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Irish Setter
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The Irish Setter (Irish: sotar rua, literally "red setter"), also known
as the Red Setter, is a setter, a breed of gun dog and family dog.
The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the
show-bred dog recognized by the American Kennel Club as well as
the field-bred Red Setter recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book.
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Description
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 (64-69 cm), males weigh 60 to
70 pounds (27–32 kg) and females 53 to 64 pounds (24–29 kg).
The FCI Breed Standard for the Irish Setter stipulates males: 23 to
26.5 inches (58-67 cm), females: 21.5 to 24.5 inches (55-62 cm).
Temperament
Irish Setters get along well with children, other dogs, and any
household pets, and will enthusiastically greet visitors. As the FCI,
ANKC and UK Standards state, the breed should be "Demonstrably
affectionate." As a result, Irish Setters make excellent companion
animals and family pets.
Irish Setters are an active breed, and require long, daily walks and
off-lead running in wide, open spaces. They are, however, a breed
with a tendency to 'play deaf,' so careful training on mastering the
recall should be undertaken before allowing them off-lead.
Irish Setters enjoy having a job to do. Lack of activity will lead to a
bored, destructive, or even hyperactive dog. This is not a breed
that can be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time, nor
should they be. Irish Setters thrive on constant human
companionship.
Contrary to popular opinion, Irish Setters are neither stupid nor
high-strung. Irish Setters respond swiftly to positive training and
are highly intelligent.
Though they are usually alert to their surroundings, Irish Setters
are not well-suited as guard dogs, as they are not a naturally
aggressive breed.
Irish Setters are also widely used as therapy dogs in schools and
hospitals. Therapy dogs are permitted in hospitals that allow
service dogs and can visit patients on the assigned floors. Patients
appreciate the opportunity to stroke the silky heads of the Irish
Setters and also share stories of their childhoods when they once
owned an Irish Setter. Recently Irish Setters have been used in the
READ Programs. This is a venue where the therapy dogs are
permitted in schools and then asked to sit with children as the
students read to the Irish Setter. This process helps to enable the
student the ability to read without being corrected or judged.
Generally the Irish Setter will lay on the floor with the student as
the student continues to read, in this calming and relaxed setting.
Irish Setters are people dogs that do require to be with their
humans.
Health
Irish Setters tend to be a very healthy breed. Problems that have
been noted in Irish Setters include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Epilepsy
- Entropion
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperosteodystrophy
- Gastric Torsion or Bloat
- Osteosarcoma
- Von Willebrand's disease
- Patent ductus ateriosus
- Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD)
- Celiac disease
It should be noted that Irish Setters are now one of the few breeds
for which genetic tests have been developed to detect the
presence of both CLAD and PRA (RCD-1).
Irish Setters life expectency tends to be around 12–15 years.
History
One of the first references to the 'Setter,' or setting dog, in
literature can be found in Caius's De Canibus Britannicus, which
was published in 1570 (with a revised version published in 1576.)
Translated from the original Latin, the text reads: The Dogge
called the Setter, in Latine, Index: Another sort of Dogges be there,
serviceable for fowling, making no noise either with foote or with
tongue, whiles they follow the game. They attend diligently upon
theyr Master and frame their condition to such beckes, motions
and gestures, as it shall please him to exhibite and make, either
going forward, drawing backeward, inclinding to the right hand, or
yealding toward the left. When he hath founde the byrde, he
keepeth sure and fast silence, he stayeth his steppes and wil
proceede no further, and weth a close, covert watching eye, layeth
his belly to the grounde and so creepth forward like a worme.
When he approaches neere to the place where the byrde is, he
layes him downe, and with a marcke of his pawes, betrayeth the
place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is supposed that this
kind of dogge is calles in Index, Setter, being in deede a name
most consonant and agreeable to his quality."
It would be incorrect to assume the dog described above in any
way resembles the Irish Setter (or any Setter) as we know the
breed today. Caius was referring to a type of setting spaniel, most
likely now extinct. The description of the work undertaken by this
early pillar of the breed resembles the working behaviour of
modern Irish Setters. Of this early dog, Caius went on to write:
"The most part of theyre skinnes are white, and if they are
marcked with any spottes, they are commonly red, and somewhat
great therewithall." If this is the case, it is safe to assume the solid
red colouring of today's Irish Setter came about by selective
breeding practices.
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Irish Setter
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Country of origin
Ireland
Weight
Males: 60-70 lb
Females: 53-64 lb
Height
Males: 23-27 in
Females: 21-25 in
Coat
Moderately long and silky, dense
winter undercoat
Color
Deep red
Life span
12-15 years
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