The Irish Setter is a member of the gundog group, very popular nowadays as both a working gundog and family pet. This dog has been successfully shown and has won many top awards at all levels in the dog showing world.
History: The breed was developed in Ireland in the 1700s from the Old Spanish Pointer, setting spaniels, and early Scottish setters. The Irish Setter’s name in Gaelic is Madra rua or “red dog”. Originally, the Irish Setter was bred for hunting, specifically for setting or pointing upland gamebirds. They are similar to other members of the setter family such as the English Setter and Gordon Setter.
Appearance: The Irish Setter is an active, aristocratic bird dog, rich red in color, substantial yet elegant in build. Standing over two feet tall at the shoulder, the dog has a straight, fine, glossy coat, longer on ears, chest, tail and back of legs. The head is long and lean, its length at least double the width between the ears. The Setter’s ears are triangular, thin, soft to the touch, long and low set, and the legs are long and muscular. The length of the muzzle should be equal to half of the length of the entire head. The teeth meet in a scissors bite in which the upper incisors fit closely over the lower, or they may meet evenly. The coat is moderately long and silky and of a deep red color, and it requires maintenance.
Size: Height: Dogs 26-28 inches (66-71cm); bitches 24-26 inches (61-66cm)
Weight: Dogs 65-75 pounds (29-34kg); bitches 55-65 pounds (25-29kg)
Temperament: Irish Setters are energetic, intelligent, affectionate, high-spirited, and full of energy. They have no guarding instincts, get along with other animals, and are good with children. Irish Setters are responsive yet sensitive. If bored, Irish Setters are known to bark to excess so it is best to keep them happy and active. The Irish Setter loves to run. This breed should always be kept on a lead when outdoors as they have the tendency to run off and can be difficult to catch. Requires firm and consistent training.
Health: The Irish Setter is particularly prone to epilepsy and severe skin allergies. They also suffer from eye problems and elbow & hip dysplasia. Also prone to PRA, auto-immune disease and hypothyroidism.
Life expectancy: 9-15 years
Grooming: Daily brushing is essential to keep the feathers from tangling. Bathing can be done as needed. One essential grooming chore that can not be ignored is careful and regular cleaning of the ears. As they are drop ears, very little air circulation is able to get inside the ear and thus it is a breeding ground for bacteria, making ear infections common.
Puppy price: $ 500.00