Irish setter – hunting breed

The glossy red coat and graceful build of the Irish Setter make it an eye-catching and lively canine. Dog lovers all over the world have fallen in love with this breed because of its gregarious and outgoing personality. But the Irish Setter is more than just a lovely friend—it was first developed with hunting abilities that made it a hunter’s favorite.

The Irish Setter is a highly prized hunting dog because of its excellent sense of smell, endurance, and capacity to cover vast tracts of ground. It was a great bird dog because of these attributes, especially when it came to tracking and recovering game in the field. These days, the breed enjoys being on a hunt as much as it does being part of an active family.

It’s crucial to comprehend the requirements of the Irish Setter breed if you’re thinking about bringing one into your home. These dogs are ideal for energetic owners who can keep up with their energy levels because they love mental and physical stimulation. They are renowned for their loyalty and affection in addition to their hunting instincts, which make them excellent companions in both the house and the outdoors.

Characteristic	Description
Breed Type	Hunting dog
Origin	Ireland
Size	Large
Coat	Long, silky, red
Temperament	Friendly, energetic, affectionate
Exercise Needs	High
Training	Requires patience, intelligent but can be stubborn
Lifespan	10-12 years
Common Uses	Bird hunting, family companion

Description of the Irish setter breed

The Irish setter is a magnificent, elegant, graceful, and fairly large breed.

1. Country of origin: Ireland.
2. Use: gundog, companion.
3. FCI classification: Group 7. Pointers. Section 2. British and Irish pointers and setters. With testing of working qualities.
4. General appearance: balanced, proportionally built, proud, dignified dog of athletic build, with long strong legs, beautiful coat and kind expression in the eyes.
5. Behavior/Temperament: cheerful, intelligent, energetic, affectionate, loyal.
6. Head: long, narrow, not wide between the ears. Muzzle and skull of equal length, upper lines parallel.

1. Skull: oval (from ear to ear), voluminous, occipital protuberance well defined. Superciliary arches developed.

Picture of a side-stepping Irish Setter

An image of an Irish Setter outdoors

1. Shoulders: well angulated, shoulder blades long, well laid back.
2. Elbows: move freely, set low enough, turned neither in nor out.
3. Forearms: straight, sinewy, with well-developed bone.
4. Feet: small, very strong, toes strong, arched, tight.

1. Knees: well angulated.
2. Hocks: turned neither in nor out.
3. Paws: small, very strong, toes strong, arched, tight.

A picture of an Irish Setter hunting game

1. Height at withers: males 58 cm – 67 cm; females 55 cm – 62 cm
2. Weight: males 32 kg; females 27 kg

Unlike many other tall dogs, the Irish Red Setter is not particularly large.

1. Aggressiveness or shyness
2. Any dog ​​clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities should be disqualified.

Breed-specific traits only in dogs that are clinically and functionally sound may be employed for breeding.

Males are required to have two testicles that are fully lowered into the scrotum and appear normal.

Irish Setter color

An image of an Irish Red Setter

• Light red
• Dark red
• Chestnut, white spots on chest or throat are possible.

As per the standard, a white narrow stripe or star on the forehead is acceptable.

Irish Setter character

The Irish Setter breed is characterized by friendliness, temperament, intelligence, playfulness, decent behavior, and intelligence. incredibly amiable, trainable, and smiling. Given its high energy level, all it needs is long, vigorous walks in parks, forests, or fields.

The setter gets along well with every member of the family, including cats and other household pets. It picks up different commands quickly and is easy to train.

The Irishman is a great family dog that enjoys playing with kids. A setter that has been trained well can be held on a leash by even a small child. It never acts aggressively toward kids and has an endlessly patient personality.

Irish setter puppies in a grassy photo

It’s important to remember that red setters are happy and have wagging tails when they greet strangers; they are neither security nor guard dogs.

Instead, it makes a great walking and running partner. An active and sporty pet, it will gladly participate in all the family’s activities. Not appropriate for elderly individuals or families who desire a peaceful and quiet lifestyle. For those who enjoy constant movement and physical activity, it is perfect.

An energetic, gregarious dog with a striking red coat, the Irish Setter is a hunting breed. With its keen instincts and endurance, this dog—which was initially bred for bird hunting—performs admirably in the field. Due to its high level of intelligence and activity, this breed is a great companion for outdoor enthusiasts and families who can give it lots of attention and exercise.

Irish Setter care

The Irish Setter needs daily attention and discipline. The breed’s coat is smooth, dense, and devoid of undercoat.

• Shedding is almost imperceptible, occurs twice a year, in the body area, the beautiful fringe on the paws does not shed. If the coat bothers you, there is one piece of advice, do wet cleaning more often, and the house will be tidy.
• Feature of the breed: despite the long coat, there is no dog smell at all.
• The setter"s coat should be combed every day with a brush made of natural bristles. Thus, you remove dust, dead hair and give your pet an excellent massage.
• Bathe once every 10 days, or as needed, so that the coat does not lose its natural oils, which provide a protective function against dirt and dust, making it waterproof.
• Grooming: the setter does not need a haircut, but some owners trim the hair between the toes to avoid tangles.
• Ears: regularly inspect the ears. Dirt can be easily removed with a damp cloth. Setters are prone to otitis, so it is necessary to check the ears for any irritation or infection.

An explanation and picture of the Irish Setter breed

The breed requires a caring and knowledgeable owner. The setter can run away when out on a leash because, like all hunting breeds, he is fascinated by everything around him. In this instance, it is unquestionably necessary to purchase a special whistle for dogs, implement some stricter discipline in the classroom, or both.

If the setter takes two daily walks that are both lengthy and vigorous, they can live in an apartment. a mobile and energetic pet that requires more exercise.

A dog that receives insufficient walks or exercise may develop destructive tendencies, misbehave when left unattended, cause property damage, and become unmanageable. Although she dislikes loneliness, she can live with it rather easily. The chance to spend a lot of time with the owner brings this breed great joy.

Irish setter power

The Irish setter is reclining on a cushion in the picture.

Natural feed, such as meat, solid-variety macarone, and cereals (rice, oatmeal, and buckwheat), should be included in an Irish setter’s regular diet. The dog consumes vegetables, boneless sea fish, and chicken meat. Given that pork is a high-fat food, it is best to avoid giving it. The greatest choice is liver and beef, which are offered both boiled and in cheese (scalded with boiling water).

An adult setter consumes 550 grams of meat every day along with roughly 300 grams of porridge. There are two feedings per day. The dimensions that are shown are typical since every dog has different needs.

Dry finished food can be given to them. To select a nutritionally balanced food that is ideal for your pet, it is advised that you purchase food only after speaking with a specialist. Give the setter dry food, and make sure that a bowl of water is always available. Your pet will never turn down dry food, dog biscuits (you can use regular biscuits), cheese, or any kind of premium canned food if you want to spoil him with treats.

Additionally, the owner needs to consider that feeding an adult dog differs from feeding a puppy. An adult dog should only eat three times a day, whereas a two-month-old Irish Setter puppy should be fed up to six times a day. A well-rounded diet high in calcium, such as cottage cheese, milk, and kefir, should be given to a small puppy.

Irish Setter training

The Irish Setter has a challenging personality, but they make fantastic family pets. She can be stubborn or reserved, so in order to maintain her position as leader, the owner needs to be firm and demanding with him. Training ought to be gentle while also being consistent and persistent. You will receive an ideal assistant who is hardy and diligent if you train a hunter, but it will take a lot of work.

The intelligence, obedience, and advanced intelligence of the setter set them apart. The dog is first trained in fundamental commands like "Come to me," "Sit," and "Lie down."

"Stand" is a crucial command that a setter needs to understand and execute. This order is required whether hunting, jogging, or just waiting for food.

Children will find the Irish Setter to be an invaluable companion as he can spend the entire day running and playing outside. For those who enjoy traveling and have an active lifestyle, this is a great dog.

Irish Setter diseases

• Otitis
• Allergic dermatitis
• Hip dysplasia
• Entropion (inversion of the eyelid)
• Pyometra (purulent inflammation of the uterus)
• Laryngeal paralysis
• Bloating (volvulus intestines)
• Dermatitis
• Epilepsy
• Melanoma
• Hypothyroidism (a disease caused by a lack of thyroid hormones in the body)
• Osteosarcoma (malignant tumor of bone tissue)
• Congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (dilation of the esophagus)
• Degenerative myelopathy (severe neurodegenerative disease leading to paralysis of the lower limbs)
• Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (inflammation of the outer shell of long tubular bones in the epiphyseal region with subsequent calcification of the affected area, occurs in puppies aged 3-6 months)

Photo of an Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a devoted and loving family dog in addition to being a proficient hunting partner. It is a unique breed that is adored by many for its beauty and amiable disposition due to its vivid red coat and vibrant personality.

This breed is perfect for active families or people who enjoy outdoor activities because it needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. A well-trained and socialized Irish Setter can make a happy and well-mannered companion.

If you’re thinking about getting an Irish Setter for your house, get ready for a devoted, active, and affectionate friend that will flourish in a space where it has unrestricted access to play and run around.

Video on the topic

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Irish Setter hunting dog

Hunting with an Irish Setter

DOG BREED: IRISH SETTER