Irish Setter

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Often alone
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Jennifer Tyrrell (Windseeker)

windseekerkenl@shoalhaven.net.au
See Details
Breeder - Ms Carrie Paine (TULLANE)

carwoolairish@gmail.com
See Details

4. Submitted by Myra Thomas.Rhodes Amhurst Kennels. Photo by Diana Andersen

History

Derived from a variety of spaniels, setters and pointers, the Irish Setter was initially a red and white dog, with shorter legs than today's breed. In the 19th Century following intensive selective breeding efforts, the lusterous, pure chestnut-red setter emerged, to win both prizes and hearts.

Red and white dogs of Setter appearance were present in Ireland in the early 1800s, but by the late 1800s entirely red dogs became more popular. The earliest English dog shows commencing in 1859 included both coloured varieties of widely differing appearances. The first standard was adopted in 1882 and has remained largely unchanged since then.

Temperament

In the 1970s Irish Setters gained the reputation for being stupid which was, and still is, unjustified. After a rapid increase in numbers, they suffered from the attention of ill-informed people who raised litters without adequate understanding of the breed’s requirements.

Most current breeders raise puppies with the correct care and attention and produce well-balanced dogs. The ANKC standard describes Irish Setters as ‘demonstrably affectionate’.

An intelligent dog, they are quick learners and excel at obedience training. They are high spirited and will give undying loyalty and love.

6. Submitted by Myra Thomas.Rhodes Amhurst Kennels. Photo by Diana Andersen

Appearance

The Irish Setter has been described as the world’s most beautiful dog, with its long, glossy, deep red coat. They should have an intelligent and friendly appearance and be active and substantial, yet elegant in outline.

Height: Dogs 27 ins & Bitches 25 ins (measurements being made at the withers) Weight: Dogs 33-35 kg & Bitches 27-30 kg

Suitability

Irish Setters have an excellent sense of smell, are extremely active and curious and learn very quickly. These characteristics mean they’re not suited to everyone. It is recommended that puppies are shaped and trained from a very early age. The most successful placements are with people who have owned dogs before, or at least owned horses or goats, and know how to train and manage animals.

Irish Setters should be brushed and combed regularly, this keeps their coat in condition, free from malls, knots etc. Always pay particular attention to under the stomach and between the legs so that knots don't cause the dogs any discomfort. Also, trim the hair between the toes as the hair can also knot and cause discomfort. It is not necessary to bath the dog every week but when you do, use a quality pet soap, shampoo and conditioner and remember to rinse out all soap, shampoo and/or conditioner.

Irish Setters need a good sized garden or yard (fully fenced and escape proofed) and regular walks are a very important aspect of ownership.

The Irish Setter is very friendly, will let you know if strangers are about and will play with children for hours.

As with all Setters, if brought up with other animals Irish Setters get along very well with them. Any new pet should be introduced slowly under strict supervision. The new pet could be crated and the Setter be allowed to see the new one after being made to sit and stay and then allowed to sniff the new pet through the bars of the crate whilst being restrained on a lead. This should be repeated at least twice every day until the setter is familiar with the new pet. That is, the new pet is held by you or is on your lap and the setter is relaxed with this situation. Introduction of a new pet can take up to two weeks. Always contact your breeder if you have any questions.

Before committing yourself, take a thoughtful look at your life-style. Is there room in your life for a dog? Are you prepared to take him to Puppy School to get him socialised. Later on it is also a good idea to seek out your local Obedience Club. Irish Setters are lively and affectionate and and can be stubborn, you need patience to train them but they are willing to please and excel at obedience training. You need to have time to walk the dog and consider whether it is fair to leave him alone for long hours. Of course the perfect solution is to own two Irish Setters so they are company for each other!

Information from The Irish Setter Association of NSW
Image: Shutterstock | By xxBedy

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Irish Setter you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Irish Setter and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 23 Jan 2015)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Must be racy, balanced and full of quality. In conformation, proportionate.

Characteristics

Most handsome and refined in looks, tremendously active with untiring readiness to range and hunt under any conditions.

Temperament

Demonstrably affectionate.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head long and lean, not narrow or snipy, not coarse at the ears. Skull oval (from ear to ear) having plenty of brain room and well-defined occipital protuberance. From occiput to stop and from stop to tip of nose to be parallel and of equal length, brows raised showing stop. Muzzle moderately deep, fairly square at end. Jaws of nearly equal length, flews not pendulous, nostrils wide. Colour of nose dark mahogany, dark walnut or black.
Eyes	Dark hazel to dark brown, not too large, preferably like an unshelled almond in shape, set level (not obliquely), under brows showing kind, intelligent expression.
Ears	Of moderate size, fine in texture, set on low, well back and hanging in a neat fold close to head.
Mouth	Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Moderately long, very muscular but not too thick, slightly arched and free from all tendency to throatiness, setting cleanly without a break of topline into shoulders.
Forequarters	Shoulders fine at points, deep and sloping well back. Forelegs straight and sinewy having plenty of bone, with elbows free, well let down and not inclined either in nor out.
Body	Chest as deep as possible, rather narrow in front. Ribs well sprung leaving plenty of lung room and carried well back to muscular loin, slightly arched. Firm straight topline gently sloping downwards from withers.
Hindquarters	Wide and powerful. Hindlegs from hip to hock long and muscular, from hock to heel short and strong. Stifle and hock joints well bent and not inclined either in nor out.
Feet	Small, very firm; toes strong, close together and arched.
Tail	Of moderate length proportionate to size of body, set on just below the level of the back, strong at root tapering to a fine point and carried as nearly as possible on a level with or below the back.
Gait/Movement	Free flowing, driving movement with true action when viewed from front or rear, and in profile, showing perfect co-ordination.
Coat	On head, front of legs and tips of ears, short and fine, on all other parts of body and legs of moderate length, flat and as free as possible from curl or wave. Feathers on upper portion of ears long and silky; on back of fore and hindlegs long and fine. Fair amount of hair on belly, forming a nice fringe which may extend on chest and throat. Feet well feathered between toes. Tail to have fringe of moderately long hair decreasing in length as it approaches point. All feathering to be as straight and flat as possible.
Colour	Rich chestnut with no trace of black. White on chest, throat, chin or toes, or small star on forehead or narrow streak or blaze on nose or face not to disqualify.
Size	Not Specified.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.