The Irish red and white setter is a dog native to Ireland that is characterized, among other things, for being the setter that gave rise to the Irish red setter breed. It is thought that they already existed in the 16th century, although it was thanks to the landowners of the 17th and 18th centuries that these dogs reached a greater height. They were specially intended for hunting.
Origin of the Irish Red and White Setter
The Irish red and white setter has its origin in Ireland in the 17th century, although there are documents that show that it already existed in the 16th century, since they described red and white hunting dogs. These red and white hunting dogs were popular canines with landowners in the 17th and 18th century. However, from the 19th century, dogs with only red fur were prioritized, so white and red setters were close to disappearing. However, there were some specimens that breeders recovered after the First World War.
In the year 1944 the Irish Red and White Club was created and the breed got its definitive boost. In 2009 it was recognized by the American Kennel Club and they could now compete in shows.
Characteristics of the Irish Red and White Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter is a medium-sized dog, with a height of 57-66 cm and a weight of 26 to 36 kg. The body of these dogs is strong and muscular, with a deep chest with arched ribs and a very powerful and muscular topline. The tail is of medium length, reaching no lower than hock and tapering towards the tip.
Continuing with the characteristics of the Irish red and white setter, their legs have strong bones, are muscular and long, which, together with the rest of their body, makes the movement of these dogs be fluid, free and energetic.
The head of the English Red and White Setter is long and slender, with a snout about the same length as the skull, a broad black nose, and a scissor bite. The eyes are dark hazel, the ears are set at eye level and are droopy and long. The neck is somewhat arched, muscular and moderately long.
Irish Red and White Setter Colors
The coat of the red and white Irish setter is long, straight or slightly wavy and silky. It has a somewhat longer hair with the appearance of "feathers" behind the fore and hind limbs, on the flanks to the chest, throat and the external part of the auditory pavilion. The tail is very thick with hair.
Mostly the base coat color is white and has more or less amount of red spots.
Irish red and white setter character
The temperament of these dogs is Happy, enthusiastic and affectionate They are dogs with a lot of energy, so they need to release it daily with exercises, games and various activities. They are also very tame and obedient dogs, very cunning and intelligent.
They are very friendly and sociable dogs, who get along well with all kinds of people and animals as long as they have been properly socialized since they were puppies, otherwise they develop unruly and capricious behavior. Being also very dependent, they don't like to spend time alone at home away from their human companions, and may develop destructive behaviors or separation anxiety.
Irish Red and White Setter Education
Due to his destructive, capricious and unruly nature, he should have early socialization and training, starting during his first weeks of life to get that affectionate and stable dog that can be. In the education of these dogs, it is also necessary to take into account their hunting instinct, since it was a dog destined for hunting activities, carrying out orders and doctrines to control this instinct for the future.
Training should be based on positive reinforcement, rewarding desirable behaviors without punishing them if they are not performed. In this way, learning will be achieved earlier and will be less traumatic and more effective. For more details, don't miss our article on How to train a puppy.
If you have adopted or are going to adopt an adult Irish Red and White Setter, don't worry, there is still time to socialize and educate him! Check this other article: "How to train a dog?".
Irish Red and White Setter Care
Because of the amount of energy and stamina these dogs have, they need to perform exercises, games and activities outside every day, making it an ideal dog for rural areas or for families that live in flats but are active and enjoy nature. Exercises in the park, long walks and excursions will be activities that your setter will enjoy. Also, given their intelligence, they love intelligence and interactive exercises and games. In this other article you will find intelligence games for dogs.
The coat of the Irish Red and White Setter should be brushed with some frequency to remove traces of dirt and activate blood circulation to may it grow strong and bright. The bath will be necessary when you are very dirty or need a treatment-type shampoo for a dermatological problem. The long ears of these dogs should be cleaned frequently to prevent otitis. Likewise, the teeth and eyes should also be cleaned and checked to prevent infection and inflammation, and the nails should be trimmed when they are too long.
These dogs must be fed complete, balanced, quality food in sufficient quantity to cover their daily energy needs according to their individual characteristics, which depend on conditions such as their physiological state, level of activity, weather or age. They are prone to being overweight, so the daily amount should be strictly adhered to along with exercise to keep the Irish Red and White Setter at optimum weight. Currently we find different types of food for dogs, with feed and homemade food being the most popular. It is possible to establish a homemade diet, but in this case it will be essential to consult a veterinarian specialized in canine nutrition to ensure that there are no nutritional deficiencies.
To prevent infectious and parasitic diseases common in this species, periodic vaccinations and deworming must be carried out Routine veterinary check-ups as well they are important for the Irish Red and White Setter to be well cared for and in adequate conditions to maintain their quality of life.
Irish Red and White Setter He alth
The Irish Red and White Setter has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years and is predisposed to a number of diseases such as following:
- Progressive retinal atrophy, in which the photoreceptors of the retina progressively degenerate (rods and cones) until it ends in blindness.
- Gastric dilatation-torsion, in which the stomach fills with food, dilating and twisting, seriously worsening the he alth of the dog causing shock.
- Hip dysplasia, which is an incongruity of the bones of the hip joint that creates instability, osteoarthritis and pain.
- Dental problems, such as periodontal disease.
- Eye problems, such as uveitis.
- Deafness.
Both to prevent possible pathologies and to detect in time those that cannot, it is essential to carry out adequate preventive medicine and attend regular veterinary check-ups.
Where to adopt an Irish red and white setter?
The Irish red and white setter can be adopted more easily in rural areas or in those places where there are areas where hunting is allowed, since on many occasions, unfortunately, these dogs and other breeds considered "hunting" are abandoned once the season is over. These dogs usually end up in shelters and protectors, so we recommend going to these centers to try to adopt a red and white Irish setter or a mestizo that comes from this breed. Another option is to search for rescue associations of setter dogs on the Internet.
Before thinking about adopting this dog, you should be aware of the care and needs it requires. Especially if we are talking about dogs that have already suffered abandonment or abuse, it is essential to assess whether or not you are really a good candidate to adopt them.
