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DOGS BY BREED :: IRISH SETTER
Irish Setter
The Irish Setter comes from Ireland and was bred originally to hunt small game - bird setting and retrieving. The Irish Setter is also known by the other name of the Red Setter. This dog is classified as one of the Sporting Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this page. The Irish Setter was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1878.
History
The Irish Setter reached its current state mainly due to its breeding in Ireland as its name would imply. However, the fact that it was known originally in the early 18th century as the English Spaniel points at its origins. It was a cross of the Irish Water Spaniel, Spanish Pointers and the English and Gordon Setters. The breed truly became popular during Queen Victoria's England where its energy and colouring made it popular as both a Gun dog and Show dog.
Coat and Colors Information
The Irish Setter's coat is normally a shade of deep chestnut. The coat is moderately long and straight.
Potential Health Problems
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog health problems, including those of the Irish Setter, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the Irish Setter can include:
- Hip Dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints)
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Skin Problems
Grooming and Care
The Irish Setter requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older Irish Setter dogs.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for this particular breed is 12 Ð 14 years.
Age comparison between the Irish Setter Dog Breed and a Human
Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age.
Sporting Dog (Gundog) Breed Information
Dogs in the Sporting group, which are referred to in England as Gundogs, which include the Irish Setter, can be divided into three main categories - Retrievers, Pointers and Setters. These dogs were bred primarily to work with people to hunt game birds. Some of these dogs work in water whilst other dogs are more suited to work on land and many of the dogs in the Sporting dog category are comfortable and capable of working in either land or water environments. Sporting dogs, including the Irish Setter, are particularly suited to wood and field activities. The Retriever, Pointer and Setter dogs and their main functionalities are as follows:
- The Retriever dog - Retriever dogs find and return killed game to the hunter. Some Retrievers are especially equipped, for instance with a water-repellent coat and webbed feet, for retrieving downed waterfowl.
- The Pointer dog - Pointer dogs stand in front of their quarry, with their nose and body rigidly still , thus directing (or pointing) the hunter to its location.
- The Setter dog - Setter dogs were originally trained to set, or crouch, in front of game preventing the escape of the quarry. The hunter would make the capture with a net.
Sporting Dogs hunt by air scent, as opposed to ground scent used by the dogs categorised as being in the Hound category. Characteristics and features of Sporting Dogs have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the various Sporting breeds, or Gundogs, including the Irish Setter, were initially introduced to help man according to his specific requirements such as:
- Hunting game birds
- Hunting waterfowl
- Retrieving game that had been shot and wounded
- Pointing to game to allow the hunter to catch or shoot the quarry
- Startling, or flushing, birds from their cover
