Irish Setter

The Irish Setter (, literally 'red setter') is a setter, a breed of gundog, and family dog originating in Ireland. The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the show-bred dog recognised by the American Kennel Club as well as the field-bred Red Setter recognised by the Field Dog Stud Book. The breed is known for having a friendly and gentle temperament.

Description

Appearance

thumb|upright=.9|left|Irish Setter in profile

The coat is moderately long, silky, and of a red or chestnut colour. It requires frequent brushing to maintain its condition and keep it mat-free. The undercoat is abundant in winter weather, and the top coat is fine. Their coats should also feather in places such as the tail, ears, chest, legs, and body. Irish Setters range in height from , males weigh and females . The FCI Breed Standard for the Irish Setter stipulates males stand tall, and females be tall.

Irish Setters are deep chested dogs with small waists. An Irish Setter's life expectancy tends to be around 11 to 12 years.

Temperament

thumb|right|9-week old puppy playing with cat

The UK Standards state that the breed should be "Demonstrably affectionate".

Irish Setters are an active breed, and require long, daily walks and some off-lead running in wide, open spaces.

Irish Setters are also widely used as therapy dogs in schools and hospitals. Therapy dogs are permitted in hospitals with special permission and can visit patients on the assigned floors. In schools the dogs may be used to create a calming and relaxed environment.

History

thumb|The Irish Setter, in the beginning, was not identical to the breed today. The solid red colouring came about by selective breeding practices. Ranger, a Red Setter, the property of Elizabeth Gray in 1797.

One of the first references to the 'Setter,' or setting dog, in literature can be found in Caius's De Canibus Britannicis, which was published in 1570 (with a revised version published in 1576). Translated from the original Latin, the text reads:

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.

Further reference to setters in early literature can be found in The Country Farme by Richard Surflet and Gervase Markham, published in 1616. They wrote: "There is also another sort of land spannyels which are called Setters." Working Irish Setter kennels today field champion dogs that claim lines from both the Field Dog Stud Book and the American Kennel Club.

File:22082009 HTC Melle.jpg|The Irish Setter was bred for hunting.

File:19032009 Fritz&Enya02.jpg| Irish Setter

Image:Irish setter (dog).jpg|An Irish Setter after swimming

File:Rod setter.jpg|Irish Setter running in the fields

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Working Red Setter

The modern Red Setter is smaller than its bench-bred cousin. While show dogs often reach 70 lb (32 kg), the Working Red Setter is generally around . The coat is less silky and the feathering is generally shorter. The colour is lighter, with the working dog found in russet and fawn colours. The Red Setter often has patches of white on its face and chest as the Irish Setter of old did. There have been efforts to rekindle the field abilities of the true type Irish by a handful of dedicated breeders in California and elsewhere with some success.

Health

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.9 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Gluten intolerance in Irish Setters is a naturally occurring genetic disorder that is the result of a single autosomal recessive locus. At around 6 months of age, Irish Setters with this condition will develop an increased immune cell presence and a decrease in absorption within the small intestine when fed a gluten containing diet. These effects lead to further damage of the small intestine as well as malnutrition and diarrhea. Irish Setters that are fed a gluten free diet have been shown to be exempt from any effects associated with gluten intolerance.

The breed is predisposed to atopic dermatitis.

Notable setters

thumb|Garry Owen with [[Governor of Maine|Maine Governor Baxter]]

King Timahoe (1968–1979), pet of Richard Nixon, a 56th birthday gift from his White House staff in January 1969
Plunkett, the only Irish setter depicted in George Earl's mythical painting A Field Trial in the Eighties
Milford, owned by Emperor Alexander II of Russia

References

Fergus, Charles. Gun Dog Breeds, A Guide to Spaniels, Retrievers, and Pointing Dogs, The Lyons Press, 2002.

External links

Irishsetterdogs.com
Irish Setters UK & Ireland website