Irish Setter

Is an Irish Setter right for you?

The Irish Setter (Irish Red Setter), with its glossy chestnut-red coat and elegant build, is one of the most recognisable gundogs. It is sweet-natured, people-loving and delighted to play with children. Its beauty often hides the real story: this is a high-energy breed developed to run the fields for hours searching for birds, one that matures late and behaves "like a puppy" for years.

The most important thing to know before getting this breed is how much patience it takes: Irish Setters often keep their puppy energy and distractibility until three or four years of age.

Before you adopt

Genetic tests: DNA tests exist for several inherited diseases in this breed, and a responsible breeder knows them. Ask about the parents' results for CLAD (canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency), the early-onset (rcd1) and late-onset (rcd4) forms of progressive retinal atrophy, hip evaluation and thyroid testing. Breeding two carriers of CLAD or rcd1 can produce affected puppies.

Don't confuse it with the Red and White Setter: The Irish Red and White Setter is a separate breed. If puppies with white patches are sold as "Irish Setters", question the paperwork; the standard allows small white markings on the chest, throat and toes, not clear white patches.

Legal status: The breed is not on dangerous-dog lists in the countries we know of, including Turkey.

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Irish Setter as keen, intelligent, energetic, affectionate and loyal. In daily life that description is spot on.

It loves people: family, visitors and strangers met on the street are all greeted cheerfully. It generally gets on with other dogs and pets, but has a hunting instinct towards birds.

Its energy does not fade in adulthood. VCA describes the breed as a tirelessly enthusiastic companion and stresses that it is no lap dog.

It is easily distracted. It is clever but finds focusing hard, so keep training sessions short and fun. Once it locks onto a scent or a bird it may not hear you.

It is sensitive. It does not respond well to harsh voices or punishment and needs a gentle, consistent owner. It is generally not a big barker.

Health issues and lifespan

Sources usually give a lifespan of 12-14 years. The main health topics highlighted by the American breed club are:

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat): The most serious emergency in this deep-chested breed. A rapidly swelling belly, trying but failing to vomit, restlessness and drooling. It can kill within hours; go to an emergency vet without waiting. Avoid vigorous exercise for at least an hour before and after meals.
• Hypothyroidism: Common in the breed. Weight gain, lethargy, hair loss and a dull coat, intolerance of cold. Diagnosed by blood test and controlled lifelong with tablets.
• Epilepsy: Seizures usually begin in young adulthood. See a vet after the first seizure; a seizure lasting more than five minutes or seizures in clusters are an emergency.
• Hip dysplasia: Limping, difficulty getting up. Weight control in puppyhood reduces the risk.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): The rcd1 form causes blindness very early; rcd4 in later life. Difficulty seeing at night is the first sign. DNA tests are available.
• CLAD: A recessively inherited disease that cripples the immune system. Puppies show repeated severe bacterial infections, gum inflammation and skin wounds that will not heal. There is no cure; parent DNA testing prevents it completely.
• Megaoesophagus: The oesophagus widens and fails to move food to the stomach. Effortless regurgitation of undigested food shortly after eating (different from vomiting), failure to gain weight and coughing. See a vet because of the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

The breed club also lists hypertrophic osteodystrophy (swelling around the joints, fever and lameness in fast-growing puppies) and several cancers among the breed's health concerns.

Feeding

An adult Irish Setter (27-32 kg) usually eats 300-450 g of quality dry food a day depending on activity. Because of its long, lean build, check its weight by hand rather than by eye: the ribs should be easy to feel.

• Puppy (2-12 months): Large-breed puppy food, three meals a day. Slow growth is the rule; excess calories and too much calcium increase joint problems.
• Adult: 22-26% protein; a higher-energy food for active dogs.
• Senior (8+ years): Calories reduced; monitor weight and thyroid.

Feed at least two meals a day and avoid single large meals. Ask your vet whether to use a floor-level or raised bowl; dogs diagnosed with megaoesophagus may need to be fed in an upright position.

In hot weather, move exercise to cooler hours; the dark coat heats up quickly in the sun.

Grooming and coat

A moderately long, silky, flat or slightly wavy coat, with feathering on the ears, chest, backs of the legs and tail.

• Brush two to three times a week. Behind the ears, the armpits and the leg feathering mat most easily.
• A monthly bath plus trimming of the paw pads and around the ears; VCA recommends regular clipping.
• Do not shave. A clipped setter coat can lose its texture and no longer protects from the sun.
• Check ears weekly: Long, hairy drop ears are prone to infection; dry them after swimming.
• After walks in the countryside remove grass seeds and burrs from the coat; they can work into the skin, especially in the paws and ears.
• Nails every three to four weeks, teeth several times a week.

Training and exercise

Daily requirement: about two hours, part of it as off-lead running in a safe area. PetMD notes that the breed stays high-energy in adulthood and is not suited to apartment life. Long brisk walks, jogging, fetch and swimming are ideal.

Priorities:

1. Recall. It runs far when it sees a bird and forgets to come back. Work on a long training line in a fenced area; do not let it off lead in open country until you fully trust it.
2. Focus work. Short (5-10 minute), frequent sessions mixed with play. Long repetition bores it.
3. Calm greetings. It tends to jump up on people in excitement; tackle this early in families with children.
4. Lead manners. It is long-legged and fast; correct pulling in puppyhood.
5. Socialisation (8-16 weeks). Naturally friendly, but getting used to different places and sounds builds confidence in sensitive individuals.
6. Being left alone. Build it up gradually.

During puppyhood (the first 12-18 months) avoid long runs, repeated jumping on hard ground and forced stair work; joints can be damaged before the growth plates close.

History

The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland for bird hunting. According to the FCI standard it derives from the Irish Red and White Setter and an unknown solid red dog, and was recognised as a distinct type in the 18th century.

The name "setter" comes from the dog's habit of crouching ("setting") when it found birds to show the hunter where they were. Before firearms, hunters caught birds with nets while the dog lay down without flushing them.

In the 19th century interest in solid red setters grew in Ireland and red dogs gradually became dominant. The Irish Red Setter Club was founded in 1882 and published a breed standard in 1886.

In the 20th century part of the breed developed as show dogs with longer coats and a more elegant build, while field lines stayed lighter and less feathered. Both types exist under the same breed name today; dogs from field lines are usually even more energetic.