Irish Setter: Dog Breed Information, Facts and Pictures

Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Affectionate, Energetic, Lively, Independent, Playful, Companionable
Weight: Female: 24–29 kg, Male: 27–32 kg
Height: Female: 55–62 cm, Male: 58–67 cm
Colors: Mahogany, Tan, Chestnut

The Irish Setter is a zealous, intelligent and eager to learn dog. He shows himself every day again full of energy and likes to spend a lot of time with his owner. Since he has a strong desire to move, he has to be extensively moved daily. As a hunting dog, he enjoys especially long trips to nature, where he can run, rummage and hunt to his heart's content. It is characterized by protruding at a long distance. To his family or his master, the Irish Setter proves to be a loving dog who is faithful to his people. He is fond of children and friendly, but at the same time wants to be both physically and mentally engaged. The Irish Setter always seeks closeness to humans and copes badly with them if he is too often left to himself.

The Irish Setter is a very independent dog who needs an experienced and energetic owner. If he is educated consistently and with the necessary empathy, he obeys reliable despite his great self-confidence. As a hunting dog he is extremely resistant and persistent. He has a high level of energy and works tirelessly and disciplined during the hunt. He performs valuable services both in the forest and in the field, moving very fast forward. The Irish Setter not only convinces as a persistent pointer with a good sense of smell, but is also suitable for presence, retrieving and water work. Even outside the hunt, he is constantly on the lookout for game - a trait that the owners should be aware of.

Today's use of the Irish Setter varies by region. While he is still used as a hunting dog in his Irish homeland, he is popular in England above all as an exhibition dog. The friendly and child-loving Irish Setter is also well suited as a family and companion dog. However, he wants to be extensively and preferably moved in the wild. People who can afford little time for their dog, therefore, only to a limited extent with the Irish Setter cope. His temperamental character also requires a consistent education by an experienced keeper who knows how to prevail against the confident Irish setter.

The Irish Setter was originally created by intersections between Pointern and imported from France red-white Epagneuls. He has always been used as a hunting and working dog in his Irish homeland. The breed type was already clear in the 18th century. Through a rigorous selection and further crossbreeding, one finally achieved in the 19th century improved racial characteristics, which are very close to today's. In 1874, red and red-white setters were shown for the first time in Dublin at an exhibition. In 1876, the Ulster Irish Red Setter Club still combined both color variants under the term Irish Setter, from 1882 only red setters were recognized. The first breed standard was set in 1886 by the Irish Red Setter Club.

The Irish Setter has straight and sinewy forelegs with deep elbows. The shoulder is deep and is stored diagonally to the rear. The hindquarters are wide and powerful with long, muscular thighs. The lower legs are short and strong, the ankles well angled.