History of the Breed
Description of the Irish Setter
Irish Setters Around the World
Obtaining an Irish Setter
Rescue
Activities for You and Your Setter
With dashing good looks the Irish Setter captures the imagination of all who see him. This red dog of the Emerald Isle is recognized throughout the world for his silky crimson coat and rollicking personality. The red setter from Ireland was originally a red and white dog, and it was only in the early 19th century that the solid red dog caught the eyes of the Irish breeders.
The Irish Setter was a popular gun dog not only in his native Ireland, but in England and America as well. While his origins are lost in the mists of time, a spaniel-pointer-English and Gordon setter combination is commonly thought to be the correct mix in the Irish Setter's ancestry. In the earlier part of the 19th century they were commonly referred to as "Red Spaniels," thus giving additional clues to his origins. Also called "Modder Rhu," Gaelic for "red dogs," the Irish Setter prospered under the favorable conditions of 18th and 19th century rural Ireland.
The solid red setter first appeared in Ireland in the early 19th century. The red setter separate from the red and white found a few followers who had a preference for the whole reds. Among those were Sir St. George Gore, Mr. Jason Hazzard, and the Earl of Enniskillen. The Earl of Enniskillen felt so strong about this as to refuse to have any dogs other than the solid red in his kennels. The solid red setter's popularity increased dramatically with his show debut in the mid 19th century. The late 19th century saw the breed move to America, where it was received with open arms by American breeders. Breeders such as Mr. Charles H. Turner, who imported the great Elcho in 1875, did much to further the breed in America. As one of the most popular breeds in the late 19th century, the Irish Setter was one of the first breeds to be registered in America.
The 1890's brought about a great change in the Irish Setter; this outstanding hunting dog was taken out of the fields and into the show ring. Breeders who were not interested in working them in the field, began to breed Irish Setters for the ring. An increase in size, coat and showiness would be the result.
With the close of World War I, serious competition in the show ring attracted new fanciers to the breed. With the emphasis now on the show dog rather than the bird dog, fewer Irish Setters were found at field trials. This decrease in the hunting stock and increase in showing lines can quite clearly be seen up to the present day. While a few Irish Setters can be found a field trials, they are outnumbered by the various pointers, English and Gordon Setters. In America, with the advent of the AKC Hunt Tests we begin to see more breeders showing interest in the field abilities of their show stock.
Today for all intents and purposes we have two very different types of Irish Setters. The field type which is a smaller, lighter boned dog while his show counterpart is larger, heavier boned and carries much more coat. Here in America, where this split is most obvious, we begin to see a real interest in producing a show type dog which can work well in the field. Controversy continues to rage over the correct size of the Irish Setter. The field fanciers maintain that the increased size found in the show setter reduces his ability to work swiftly and efficiently in the field. Show breeders on the other hand, maintain that correct structure will assure the Irish Setter is able to do what is necessary in the field regardless of size.
Throughout the world today there are a variety of "standards" or breed
descriptions of the Irish Setter, depending on which country and under what
Kennel Club the standards are found.
AKC Official Standard
A general description of the Irish Setter would describe an outgoing solid red setter
with a silky chestnut or mahogany coat. Average height at shoulders would be about 27". Weight
would be in the 60-70 lb. range. He is typically Irish with a devil-may-care attitude
which endears him to all who know him. This gentle, loveable dog is as bold as
he is beautiful. A slow developing dog, the Irish Setter once trained, will stay
trained for life. Highly intelligent, with the ability to think rings around
his less knowledgeable owners, this dog can get out of control if his energy is
not contained and directed. Like all sporting dogs, the Irish Setter does need a
job to do, whether is in the field, obedience ring, or the show ring. His gentleness
and happy personality make him outstanding as a therapy dog as well as a loyal companion.
North America
Regional Organizations
Great Britain
Regional Organizations
Australia and New Zealand
Buying the perfect puppy
Do you really want an Irish Setter puppy? or does that silky flame colored coat attract you, without any knowledge on your part about the characteristics of this exuberant dog? Do you have the patience to deal with a dog that really doesn't grow up until age two? Are you willing to train and work with this dog? Remember the Irish Setter is a sporting dog. He is quite capable of working in the field all day, and does not necessarily make a very good couch potato. With plenty of exercise, the Irish Setter does very well in the house; nevertheless, he still needs some sort of job to do. Obedience, conformation, agility, therapy, or field work, are all appropriate outlets for this energetic dog.
Irish Setter Breeders Around the World
PRA Today
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Resources
Bloat
Hypothyroidism
Canine
Epilepsy FAQ
So You Want to Buy an
Irish Setter (ISCA)
Don't Buy That
Puppy in the Window: 10 reasons NOT to buy a puppy from a pet shop
Buyer's Rights (ISCA)
Breeder's Rights (ISCA)
Providing a good home for a needy Irish Setter is another option to consider when you decide that an Irish Setter is for you. In North America, the Irish Setter Club of America and the Irish Setter Club of Canada both have national rescue programs. Most regional clubs actively participate in rescue as well.
While some of these dogs have been abused and mistreated, others land into the caring hands of rescue for a variety of other reasons. Death, illness, divorce and a host of other misfortunes can land an otherwise healthy dog into rescue.
For the potential owner who does not want to go through puppyhood antics with an energetic young pup, obtaining an adult dog through rescue is a viable option.
Generally these dogs, whether rescued from the pound, picked up as a stray, or turned into rescue by their owners, are evaluated and given immediate veterinary care, if necessary, updated on their immunizations, spayed or neutered, and placed into a foster home where their house manners, and general training are evaluated and worked on, if needed.
The goal of most rescue organizations is to rehome the dog in a permanent situation.
As a result much care will go not only into the dog, but into the placement of
the setter in general. The care and well being of the rescued Irish Setter
is of utmost importance when a new home is considered. Be prepared to fill out an application for adoption,
be interviewed regarding your ability to provide a loving home, and possibly
go through a home visit from your rescue organization.
North America
Regional Rescue
Great Britain
Conformation
Conformation shows are what most people think of when the words "Dog Show" are mentioned. In these shows each Irish Setter is compared, by a qualified judge, to the ideal written description or "standard" of the breed. No Irish Setter is perfect and each dog will have either major or minor imperfections called "faults." Irish Setters with major faults should not be shown, nor bred, but can participate in other activities such as obedience, or agility. Those with minor faults can be shown. The judge will examine each dog for its strengths and weaknesses and select the dog that most fits the standard.
The procedures vary from country to
country, and each has a different way of awarding championships. In America and Canada the dog
must accumulate a certain number of points, which are awarded depending on the number
of dogs defeated. In Great Britain, and Australia, dogs must be awarded Challenge
Certificates, otherwise known as CC's. Other countries will have other methods of
awarding championship titles to their dogs.
Obedience Trials
This is another way to compete with your Irish Setter. Rather than judge a dog on its looks in obedience trials, the dog is judged on his performance in completing various exercises. There are various levels of competition, each increasingly harder than the rest.
Obedience work can be very rewarding for both the dog and the trainer. Both the skills of the dog and the trainer are put to the test when working in obedience.
Another satisfying aspect of obedience work is the practical everyday applications of the exercises learned. An obedience trained Irish Setter is a joy to work with, and to own.
Hunting or Field Trials
Irish Setters were originally developed in order to help the hunter locate wild birds. The word "setter" originates from the way the dog was trained to "set" when he approached birds in the bush. Before the use of guns, hunters used nets to entangle the birds. The setter was taught to "set" and creep up on the birds, indicating by his movements the location of the birds. The hunter then threw the net over both the dog and birds.
Pheasant and quail are among the most popular birds sought by the hunter and his Irish Setter, though the setter can be trained on other birds as well. Due to the shift of interest in breeders of Irish Setters in the late 1890's and early part of this century, from hunting stock to show stock, we don't see as many Irish Setters working in the field or competing in Field Trials. This has begun to change as we see show breeders begin to show more interest in the working abilities of their dogs.
Agility
The sport of dog agility originated in England as entertainment during horse jumping competition. The popularity of agility, which is fun, has grown by leaps and bounds!
Agility requires close teamwork between a dog and it's handler. In order to successfully complete each course the dog and handler must work as a tightly knit team. Judging is based upon both speed and the ability of the dog to complete the obstacles properly.
There are various organizations in America which offer Agility Trials. All have similar requirements and courses. Training and competition, at the same time, within several of these organizations is commonly seen.
Courses are dependent on the level which handler and dog work. Obstacles such as A-frames, dog walks, see-saw's, weave poles, jumps and tunnels are typically found at Agility Trials.
Therapy Dogs
While there are various programs available to the interested Irish Setter owner, all basically are programs in which animals help people by visiting them. A more formal term often heard is "Animal Assisted Therapy." Visiting people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers is both a rewarding and therapeutic process.
Visiting with animals helps to relieve both depression and loneliness. There are health benefits in just touching a pet. Studies even show that stroking an animal reduces blood pressure. A visiting Irish Setter can entertain, provide a welcome distraction from pain, and in general improve the quality of life of the people visited. An Irish Setter will pay little attention to a person's age, or physical disabilities, but will accept them, without judgement as they are.
Generally most dogs and their owners will either be tested or have a short training program to go through, in order to assure only those dogs most temperamentally suitable for therapy work, are choosen. There are many organizations, as well smaller groups, such as veterinarians who provide these needed services. Check out the national organizations, your local veterinarian, or a nearby facility for additional information.
Baird, Jack. Irish Setters: history, training, health care, breeding, showing, grooming. Neptune City, N.J.:TFH Publ., 1973.
Bepler, M. Ingle. Setters: Irish, English, and Gordon. Manchester:"Our Dogs" Pub. Co.,1930.
Brigden, Patricia. The Irish Red and White Setter. UK:Dickson, 1990.
Denlinger, Milo G. The Complete Irish Setter. Washington: Denlinger's, 1949.
Eldredge, E. Irving and Vanacore, Connie. The New Complete Irish Setter. New York: Howell Book House, 1985.
Gallagher, Pat. Irish Setters Today. Menlo Park, Ca:Tentagel Pub., 1977.
Gardner, Eve. Irish Setters Today. New York: Howell Book House, 1998.
Holvenstot, Luz Irish Setters. Neptune, N.J.:TFH Publ., 1979.
Leighton-Boyce, Gilbert. Irish Setters. London: Arthur Barker Ltd., 1977.
Leighton-Boyce, Gilbert. A Survey of Early Setters. London: G. Leighton-Boyce, 1985.
Riou, Jean. Les Setters: Anglais-Irlandais-Gordon. Paris: Craepin-Leblond, 1977.
Roberts, Janice. The Irish Setter. New York: ARCO Publ. Co., 1987.
Stahlkuppe, Joe. Irish Setters: everythng about purchase, care, nutrition, breeding, behavior, and training. New York: Barron's, 1992.
Thompson, William C. The New Irish Setter. New York: Howell Book House, 1975.
Von Hobbs, H. Irish Setter-A Complete Guide. New York: ARCO Publ. Co., 1977.
Last updated November 23, 1999.
Please send comments or questions to JoElla Young at jyoung@com1.med.usf.edu
This page was created as part of a course requirement for "Internet Resources" offered at the School of Library and Information Sciences at the University of South Florida.
Copyright ©1998 JoElla Young. No part of this page may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means--electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise--without the written permission of the copyright owner.
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