Content
- Irish Setter: origin
- Irish Setter: physical characteristics
- Irish Setter: personality
- Irish Setter: care
- Irish Setter: education
- Irish Setter: health
O irish setter, also known as red irish setter, is considered one of the most beautiful and glamorous dog breeds on the planet due to its slender figure and reddish-brown fur, soft and shiny. Even though it was originally a hunting dog, the undeniable beauty of the Irish Setter meant that the dog started to attend the most important and renowned dog shows, an environment in which it is now very common to find it. In this form of PeritoAnimal, you can see all the information about this breed of dog and, if you are thinking of adopting a dog, know that they are independent, sociable, curious and very active dogs. They are perfect for families with children as they are very kind and familiar. Keep reading and find out everything about this breed of dog.
Source
- Europe
- Ireland
- Group VII
- provided
- toy
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- Giant
- 15-35
- 35-45
- 45-55
- 55-70
- 70-80
- more than 80
- 1-3
- 3-10
- 10-25
- 25-45
- 45-100
- 8-10
- 10-12
- 12-14
- 15-20
- Low
- Average
- High
- Sociable
- Intelligent
- Active
- Tender
- Docile
- Kids
- floors
- hiking
- Hunting
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Long
- Thin
Irish Setter: origin
O irish setter originates from Red and White Irish Setter, or Red and White Irish Setter, a breed of dog that is little known nowadays. In fact, the Red Irish Setter ended up gaining so much popularity that when you talk about the Irish Setter you think of him and not the dog's predecessor.
Until the 18th century, the predominant breed of dog was the Red and White Irish Setter, widely used as a bird hunting dog and, as the name implies, from the Ireland. However, the creation of today's most famous Irish Setter really only began in the 19th century. During this period, these dogs were used exclusively for hunting and the specimens, unfortunately, used to be sacrificed if they had been born without the desired characteristics for the activity.
Around 1862, an Irish Setter was born that did not have the ideal characteristics for hunting. The animal's head was longer and more delicately built than the others and, therefore, its breeder decided to end the dog's life through cruel drowning. However, luckily for the animal, another breeder in love with this breed of dog was in awe of the dog and decided to keep it, thus saving the life of the Irish Setter. This received the name of Champion Palmerston and became the sensation of dog shows at the time.
This completely changed the history of the breed, as Champion Palmerston left several descendants and ended up becoming a type of dog much desired by breeders, who were now no longer hunters, but people related to dog shows and competitions. Therefore, all dogs of this breed have as an ancestor the Irish Setter who was saved from being drowned. Furthermore, it is thanks to that dog, and to the breeder full of compassion and respect for animals, that nowadays Irish Setters are more common as pets, show dogs and competition than hunting dogs.
During the 20th century, some lovers of the breed even tried to recover the original Irish Setter and managed to create a slightly smaller, compact and shorter-haired specimen than the current Red Irish Setter. However, this new variety ended up not conquering many breeders. Currently, in the 21st century, this breed of dog is hardly seen in hunting environments anymore, but rather as a pet. Even so, despite the beauty that the dog has, it is not one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, perhaps because of the great need it has to exercise.
Irish Setter: physical characteristics
According to the International Cynological Federation (FCI) standard, the height from the withers to the ground of Irish Setter males must be between the 58 and 67 cm, while females must be between 55 and 62 cm. The ideal weight is not indicated by the institution, however, this breed of dog usually weighs around 30 kgs.
The Red Irish Setter is a dog tall, elegant, slim and owner of a very beautiful and silky reddish-brown coat. this dog's body is athletic and with good proportions, this animal having a deep and narrow chest, the loin muscular and slightly arched. The head of this breed of dog is elongated and thin with an oval skull and a well-defined naso-frontal (stop) depression.
The nose can be black or mahogany. The muzzle is of moderate depth and the bite is scissors-like. The animal's eyes are very large and can be dark hazel or dark brown. The ears are set low and posterior, fall out making a very clear fold and usually end at the height of the animal's upper back or even a little lower.
However, the coat is one of the most striking features of the Irish Setter. On the head, on the front of the paws and on the tips of the ears, this dog's fur is short and fine. In other parts of the body, it is longer, even forming fringes on the ears, chest, belly, back of the legs and tail. The color accepted by FCI is a reddish-brown drawn to mahogany. Small white patches on the chest, feet, fingers and even on the animal's face are also accepted, but never black spots.
Irish Setter: personality
Generally speaking, the Irish Setter is a breed of dog. happy, independent, very sociable and curious. These dogs are also smart and kind, but they still have a strong hunting instinct. This type of dog is easy to socialize, both with adults and children and other animals, as it is not usually aggressive. That's why they are excellent pets for families with children or who already have other animals.
However, it is important to emphasize that the socialization process of this breed of dog, as well as all others, must start from the puppy so that dangerous, aggressive or just unwanted behaviors do not develop in adulthood. So when a irish setter puppy he is well educated, he grows up and tends not to have serious conduct problems. What should be commented, however, is that, being very active, this breed of dog needs a lot daily exercise. If they aren't exercising enough, these dogs become frustrated and easily develop destructive habits.
Because of his friendly and sociable personality, the Irish Setter is an excellent companion for people who have enough time and space to give him love, affection and daily exercise.Therefore, this breed of dog is not recommended for people who are more sedentary or who live in small apartments, but rather for dynamic families that enjoy outdoor activities.
Irish Setter: care
Regarding the care that must be taken with this breed of dog, the Irish Setter's coat needs to be brushed once a day to keep it silky and knotless. About baths, they shouldn't be given often, only if the dog is dirty.
The Red Irish Setter's exercise needs are very high. With this type of dog, a short walk on a leash is not enough. This animal needs long walks in which he, preferably, can run freely in a safe, secure and fenced place. Ideally, this dog can play with other dogs in a dedicated animal park or explore the countryside.
In addition, these dogs also need to company and attention. Even though they are independent dogs and need a daily time to run alone or with other animals, they also need to be with the family that adopted them and with friends. Therefore, during the tours it is also good that the Irish Setter can socialize with other people and pets.
As we have already said, due to the physical characteristics and active personality, this breed of dog does not adapt to live in small houses or apartments or in densely populated urban areas or where there are no green and open spaces. These dogs do much better in homes with large yards in which they can run or in rural areas where they can have more freedom.
Irish Setter: education
For being smart, the Irish Setter learn easily, but the animal's hunting instinct also causes it to distract often. Therefore, one must be very patient with training, which works best if positive methods are used.
Irish Setter: health
Unfortunately for the Irish Setter and its breeders, this breed of dog is one that, because it was artificially bred, has a high probability of suffering from some hereditary diseases and conditions. Among the most common pathologies in these dogs are:
- Progressive retinal atrophy;
- Hip dysplasia;
- Gastric torsion.
With a lower chance of happening in an Irish Setter, but which still occur with some frequency in this breed of dog, there are diseases such as:
- Epilepsy;
- Hemophilia A;
- Panosteitis;
- Fibrous osteodystrophy.