Setter (Irish Red and White)

The Irish Red and White setter is almost identical to its cousin the Irish setter in its temperament. It has an athletic body and makes a very good gundog. They are very friendly and don’t make very good guard dogs. Their intelligence and strong sense of smell gives them superior hunting abilities. They are used for hunting in all kinds of terrain.

Its feet are close knit and there is good feathering between the toes. Its tail tapers to a fine point and is strong at the root. Its back is muscular and very powerful. Its neck is muscular too but is not too thick. It has a strong jaw with a scissor bite. It has a deep chest and laid back shoulders. Their shiny fine coat is very attractive and feathering is seen on the back of the legs, tail and under the body.

An Irish Red and White setter has a pure white coat with deep red patches. Flecking is permitted up to the elbow and the hock. It can have hazel or dark brown eyes. They are very sensitive and make great companions for children. Establishing an authority over them at a very young age is important or they may not take commands from you.

Their coat is of the medium length and is quite easy to maintain. Daily brushing is all that is required. You may have to keep the hair free of tangles when the dog is molting. This breed, being an average shedder, doesn’t pose a big problem when kept indoors. Bathing the dog should be done only when necessary with a mild shampoo.

Irish Red and White setters prefer the country life to city life as they need a lot of open space to explore and run about. They will need daily walks or a run. When they are not given adequate exercise, they will become very difficult to manage. The field lines of this breed have a shorter coat than the show lines. They also have a higher requirement of activity.

Training this breed takes a long time and is quite challenging. You will have to be firm with them while training as they don’t listen to gentle treatment. They are very intelligent and can be very affectionate dogs. They have high energy levels and enjoy active families. They are best raised in homes with a large yard where they can run freely. The usual health problem is eye related and one should get its eyes checked regularly.

They usually live up to 11-15 years. Even when it is taken for walks, it is important to make it follow you and not the other way around. It will obey your commands only if it is made to think that you are the leader. They are fun to have at home and their upbeat nature will rub off on everybody watching them. Their intelligence makes them good gundogs but they need an experienced owner who can train them with authority.