Irish Setter Dogs Information

Written by: Debbie Moore

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Red Setter, Irish Red Setter

Common Misspellings:  Irish Sitter, Irishsetter, Irishsitter

Learn all about Irish Setter Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Irish Setter dog breed. You'll find solid information about Irish Setter dog history, Irish Setter life expectancy Irish Setter dog appearance, Irish Setter temperament and personality, Irish Setter health problems, Irish Setter puppy care, training Irish Setter puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Irish Setter dog breeder.

Are you looking for a large, exuberant dog that will bring a lot of love and endless energy into your home? If so, an Irish Setter might be the perfect choice for you. In addition to being among the most strikingly beautiful of all breeds of dog, Irish Setters can make terrific pets for active families of all sizes.

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Irish Setter Facts

The Irish Setter Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: Ireland

Irish Setter Height: Males: About 27 inches
Females: About 25 inches

Irish Setter Weight: Males: About 70 pounds
Females: About 60 pounds

Irish Setter Color Variations: Irish Setters have a glorious coat that ranges in shade from a mahogany color to a rich, chestnut red shade.

Irish Setter Size Variations: None

Irish Setter Exercise Needs: Demanding

Irish Setter Grooming Demands: Reasonable

Irish Setter Trainability: Moderate

Irish Setter Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

Average Irish Setter Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Yes

Breed Group: Sporting

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Irish Setter Dog History

The Irish Setter is the product of decades of selective breeding by Irish hunting enthusiasts, who needed a swift, keen-nosed dog that was large enough to be seen at a distance. It is thought that the Irish Setter is the result of the blending of Spaniels, Pointers and other Setter dogs, including the English Setter and the Gordon Setter.

These crosses produced the Red and White Setter; the progenitor of today's Irish Setter. The Irish Setter (known at the time as the Irish Red Setter) originated in the early 1800's in Ireland, and very soon thereafter found their way to North America, where they were found to be excellent bird game dogs and family companions.

In 1862, a special Irish Setter dog, Champion Palmerston, arrived on the scene. This dog was considered too refined for the field, and his less than humane owner intended to drown the hapless pup. Fortunately, another Irish Setter fancier stepped in, and led Champion Palmerston on the path to show ring glory. This more refined Irish Setter went on to sire many offspring, and almost all modern Irish Setter dogs can trace a part of their ancestry back to Palmerston.

This change from the original Irish Setter breed; with emphasis on looks over ability, dampened the ardor for this breed for many a sporting dog enthusiast. At the same time, the Irish Setter found glory in the show ring, and a strong following among those seeking the ultimate family dog.

Despite the breed's exceptional good looks and spritely personality, the Irish Setter remains a capable and desireable gun dog breed, and many gundog enthusiasts stand fast in their preference for the breed as a hunting companion.

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Irish Setter Dog Appearance

If you're looking for the canine version of a tall, good looking redhead, the Irish Setter might be the dog of your dreams. This strikingly beautiful breed has a silky mane of deep mahogany red hair that feathers elegantly over his legs and tail.

The Irish Setter is long and tall, standing up to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 70 pounds.

The Irish Setter has a regal appearance that belies his exuberant personality and hunting accumen. From his medium sized, almond shaped brown eyes to the end of his beautifully feathered tail, the Irish Setter is one of, if not the most, beautiful dog breeds in existence.

Irish Setters have low-set ears and relatively small feet. The coat is smooth and silky of medium length. It feathers gracefully over the legs, ears, chest, belly and tail. While this feature adds to the Irish Setter's overall beauty and grace, it also serves to protect the hunting Irish Setter from bushes and brambles while performing it's duties.

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Irish Setter Grooming

Irish setters do in fact originally come from Ireland, and share the physical characteristic of red hair with many of the people who hail from the same country. Irish Setters have thick, wavy coats that need to be brushed frequently. Even though these dogs have a lot of hair, they do not require much grooming. Some people have their dogs' coats trimmed fairly regularly, but many others find that weekly brushing and regular baths are sufficient to keep their dogs looking their best.

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Irish Setter Exercise Needs

Boundless balls of energy and joie de vivre are Irish Setters. These glorious dogs are extremely high energy and need to be placed in families where plenty of outdoor activity can be provided. You won't be likely to find an Irish Setter sitting patiently at the feet of a family engrossed in the WII for the 8th consecutive hour. This is one of the selling points of this glorious and gorgeous breed - it will get you and your family off your arses!

Irish Setter owners can expect to spend about 3 hours a day providing their dog or puppy with fun and exercise. Whether this is comprised of a long jog, a couple lengthy walks, or several spirited games of fetch in the back yard, your Irish Setter won't be a happy, healthy and well behaved dog without it.

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Irish Setter Temperament

Irish Setters enjoy the company of humans, and they get along very well with children. However, they are not cut out for being left alone for extended periods of time. When bored or lonely, these dogs have a tendency to be very loud and become quite destructive. An Irish Setter who doesn't feel he or she is getting enough attention will devote his or her energy to chewing everything in sight and barking incessantly.

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Irish Setter Training

Irish Setter dogs are highly intelligent creatures that also tend to be strong willed and somewhat stubborn. They are very fast learners, and they tend to do very well with obedience training.

It's best to start training Irish Setters when they are very young. If training doesn't start soon enough, your Irish Setter may pick up environmental cues that can lead to the development of bad habits. It's much better, for you and for your pet, to teach your Irish Setter good habits before negative behaviors begin to develop.

As with any dog breed, early and consistent obedience training is a must for the Irish Setter. Obedience training Irish Setters helps ensure that you have a well-behaved, amiable pet who will provide your family with fun and recreation, rather than knock down toddlers and any household knicknacks that get in it's way. Irish Setters are "party dogs" - they love to romp and frolick with great gusto. This tendency, although endearing, needs to be kept in check for the good of small children, visitors, your panty hose, etc.

Although not the most popular of hunting dogs, Irish Setters are an enthusiastic and tireless hunting breed - a great choice for waterfowl hunting enthusiasts. They have a keen nose, boundless energy, lightning fast speed, and intelligence to spare. Irish Setters are an excellent choice for a family who wants a companion that can be happy in the field - and in the home.

Irish Setter Health

Just like most purebred breeds of dog, the Irish Setter is not without hereditary health conditions that can crop up in a litter of puppies. Although there is no 100% guarantee of acquiring a healthy, disease free puppy, your best insurance is to purchase an Irish Setter puppy ONLY from a highly reputable, knowledgeable breeder who health tests their breeding dogs and offers a reasonable health guarantee.

A responsible Irish Setter breeder will usually have their breeding dogs undergo the following tests:

- Eye Testing
- DNA Testing for PRA
- Hip Testing and Clearance (OFA Hip)
- Heart Screening
- Thyroid Testing

Major health concerns that can be prevalent in the Irish Setter Dog Breed include:

- PRA (If both parent dogs have been DNA tested for PRA, this is very rarely a concern)
- CHD
- Gastric Torsion

Minor Health Concerns in Irish Setters:
- Megaesophagus
- Panosteitis
- HOD
- Osteosarcoma
- Hypothyroidism

Occasionally seen in Irish Setters:
- OCD
- Epilepsy
- Hemophilia A

Be sure to choose your Irish Setter breeder carefully. Ask for and check references. Request detailed information about what health tests the breeder has had performed on her breeding dogs, and the details of any health guarantees offered by the breeder. With due diligence in choosing the very best Irish Setter breeder you can find, you have the best chance of acquiring an Irish Setter puppy that will be healthy and sound with a great temperament to provide you and your family with many years of love and companionship.

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Is the Irish Setter Right For You?

Before you decide to add an Irish Setter to your family, it's important to consider whether or not you can provide your pet with the companionship he or she needs. These dogs are perfect for people who work from home and retirees. However, if your entire family is away from home for most of the day, this probably isn't the best type of dog for you.

When fully grown, Irish Setters typically stand about two feet tall, and can weigh as much as 75 pounds. They enjoy being active, and are not well suited for life in apartments or condominiums. They need plenty of room to roam around. These dogs fare best in homes with large fenced yards that afford them ample opportunities to engage in active play.

A breed for couch potatoes, the Irish Setter is NOT. Only active families need apply for the position of responsible Irish Setter owner. If you are an active family looking for a sensationally attractive, fun, companionable, loving, intelligent and exhuberant breed that will help you get out and enjoy plenty of outdoor activity, the Irish Setter is probably the perfect breed for you.

PLEASE NOTE: Always invest plenty of time and effort in locating a highly reputable Irish Setter dog breeder from which to buy a puppy. Never buy an Irish Setter in haste from a local newspaper ad or pet store. Take your time and research the breed and breeders offering puppies. One of the best resources for finding a reputable breeder is your local all-breed kennel club, or the nearest Irish Setter dog breed club.

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Irish Setter Prices

Average Irish Setter Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Irish Setter dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Irish Setter puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Irish Setter dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Irish Setter puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Irish Setter breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Irish Setter prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Irish Setter puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Irish Setter Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Irish Setter puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Irish Setter Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Irish Setter breeders. We actively screen Irish Setter breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Irish Setter breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Irish Setter puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Irish Setter puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Irish Setter dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional Irish Setter Resources:

• Irish Setter Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Irish Setter Breed Profile
• Irish Setter Pictures
• Irish Setter Videos

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