Irish Setter (Red Setter)

 

The Irish Setter is a high-spirited gundog known for grace, swiftness, and a flashy red coat. They’re friendly, mischievous, and inquisitive, with high energy levels. They are famously good family dogs: sweet-tempered companions for the folks, and rollicking playmates and tennis-ball fetchers for the children with the potential to do well in many canine sports and activities.

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The Irish Setter has been described by its partisans as the most beautiful of dog breeds. Standing more than two feet at the shoulder, with a substantial yet elegant build, the Irish is famed for a brilliant coat of mahogany or chestnut. Long, sinewy legs and powerful rear drive help to place the Irish among the swiftest of all sporting dogs. The Irish Setter's lovable personality has endeared the breed to sportsmen and pet owners for more than 200 years. Irish are outgoing dogs who enjoy making friends. These rambunctious redheads are big kids at heart, but they are eager to please and will respond to patient, positive training. They are said to be bold and rugged hunting partners, with a devil-may-care approach to their work.

Health

Irish setters tend to be relatively long-lived dogs with average lifespans of 12–15 years. For most owners, the biggest health challenge will simply be making sure your Irish setter has his exercise needs met. Without enough activity, Irish setters can develop weight problems fairly easily, which can lead to other health issues.

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Irish Setters are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders screen their breeding stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye disorders. Like other large, deep-chested breeds, Irish Setters can experience bloat and sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen; owners should educate themselves about its symptoms and what to do should bloat occur. An Irish Setter's ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste formulated for dogs.

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According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, sporting dogs, including the Irish setter, can be susceptible to:

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• Gastric dilation, or bloat: Bloat is a life-threatening condition where the stomach expands and twists. Without quick intervention, bloat is fatal. Talk to your vet about recognizing the signs of bloat and whether a gastropexy procedure (where the stomach is tacked to the abdominal wall to prevent it from twisting) is recommended for your Irish setter.

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• Hypothyroidism: Irish setters are one of the breeds most susceptible to hypothyroidism. The signs vary widely, but common side effects are weight gain, cold intolerance, excessive shedding, and lethargy.

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• Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder that can cause seizures.

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Irish setters can also be at risk of osteochondritis dissecans, a condition where cartilage develops improperly in a dog's shoulder joint. This is common in large-breed puppies during growth spurts in the first year of life. Treatment varies by the condition's severity, from a few weeks of rest to surgery.

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Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:

• Hip Evaluation

• Thyroid Evaluation

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Irish Setter) (PRA-rcd1) - DNA Test

Grooming and Care

An Irish setter's coat is the breed's hallmark. Their stunning rich-red coat requires moderate grooming to look its best.

It's the most recognizable thing about them and their long, red, Fabio-like locks have helped establish the Irish setter as among the most beautiful breeds in the world. But all that beauty comes at a price.

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That long, fine hair is going to collect burrs easily and, if left unattended, will mat quickly. Brushing at least three times a week with a pin brush or a soft bristle brush; a long-toothed metal dog comb can also be used to help work out any tangles or mats that may be starting to form. Even with the upkeep, you should still get used to having hair around your house because shedding is a moderate concern for Irish setters, especially during the spring months when the dogs ditch some of that thick undercoat that serves them so well during the winter.

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The nails should be trimmed once a month. An occasional bath with a gentle shampoo meant for dogs will help to keep the coat and skin clean and healthy. Grooming sessions are a good time to check the dog all over for any new lumps or skin problems and to check that the eyes and ears are healthy and trouble-free.

Exercise

Like most Sporting breeds, Irish Setters need plenty of daily exercise. This can come in the form of long daily walks and play sessions with their owners'. Irish Setters love to be with their people. The breed also exercises mind and body by participating in canine sports such as obedience, tracking, agility, rally, and other activities that can be enjoyed by both dog and owner.

Training

The Irish Setter is happy, affectionate, and eager to please. He is full of energy and will appreciate having a job to do. Keep training methods consistent but sessions fun and interesting to be sure he does not become bored. He responds best to positive, reward-based training methods, and not well to heavy-handed or harsh corrections. Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended. Irish Setters excel in canine sports such as hunting, agility, dock diving, rally, tracking, and flyball, and their sensitive nature makes them a natural as therapy and assistance dogs.

Nutrition

The Irish Setter should be fed high-quality dog food appropriate for the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior) and activity level. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. The breed can experience bloat, sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen, and owners should educate themselves about its symptoms and what to do should bloat occur. The causes of bloat aren't fully understood, but experts agree that multiple, small meals and preventing vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help reduce the risk of bloating.

Fun Facts

• Irish setters gained a boost in popularity after the release of the 1945 novel Big Red, which was, in turn, adapted into a 1962 film of the same name by Walt Disney. Around that same time, President Harry Truman—a long-time lover of dogs—owned an Irish setter of his own called Mike.

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• That wouldn't be the last time an Irish setter would grace the White House lawn, however, as President Richard Nixon was gifted an Irish setter named King Timahoe by his staff as a 56th birthday present, and Ronald Reagan had a setter called Peggy.

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• Irish setters have also served as the (both fictional and real) companions to Mitt Romney, Sherlock Holmes, Alexander II of Russia, and the Finnish Air Force Squadron 24 in World War II.