Do you have an Irish Setter, or are you considering adding one to your family? Are you aware of the Irish setter breed characteristics? Have you ever wondered where this beautiful breed originated?
Many dog lovers are familiar with the Irish Setter’s unique, reddish-brown coat and charming personality; however, not many are aware of their long and varied history. Though the breed has only been officially recognized since the mid-1800s, its story stretches back centuries before that.
If you’re planning to own an Irish Setter, or are just curious about the breed’s past, learning about its unique history can be fun and educational. Plus, knowing about this breed’s characteristics can help you better understand and appreciate your pet!
History of the Irish Setter
The Irish Setter or the Irish Red Setter is an exceptionally smart, good-natured breed of dog with a distinctively striking appearance. These dogs have an impressive history dating back to Ireland’s 17th century.Â
They were developed by crossing Irish Water Spaniel and other gundogs, such as the Gordon Setter, Pointer, and English Setter, resulting in a hunting breed with unequaled stamina and strength. From the mid-1800s to the 1940s and 1950s, their popularity skyrocketed when they became favorites of royalty and aristocrats due to their exquisite coats.
In 1878, the first Irish Setter was officially registered with the American Kennel Club under the name “Irish Red Setter.” This marked a turning point in history as more people outside Ireland became interested in the breed.
By the early 1900s, Irish Setters had become one of the most popular breeds in both Europe and North America. They were renowned for their intelligence, speed, and good looks while simultaneously being used as hunting dogs and family pets.
Other Types Of Setters Breed
The Irish setter is just one of the many setter breeds, which include English Setters, Gordon Setters, and Irish Red and White Setters. All are unique and have their own distinctive qualities.
🐕 English Setters
The English Setter is the largest of the four types of setters, with an average weight of 50-70 pounds. They’re known for their beautiful white spotted coats and gentle disposition. They were bred specifically as bird dogs to locate the game in thick cover and point them out by standing still rather than chasing them away. Their intelligence, keen sense of smell, and good stamina make them excellent hunters.
🐕 Gordon Setters
The Gordon Setter is a large breed weighing up to 80 pounds and is noted for its glossy black coat speckled with vibrant tan markings around the muzzle, chest, and legs. This type of setter exhibits extreme loyalty to its owners while maintaining a highly independent nature when out hunting on its own.Â
It has a very strong scenting ability, allowing it to detect birds from far distances, making it an ideal companion for hunters who want to avoid spooking prey away too quickly with loud barks or long chases through dense foliage.
🐕 Red And White Setters
The smallest member of the setter family, the Red and White setter, stands about 18-21 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 40-45 pounds on average. Unlike other varieties of setters, this breed does not exclusively hunt in packs but instead prefers solo operations – slipping between trees silently in search of birds without alerting other animals or humans nearby of its presence.Â
Its red fur camouflages it perfectly against fallen leaves, while its white markings ensure that it remains visible even at nightfall to other members of your hunting team if necessary.
The Irish Setter’s Personality
Every dog breed is unique, and the Irish Setter is no exception. This breed is known for its people-oriented nature and loves to be around humans who will give it plenty of attention and affection. They’re also highly alert and aware of their surroundings, making them excellent guard dogs and family pets.
This breed is also known for its high energy level and loves to play fetch, go on long walks or runs, and swim – making it a great choice for active families. The Irish Setter dog also has a great sense of humor and loves to clown around. Therefore, be prepared for lots of laughs with this breed!
Therefore, their happy-go-lucky spirits make them great companions, both inside and outside the home.Â
Irish Setter Routine Care
Every dog needs proper care and attention. As an owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your Irish Setter is always healthy and happy. This includes providing them with the following:
🐾 A Proper Diet
This high-energy pup needs the right combination of proteins and carbohydrates to provide the energy they need to move, follow commands, and keep healthy. Protein should come from sources like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy – around 20 trials per cup of food is ideal.
For carbohydrates, grains are often used, but it’s important to be mindful when selecting foods, as not all grain options offer the best nutrition. In addition, fruits and vegetables can be added as tasty natural sources of vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health. If you want your Irish Setter looking good (and feeling their best), then make sure their diet is up to scratch!
🐾 Exercise
While they may seem like the perfect lapdog breed, they actually need a great deal of mental and physical activity to thrive. In fact, compared to many other breeds, Irish Setters need at least an hour of fast-paced involvement every single day.Â
If the owner prefers, this can be met with walking, running, jogging, or even biking. Interactive play sessions that involve rope and tug toys, as well as frisbees or balls, are also great for them. They are incredibly responsive to positive reinforcement methods and thrive off praise from their owners – so lots of pets and cuddles during their daily activities are always encouraged!
🐾 Grooming
Taking care of an Irish setter is a big responsibility, beginning with the need to groom their long and wavy coats properly. Regular brushing helps to prevent mats and tangles in their fur while trimming and clipping keep their curls looking soft and flowing.Â
Not only does grooming help showcase the best features of this breed, but it’s also important for finding burrs or otherwise hidden irritants in their coat that can cause skin irritation or infection.
In addition, during the shedding season, it’s crucial to brush them more than usual to remove dead and loose fur. This helps reduce the amount of hair floating around your home (and on your furniture and clothing!), which can be a major nuisance to many pet owners.
🐾 Training
Despite their friendly demeanor, Irish setters nevertheless require consistent, positive reinforcement during training. This breed, like all others, has to be trained with positivity and consistency. To ensure a healthy and happy adult dog, socialize your setter from an early age with people of all ages and with animals of all sizes.Â
Be aware that the setter was bred to flush game, so smaller pets in the home may trigger the breed’s natural predatory drive.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that Irish Setters, like all dogs, will need some basic obedience training. Sit, stay, come, and walk on a leash are all important commands for them to understand. It’s best to start training early and continue the process throughout their lifetime. By doing so, you’ll be able to ensure that your Irish Setter behaves appropriately in all situations.
The Breed Specific Health ConcernsÂ
Despite their majestic appearance, Irish setters also have certain health concerns you should be aware of. Some of the most common include:
❎ Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) is an under-recognized yet severe genetic disorder seen in Irish settlers. The condition affects white blood cells, which are essential to the body’s ability to fight infections and heal wounds. However, those with CLAD cannot battle off diseases due to a lack of antibodies.Â
CLAD can cause bouts within minutes or days after the dog becomes stressed, overexerted, or encounters a new environment. Symptoms include decreased appetite, fatigue, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes.
❎ Dental Disease
This can be caused by retained puppy teeth that fail to fall out properly and remain lodged in the gum line, leading to infection and discomfort.
In order to take preventative measures and ensure your pet’s oral health is up to snuff. It’s especially important to get routine check-ups with a veterinarian specializing in dogs teeth.
In addition, home care maintenance, such as brushing puppy teeth and providing dental treats, can go a long way. Keeping an eye out for any abnormalities or changes in your setter’s mouth is key to catching issues early on.Â
❎ Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a common genetic health condition in Irish setters, causing pain, lameness, and sometimes even arthritis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disorder. But with early detection and proper veterinary care, you can manage its effects. Signs of elbow dysplasia may include:
- Limping.
- Holding the elbow flexed or out to the side of the body.
- General stiffness after exercise.
Your veterinarian can provide recommendations for detecting and managing elbow dysplasia in your Irish setter. Be mindful of your furry friend’s level of activity; too much jumping or running on hard surfaces could worsen symptoms.
❎ Von Willebrands Disease
Did you know that Irish Setter can be predisposed to a certain type of bleeding disorder? Von Willebrands Disease (vWD) is a common inherited condition in the breed. It’s caused by low levels of or defective von Willebrand Factor, which is responsible for helping blood clots.
It can present itself as abnormal bleeding before or after surgery or after minor injuries such as nail trimming and teeth cleaning. While vWD cannot be cured, you can manage dogs with special veterinary care, including dietary supplements to help reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes.Â
❎ Behavioral Changes
Irish Setters may also display some behavioral changes as they age — such as aggression, separation anxiety, and barking. It’s essential to develop a bond with your pet from a young age so that they feel comfortable and secure.Â
Therefore, enrolling in obedience classes can help teach them the proper behavior expected in different social situations. Plus, providing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation is also important. A bored dog may resort to destructive or disruptive behaviors out of sheer boredom.Â
❎ Progressive Renal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Renal Atrophy (PRA) is a genetic disorder seen in dogs, particularly Irish setters. This condition slowly affects the eyesight of affected dogs, leading them to lose their sight over time gradually.Â
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PRA in Irish setters, and you can do nothing to prevent it from occurring. However, research suggests that diet may play an important role in helping to slow down the progression of this degenerative condition. However, early detection and intervention may help improve and extend Irish setters’ life with PRA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can an Irish Setter Club and United Kennel Club (UKC) registered dog compete in conformation shows?
A: Yes, an Irish Setter Club and UKC registered dog can compete in conformation shows, but they must conform to the breed standard and meet all other qualifications set forth by the UKC. In addition, both dogs and owners must complete the UKC conformation evaluation process.
Q: How can I avoid genetic predispositions in Irish Setters?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot avoid the genetic predispositions of Irish setters. However, breeders should use caution when breeding and selecting dogs that are unrelated to minimizing the risk of disease.
Q: Where can I find an Irish setter breeder?
A: The Irish Setter Club of America maintains a list of approved breeders on their website. Moreover, you can contact your local animal shelter or rescue organization to find out if they have any Irish setters available for adoption.
Q: How does a growing setters diet change?
A: Puppies will require a diet higher in protein and fat than an adult dog. This helps support their growth and development. As your setter grows, their diet should transition to a more adult-focused formula with lower levels of protein and fat.
Q: Are an Irish terrier and a Golden retriever going well with Irish Setter?
A: Irish Setters are compatible with many other breeds of dogs. However, there may be better choices for some households. An Irish terrier and a Golden retriever can make great companions to an Irish Setter. They’re both similar in size and energy level. Suppose you are still determining the compatibility of two or more breeds. It’s best to consult with a professional dog trainer.
Final Words
Now that you know more about the Irish Setter, you can appreciate their unique history as hardworking and loyal companions. If you’re still deciding whether or not an Irish Setter is the right fit for your family, consider their personality and characteristics before making a decision. Plus, think about how much time and effort you are able to commit to their care and training. Regardless of their breed, it’s important to remember that all dogs deserve love, understanding, and patience!
