and cocker spaniels share the same breed group of gun dog breed. But their sub-groups are different. Cocker spaniels are part of the “Flushing” dog group, while Irish setters with the “Setters.” Either way, both have the same purpose: to work and hunt.Â
Both dogs have excellent temperaments. Still, proper training is ideal for these dogs as they can get aggressive if left untaught. Cocker spaniels and Irish setters may develop destructive habits out of boredom.Â
Differences
As similar Irish setters and cocker spaniels are, they still have their differences. One of these is their coat colors. Cocker spaniels usually have solid-colored coats with shades of cream, red, or black. Aside from that, they can also be parti-color, which means they can have any of the colors mentioned but mixed.Â
Meanwhile, Irish setters have red coats. And these come in different varieties, ranging from solid red to chestnut. But nowadays, Irish setters come with white markings on their belly or paws.Â
When it comes to the size, Irish setters are bigger. These dogs can stand up to 27 inches and weigh as much as 75 pounds! Meanwhile, cocker spaniels stand up to 18 inches and weigh 35 pounds.Â
What To Expect When Caring For an Irish Setter Cocker Spaniel Mix
Caring for a cocker spaniel and an Irish setter has many pros and cons. But what happens when you mix these two dog breeds? Here’s what you need to know about taking care of an Irish setter cocker spaniel mix:Â
🩺 Health
Generally, the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix is a healthy dog. These dogs have excellent longevity and can live up to 15 years! Still, like most crossbreeds, they can face a few health issues. And here are some of the most common medical conditions in the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix:
✅ Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a heritable medical condition. But it can also get triggered by environmental factors like a poor diet or injury. This condition is where the dog’s thighbone doesn’t fit right into the hip joint. Some Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes may show lameness on their back legs. But, it’s generally difficult to spot signs of pain or discomfort caused by hip dysplasia.Â
Leaving Irish setter cocker spaniels with hip dysplasia untreated can lead to arthritis. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for this medical condition. The best you can do for your dog is to make adjustments in their routine to make it more comfortable for them.Â
✅ Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Osteochondrosis Dissecans is an orthopedic ailment caused by improper cartilage growth in a dog’s joints. This condition often occurs in the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix’s elbows, but it may also affect their shoulders. It’s a debilitating disease that can lead to severe joint stiffening, preventing dogs from bending their elbow.Â
Osteochondrosis Dissecans is observable in Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes between 4 and 9 months of age. You can avoid this common health issue in that crossbreed by putting your dog on a proper diet. Also, avoid overfeeding dog foods with “growth formula.” These can contribute to the development of this medical condition.Â
✅ Autoimmune Hemolytic AnemiaÂ
You can expect your Irish setter cocker spaniel to be susceptible to AHA since the dog has the “cocker spaniel” as one of the parent breeds. It’s a medical condition where the dog’s immune system starts attacking its cells. Common symptoms of AHA in dogs are:
- LethargyÂ
- Pale gums
- JaundiceÂ
- Bloating (due to the enlargement of the liver)
Fortunately, most affected Irish setter cocker spaniel crossbreeds get well after intensive treatment. Still, it’s not advisable to breed dogs affected by AHA.Â
✅ Hypothyroidism
This thyroid gland disorder can cause symptoms like hair loss, sudden weight gain, fatigue, and Epilepsy. It’s common in Irish setters and cocker spaniels, so you can expect its crossbreed to have the same issue. The best way to determine if your dog suffers from Hypothyroidism is by checking their skin. After all, this health condition causes dark patches to form on the skin!
Fortunately, you can treat Hypothyroidism with a change in your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix’s diet. Some vets may also prescribe medication.Â
✅ Primary Seborrhea
Cocker spaniels are prone to skin problems, one of which is primary seborrhea. It’s where your dog’s skin starts to overproduce skin cells, which, in turn, also boosts sebaceous (oil) cell production. As a result, the dog’s skin becomes oily and scaly, emitting a foul odor. Luckily, this isn’t a debilitating disease. At most, it will only leave you with a smelly Irish setter cocker spaniel.Â
Still, it’s best to address primary seborrhea fast and have it treated with medicated baths.
✅ Allergies
All dog breeds can have allergies. But cocker spaniels and Irish setters are especially prone to them. Here are the three kinds of allergies you need to watch out for in your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix:
- Food allergies. You can prevent this by removing specific food or ingredients from your dog’s diet.Â
- Contact allergies. Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes have sensitive skins like their parent breeds. So, you may see most of them having contact allergies. So, always double-check topical substances like flea powders and dog shampoos!
- Inhalant allergies. These result from airborne allergens like mold, dust, and pollen.Â
✅ Epilepsy
Cocker spaniels and Irish setters can inherit idiopathic Epilepsy. And this, in turn, transfers to the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix. It can cause mild to severe seizures, which you can prevent! After all, these seizures can come from many things, like head injuries or diseases affecting the brain.Â
But if your dog starts getting seizures, bring them to the vet immediately!
✅ Progressive Retinal AtrophyÂ
The Irish setter cocker spaniel mix is prone to eye problems, and one of the most common is Progressive Retinal Atrophy. It’s a degenerative eye disorder that can cause blindness over time. After all, it affects the photoreceptors of the dog’s eyes. Fortunately, you can prepare yourself early on, as this eye condition is noticeable years before your dog shows signs of blindness.Â
Blindness won’t affect your dog’s way of living as much as they can use their other senses. And since there’s no cure for PRA, the best thing you can do for your Irish setter cocker spaniel crossbreed is make their daily living as comfortable as possible.Â
✅ Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is a bone condition that can cause lameness. It results from excess protein and calcium intake, affecting Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes as young as four months! Aside from lameness, other symptoms of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy are the following:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Appetite loss
- Swollen joints
- Fatigue
Although debilitating, Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is rarely fatal. Luckily, it’s treatable with antibiotics and steroids. But this medical condition can be challenging to diagnose. So, be sure your vet knows that it can affect your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix.Â
✅ Patellar LuxationÂ
Patter luxation refers to the dislocation of the dog’s knee caps. When this happens, your dog’s knee joint can slide in and out of place, causing severe pain. This condition is common in cocker spaniels. Therefore, you can expect it in their crossbreed. Although not fatal, patellar luxation can be debilitating and crippling. So, if you notice your dog cannot walk as well as before, go to your vet immediately.Â
✅ Canine Leukocyte Disease
Canine Leukocyte Disease is an inherited abnormality affecting the dog’s white blood cells. It inhibits their ability to fight infection and attacks the dog’s body cells. You can find this medical condition in Irish setters, which, in turn, also affects their mixes. Dogs with CLAD can suffer from reoccurring infections and other complications in the immune system.Â
✅ Gastric Torsion
One of the most life-threatening medical conditions Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes can have is gastric torsion or bloating. And it’s perilous for dogs who eat a lot, chow down fast, drink lots of water, and exercise right after! Aside from that, due to the Irish setter’s narrow chest, they’re more prone to bloating than other dogs.
Gastric torsion happens when the dog’s stomach gets distended with excess gas or air, twisting the stomach. As a result, dogs can’t belch or barf the excess air in their gut, which stops blood flow to their heart. And when this happens, your dog’s blood pressure will plummet, making them go into shock. Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes can die from simple bloat without medical intervention.Â
So, if you notice your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix drooling and retching without throwing up anything, bring your dog to the vet ASAP!
✅ Panosteitis
Another bone condition that can affect Irish setter cocker spaniels is Panosteitis. It’s a disease affecting the dog’s bones, particularly around the limbs. The most indicative sign of Panosteitis is lameness in the back legs caused by the swollen bones. Luckily, this disease goes away on its own. But it can cause excruciating pain between 1 and 6 months.Â
There’s no treatment for Panosteitis, but you can manage it with pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication.Â
🦴 Nutrition
Generally, Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes should get at least 1.5 to 2.5 cups of quality kibble daily. But never go beyond this as this crossbreed’s breed parents have hearty appetites. That means when given a chance, this dog will overeat!Â
Choosing the best diet is subjective for each Irish setter cocker spaniel mix. But the key here is to focus on getting dog food from labels using quality ingredients. If you don’t know where to begin, you can ask your dog’s vet for some help. And doing this also lets you discover your dog’s sensitivities or needs.Â
Remember that how much your Irish setter cocker spaniel eats depends on their size, age, build, activeness, and metabolism. After all, dogs are like us—they don’t require the same amount of food.Â
✂️ Grooming
Grooming is a must for Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes. So, this part of caring for this crossbreed might cost you a lot. Although you can groom your dog yourself, leaving it to the pros is better. After all, grooming Irish setter cocker spaniel crossbreed is intense! You must bathe, brush, and cut your dog’s nails every 2 to 3 months.Â
Aside from that, you must brush your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix’s fur every day. It keeps your dog’s coat free from tangles or mats. Some owners try to cut their dog’s coat to make grooming more hassle-free, but this isn’t ideal. After all, Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes have sensitive skins like their parent breeds!
Aside from that, it would be best to have your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix’s ears checked weekly. After all, their long ears make it easy for dirt and other grime to build up inside. Not to mention, this crossbreed is susceptible to ear infections! Luckily, you can do this yourself by wiping your dog’s ear with a cotton ball soaked in a pH-balanced ear solution.Â
It’s best to introduce this crossbreed to grooming early on. It lets your dog accept that it’ll be part of its life over time. If you don’t do this, you’ll be dealing with a sensitive, feisty grown dog. So, make it easier for you or the groomers and introduce your Irish setter cocker spaniel mix to grooming early on.Â
🏋️ Training
Since Irish setter cocker spaniels hail from gun dogs, training them should be easy. Aside from that, these crossbreeds are famous for being “people-pleasing” dogs. They want to be “good” dogs to please their owners. As a result, these dogs have become more sensitive and responsive to commands. But harsh training techniques are never ideal for Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes.
Instead, encourage your dog with positive means like giving them treats and praises. Also, try to give your Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes a chance to perform different activities. Doing so makes it easier to train these dogs.
🏃 Exercise
Exercising will be crucial to caring for an Irish setter cocker spaniel mix. After all, these dogs come from hunting dogs and have ample energy stored! They must maintain their muscles for a healthier and fitter life. You don’t have to do intense exercises with this crossbreed, as they mostly enjoy milder activities like playing fetch or going for walks.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are spaniels?
A: Spaniels are small gun dogs bred to hunt. And these purebred dogs come in three types: cocker, springer, and king Charles. But these dogs became pretty famous for crossbreeding. Today, you can see many spaniel crossbreeds, such as the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix. Regardless, each spaniel mix has unique personalities, temperaments, and looks.Â
Q: What are setters?
A: Setters are hunting dogs that often assist hunters in pointing game birds. These dogs came from the famous medieval hunting canine, the Setting Spaniel. And it was bred to find birds and other smaller mammals so hunters could capture them quickly.Â
Q: Is the cocker spaniel related to the Irish setter?
A: Cocker spaniels and Irish setters have similar breed groups consisting of gun dogs. The difference between these two is their sub-groups. After all, cocker spaniels are Flushing dogs while Irish setters are Setter dogs.Â
Q: Are Irish setter dogs spaniels?
A: Irish setters are dogs from various breeds, including spaniels. So, you can say that Irish setter dogs are spaniels as well. Distinguishing an Irish setter from a cocker spaniel can be difficult due to their similarities. But these two come from different subgroups, where the other is “Flushing” and the other “Setter.”Â
Q: Is the Irish setter cocker spaniel mix aggressive?
A: Irish setter cocker spaniel mixes are the perfect combination of calm and energetic. Luckily, these mixed dogs aren’t as aggressive as the original cocker spaniel. They have a milder temperament thanks to their Irish setter bloodline. Still, the aggressiveness of each dog varies.Â
Q: What does an Irish setter dog get mixed with often?
A: Aside from cocker spaniels, Irish setters often get mixed with other breeds. And these include the golden retriever, german shepherd, labrador, rottweiler, and Afghan hound.Â
Final Words
If you want an Irish setter cocker spaniel mix, learn more about them beforehand. Many often buy these dogs without understanding what goes into owning them. So, to ensure a happy and healthy dog, familiarize yourself first with its needs, preferences, and breed!
