AKC Sporting Group
History
While most people think of Irish Setters as being red, the original ones—which date back to the seventeenth century—were actually red and white. The dogs were bred to “set” (or crouch) in front of game and waterfowl, which allows the hunter to more easily find and shoot the quarry. Back before guns, setting dogs would crouch in front of game, and a hunter would throw a net over both the dog and the target. In the mid-nineteenth century, the solid red Irish Setter became more popular, and the parti-colored dog fell out of favor. By World War I, the breed was nearly extinct, but luckily two cousins from County Down in Ireland began an active breeding program. Several Irish Red and White Setters were imported to the United States in 1983, and the Irish Red and White Setter Club Inc. was formed in 1997. The breed became part of the AKC Sporting Group in 2009.
Description
Strong and athletic, the Irish Red and White Setter needs to be powerful enough to work in the field, but not so bulky as to get bogged down. The head is broad, with a good stop and a domed skull. The round eyes are hazel to dark brown. The ears sit level with the eyes, lie close to the head, and are not droopy, so brush and seeds don’t get into them in the field. The neck should be fairly long, muscular, and slightly arched. A scissors bite is preferred, though a level bite is acceptable.
The Red and White Setter’s body is muscular, with a deep chest; the topline is level and the back and hindquarters are very powerful. The feet are close knit, with feathering between the toes. The strong, feathered tail tapers to a fine point. The coat is fine textured with good feathering. Coat colors need to be clearly distinguished, with a base color of white and solid red patches. Mottling or flecking is permissible around the face, feet, forelegs, and hind legs.
Key Facts
- Height: 24 1/2 to 26 in. (male); 22 1/2 to 24 in. (female)
- Size: Large
- Weight: 50 to 75 lbs.
- Availability: Difficult to find
- Talents: Hunting, tracking, retrieving, pointing, agility, and obedience
Notes
Irish Red and White Setters are generally bred either for the field (hunting) or as pets; field dogs tend to be much more high energy. But because they are sporting dogs, even Red and White Setters bred for family life require mental and physical stimulation. They are too active for apartment or city living unless the owner is experienced and able to spend extensive time exercising and training the dog. Although the dog is shown in its natural state, regular (weekly) brushing is recommended, as well as frequent checking for burrs and matting in the coat feathers. The breed is very hardy. Its primary health problem is canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (or CLAD), an autoimmune disease, but the breed is also prone to cataracts and Von Willebrand’s disease.
Personality
Like its cousin, the red Irish Setter, the Red and White Setter is energetic, intelligent, and affectionate. Unlike the Irish Setter, however, the Red and White Setter has retained a lot of its natural instincts, which tend to keep it calmer and more focused. The Red and White Setter also isn’t as popular as the Irish Setter, which was overbred, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. This is widely believed to have affected the Irish Setter’s temperament. These dogs get along well with everyone—from small children to strangers at the door and other animals. They are generally easy to train, as long as the owner is experienced, firm, and willing to give the dog a lot of exercise. Irish Red and White Setters are excellent hunting dogs due to their good nose and ability to handle any terrain in any weather.
Behavior
- Children: Good with children
- Friendliness: Fairly friendly with strangers
- Trainability: Easy to train
- Independence: Fairly independent
- Dominance: Low
- Other Pets: Generally good with other pets
- Combativeness: Not generally dog-aggressive
- Noise: Average barker
- Indoors: Moderately active indoors
- Owner: Not recommended for novice owners
Care
- Grooming: Regular grooming needed
- Trimming and Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed
- Coat: Feathered coat
- Shedding: Average shedder
- Exercise: Needs lots of exercise
- Jogging: A good jogging companion
- Apartments: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised
- Outdoor Space: Best with large yard
- Climate: Does well in most climates
- Longevity: Moderately long lived (12 to 15 years)
Useful Links
AKC® Irish Red and White Setter Breed Standard
http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/IrishRedWhiteSetter.pdf
Irish Red and White Setter Breed Club
irishredwhitesetterassociation.com
Search for a Breeder
irishredwhitesetterassociation.com/breeders-directory.php
Rescue Organizations
akc.org/dog-breeds/rescue-network/contacts/
