Irish Setter: temperament, size, care and health

About the Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a tall, elegant bird dog with a long, clean head, silky ears and a coat of deep chestnut or mahogany that looks rich in the sun. Feathering falls from the ears, chest, belly, legs and tail. A deep chest and long legs give the breed a speedy, flowing stride, and the field type is usually leaner and less heavily coated than the show type.

It was bred to range ahead of a hunter, find game birds by scent and indicate them by freezing in a crouch, a stance that gave setters their name. Hunters still use it, though today the Irish Setter is more often kept as a sporty family dog by people who appreciate its good looks and exuberance.

Temperament and family life

An Irish Setter is outgoing and playful, and tends to be friendly with nearly everyone. It enjoys children and other dogs, and it has little guarding instinct. The breed is slow to grow up, and many stay clownish well past their third birthday. A young setter that is not exercised well can be loud, destructive and clumsy.

These dogs need company. They often follow family members from room to room and may suffer when left alone. They are not a good choice for an owner who wants a quiet or dignified dog. A secure fence is needed because a setter that sees a bird or squirrel may run a long way without paying attention to calls.

Exercise and training

The Irish Setter needs a great deal of exercise: at least an hour and a half of hard running, hiking or swimming daily for an adult in good shape. A secure off-leash area is ideal, but owners should be realistic about recall.

The breed is intelligent, but it tends to be easily distracted and a little stubborn, particularly in adolescence. Training should be upbeat, short and consistent, with plenty of patience. Harsh correction is counterproductive. Irish Setters can do well in field work, agility, obedience and tracking when they have a good trainer, but they seldom match the focus of a herding breed.

Grooming and shedding

The long coat requires regular care. Brush several times a week, and daily if the dog is working in brush, with attention to the feathering on the ears, chest, legs and tail, where tangles form. A comb that reaches through the feathering helps.

Many owners trim the feet and the hair at the base of the ears and keep a bath routine every month or two. The ears are long and hang low, so clean them weekly and watch for infection. Shedding is moderate, with long red hairs on clothes and furniture. Check for foxtails, burrs and ticks after outdoor outings.

Health

Bloat is a significant concern for this deep-chested breed, and owners should learn the signs and discuss prevention with a veterinarian. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, allergies, epilepsy and certain cancers occur. Eye diseases including progressive retinal atrophy have a DNA test, and a gluten-sensitive intestinal disorder has been reported in some lines. Breeders should screen hips, eyes and thyroid and can explain test results. Treat this as general information and ask a veterinarian about the dog in front of you.

History

The breed grew out of Irish setters that included red and white dogs as well as solid red ones, and the solid red type gained favor in the nineteenth century as dog shows spread. Irish breeders and sportsmen refined it for field work and for style. The Irish Setter came to the United States in the early nineteenth century and became popular both in the field and as a show dog and pet. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1878.

Is the Irish Setter right for you?

An Irish Setter suits an active family with a secure yard, time for daily exercise and patience with a long adolescence. It is a happy companion for hikers and runners and a fine hunting dog when bred for it.

It is not a good match for apartment living, for sedentary owners or for anyone who wants a calm, obedient dog from the start. The Irish Red and White Setter is a rarer relative that is more steady. The Gordon Setter is heavier and more serious, and the English Setter is gentler.