Irish setter with a show coat.
Photo: Kent & Donna Dannen
Height: 25-27 inches.
Weight: 60-75 lbs.
Life Span: 10-12 yrs.
Breed Group:
Sporting Dogs Overview
Well-bred, properly trained, and socialized Irish setters make wonderful companions. They need enormous amounts of daily exercise, however, or they become nervous, hyperactive, and destructive. They are very friendly with children (although their exuberance may be overwhelming) and with other dogs. Irish Setters may bark when someone comes to the door, but they warm up quickly. They must be leashed when they are walked as they tend to run off; "come" seems to be a particularly difficult command for this breed to learn. Irish setters are happiest in an environment where they can run and play a lot.
Appearance
The coat is of moderate length, straight, and flat. Feathering is long, straight, and silky on the ears and legs. Color is mahogany or rich chestnut red. A very small amount of white may appear on the chest, throat, or toes.
Grooming & Exercise Needs
Irish setters need to be brushed and combed twice a week and trimmed every three months. They must be allowed to run free in a secured area every day.
Origins
Irish setters were developed in Ireland in the 18th century as hunting dogs. When they find hiding birds, they freeze, flush, and then retrieve the birds after the hunter has shot them.
Special Alerts
It is especially important to obtain an Irish setter from a reputable breeder. Breed-related health concerns: hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, juvenile cataracts, osteosarcoma, otitis externa, hypothyroidism, bloat.
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