Irish Red and White Setter: temperament, size, care and health

About the Irish Red and White Setter

The Irish Red and White Setter is a strong, athletic gundog with a mostly white coat that carries clear red patches on the body and flecking on the face and legs. It is slightly heavier in bone and a little less refined than its red cousin, the Irish Setter, with a strong head and a coat of moderate length. Feathering falls from the ears, legs, chest and tail.

The breed was developed in Ireland to find game birds in open country and to indicate them by pointing, like other setters. The white coat is easy to see in tall grass and heather. Today the Red and White remains much rarer than the Irish Setter, kept by a small community of hunters and families who like a setter with a friendly, steady temperament.

Temperament and family life

An Irish Red and White Setter is friendly, outgoing and loyal. It usually gets along with children, other dogs and visitors, and shows little aggression or suspicion. It is energetic and playful but is often said to be a little calmer and more biddable than the Irish Setter. Young dogs remain boisterous for a few years.

The breed is people-oriented and needs company. A lonely or under-exercised dog tends to bark, dig or escape. Its hunting instincts remain strong, so cats and small pets need careful introductions, and a loose dog will follow a scent a long way. Early socialization and calm handling bring out the best of the breed.

Exercise and training

This is an active gundog that needs at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day. Long runs in a secure area, hikes, swimming and field work all suit it. The dog does best with space to move and with owners who relish being outdoors.

Training should be positive and consistent. The Red and White is intelligent and willing but can be distractible, and it takes time to mature. Short sessions that include games keep it interested. It excels in field trials, hunt tests, agility and obedience. Teach recall early and rely on a fenced yard and long lines until the dog is reliable. Harsh correction usually backfires.

Grooming and shedding

The silky, medium-length coat is not hard to keep, but it needs regular work. Brush two or three times a week, and more often if the dog works in brush, concentrating on the feathering behind the ears, on the legs and under the tail. Trim the feet and the hair at the back of the legs for easier care. Shedding is moderate.

Check and clean the ears weekly, since the long ears hold moisture. After field work examine the coat for burrs, seeds and ticks. The white coat shows stains and mud, so an occasional bath keeps it fresh. Nails need clipping, and teeth benefit from regular brushing.

Health

The breed is considered generally robust, but some inherited problems occur. Hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, allergies and bloat have been reported. A disorder of the immune system called canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency was once present in the breed and is now controlled by DNA testing, which responsible breeders use. They also screen hips and eyes. This is only general information about the breed, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about an individual dog.

History

The Red and White Setter is generally regarded as older than the solid red Irish Setter. As solid red dogs became fashionable for the show ring in the later nineteenth century, the red and white nearly disappeared and was kept alive by a few devoted breeders, mostly in Ireland. A revival began in the twentieth century, and the breed has been recognized in Ireland and internationally since. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 2009.

Is the Irish Red and White Setter right for you?

This setter suits an active family or hunter with a yard, who wants a friendly, medium-large dog and does not mind brushing. It is a good option for people who like an uncommon breed and have patience with an energetic adolescent.

It is a poor choice for apartment living or for someone away most of the day. The Irish Setter is more flamboyant and busier, and the English Setter is milder and softer. The Gordon Setter is heavier and more serious.