The Irish Setter is a medium to large breed of dog known for its distinctive red coat and friendly demeanor. They typically weigh between 60-70 pounds.
Irish Setters are a popular breed due to their intelligence, energy, and affectionate nature. They're often described as "velcro dogs" because they love to be close to their family members.
Their medium to large size requires regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity. A daily walk and playtime are essential to keep them happy and active.
Physical Characteristics
Irish Setters are a medium to large breed of dog, standing between 24 to 28 inches tall.
Their coats are moderately long, silky, and of a red or chestnut color, requiring frequent brushing to maintain their condition and keep them mat-free.
The undercoat is abundant in winter weather, and the top coat is fine, with feathering in places like the tail, ears, chest, legs, and body.
Males weigh between 65 to 75 pounds, while females weigh between 55 to 65 pounds.
Irish Setters are deep-chested dogs with small waists, a characteristic that's evident in their overall physique.
Their average life expectancy is around 11 to 12 years.
Breed Overview
The Irish Setter is a medium to large-sized breed, typically weighing between 60-70 pounds and standing between 24-27 inches tall.
They have a muscular build, which is due to their athletic ability and high energy level.
Their friendly and outgoing personality makes them a popular choice as family pets.
Coat Color and Grooming
The Irish Setter's coat is one of its most distinctive and beautiful features. It's a burnished mahogany or rich chestnut red color, with a short and fine texture on the head and forelegs.
Brushing your Irish Setter regularly is essential to keep its coat shiny and tangle-free. Brush your Irish Setter at least every other day.
You'll also need to check for burrs and other debris after it's been out in the field or on a hike. This is especially important if your Irish Setter loves to explore the outdoors.
Irish Setters don't need to be bathed frequently, unless they roll in something stinky or you plan to show them. Unless he rolls in something stinky, he shouldn’t need a bath more than a couple of times a year.
Take a look at this: German Shorthaired Pointer Coat
To keep your Irish Setter's ears healthy, check them weekly and wipe them out with a cotton ball moistened with a cleanser recommended by your veterinarian. Never stick cotton swabs or anything else into the ear canal.
Start accustoming your Irish Setter to being brushed and examined when it's a puppy. Handle its paws frequently, as dogs are touchy about their feet.
Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you'll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when it's an adult.
Worth a look: When Should You Breed a Female Dog
Breed Group
If you're curious about your dog's breed group, you can check out DNA tests like Wisdom Panel's to discover if your dog is an Irish Setter.
The breed group can give you insight into your dog's ancestry and characteristics.
Breed groups often have specific traits and characteristics that are common among breeds within that group.
For more insights, see: German Shorthaired Pointer Group
Health and Nutrition
To prevent bloat, a serious health issue in Irish Setters, break your dog's food into several meals a day and use a slow-feeder bowl. This can help slow down their eating rate and reduce the risk of twisted stomach.
Irish Setters are prone to becoming overweight, so it's essential to monitor their food intake and measure out meals to avoid overfeeding. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories.
To determine the right amount of daily calories for your Irish Setter, work with your vet based on their activity levels and age. A protein-rich formula can provide plenty of fuel for field activities or a daily romp in the dog park.
Health
Maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for overall well-being, with a strong gut microbiome linked to better digestion, immune function, and even mental health.
Fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help support a balanced gut microbiome.
A diet high in processed and sugary foods can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.
Eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi can introduce beneficial probiotics into the gut.
Probiotics have been shown to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining healthy digestion and preventing constipation.
Drinking enough water can help regulate bowel movements and prevent dehydration.
Adequate sleep is also crucial for gut health, with research suggesting that sleep deprivation can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.
Getting enough physical activity can also help regulate digestion and improve overall gut health.
Exercise has been shown to increase the production of gut hormones that regulate digestion and appetite.
A healthy diet and lifestyle can help support a strong immune system, which is crucial for fighting off infections and diseases.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide essential vitamins and minerals that support immune function.
Getting enough vitamin D through sun exposure, supplements, or fortified foods is also essential for immune health.
Curious to learn more? Check out: German Shorthaired Pointer Health Issues
Diet and Nutrition
Irish Setters are prone to bloat, a life-threatening condition, so it's essential to feed them slowly and carefully. Use a food bowl designed to slow their rate of eating, and avoid feeding them immediately after exercise.
To prevent overfeeding, monitor your Irish Setter's food intake and measure out meals to avoid accidental overfeeding. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's calories.
A high-quality food that's appropriate for your Irish Setter's life stage and energy level is crucial for their nutritional needs. Work with your vet to determine the right amount of daily calories based on their activity levels and age.
Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent bloat, and using a slow-feeder dog bowl may also be helpful. A protein-rich formula can provide plenty of fuel for your Irish Setter's active lifestyle.
A healthy weight is crucial for your Irish Setter's overall health, so keep an eye on their food intake and adjust as needed. If you're unsure whether your dog is overweight, give them the eye test and the hands-on test to check for a visible waist and feel their ribs.
General Information
Irish Setters are a medium to large breed of dog. They typically weigh between 60 and 70 pounds.
Their weight range is influenced by their height, with males weighing more than females.
History
The Irish Setter breed has a rich history that dates back to 18th-century Ireland.
The breed was developed from a mix of Old Spanish Pointers, setting spaniels, and early Scottish setters, resulting in a dog with a solid red coat, although early versions were white with red blotches.
Irish hunters bred these dogs to work on any terrain and in any climate, making them excellent at scent-hunting, pointing, and retrieving.
They were first imported to the United States in the early 19th century with Irish immigrants and quickly gained popularity.
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1878, and by the 1970s, the Irish Setter was one of the most popular breeds in America.
The breed's popularity soared in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks in part to the books and movie featuring an Irish Setter named Big Red.
Today, the Irish Setter ranks 68th among the 155 breeds and varieties recognized by the AKC.
The breed was developed to assist bird hunters, using their keen sense of smell to detect birds and "set" or take a low stance with their body nearly touching the ground.
The Irish Setter's rich red coat is a result of further breeding, which eliminated the patches of white found in earlier versions of the breed.
The breed has two sub-types: field and show, with the show-type setters being the most common and featuring a thick, flowing red coat and heavy bones.
The field-type setter has been intentionally bred to retain its working abilities and has a more compact stature and less feathering.
The Irish Setter excels in the field, show ring, and family room, and has had the distinction of winning the Westminster Kennel Club's Sporting Group competition 11 times.
They Were Called
In the United States, this breed was once referred to as the Irish Red Setter to help ensure they were distinguished from the Red and White Setters that were also popular in Ireland.
The Irish Red Setter name was used to clarify the difference between the two breeds, making it easier for people to know what they were getting.
Irish Setter Care
Irish Setters require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their coats.
Their high energy level means they need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, which can be achieved through running, hiking, or playing fetch.
To maintain their ideal weight, Irish Setters need a balanced diet that's rich in protein and low in calories.
Their short coats require minimal bathing, but regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are essential.
A well-exercised Irish Setter will burn off excess energy, helping to prevent obesity and related health issues.
Irish Setters are generally healthy dogs, but they can be prone to certain health issues, such as cancer and eye problems, which require regular veterinary check-ups.
For more insights, see: German Wirehaired Pointer Health Issues
Interesting Facts
Irish Setters are large dogs, typically standing 25-27 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing 60-70 pounds.
They have a long, silky coat that requires daily brushing to prevent matting.
The lifespan of an Irish Setter is 12-15 years, which is relatively long for a dog of their size.
Elcho was one of the first Irish Setters to come to the United States and is considered one of the founding fathers of the breed in the country.
Irish Setters are friendly, outgoing, and intelligent dogs that love to be around people.
They need at least 30-60 minutes of exercise per day, which can include playing fetch, going for walks, and running around in the yard.
Here are some key characteristics of the Irish Setter breed:
- Origin: Ireland
- Size: 25-27 inches tall at the shoulder, 60-70 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Coat: Long, silky, and flowing
- Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, and intelligent
- Exercise needs: 30-60 minutes per day
Sources
- JSTOR (jstor.org)
- scholar (google.com)
- news (google.com)
- "Irish Setter" (google.com)
- standard (fci.be)
- "Irish with a dash of Limey" (si.com)
- "Breed Information Centre — Irish Setter" (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- Irish Setter Dogs (irishsetterdogs.com)
- Irish Setter (curlie.org)
- http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/IrishSetter.pdf (akc.org)
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/things-about-the-irish-setter/ (akc.org)
- https://atascazooanimalhospital.com/client-resources/breed-info/irish-setter/ (atascazooanimalhospital.com)
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/irish-setter/ (akc.org)
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/fun-facts-about-the-irish-setter/ (akc.org)
- desire to chase (hillspet.com)
- The Irish Setter Club of Canada (irishsetterclubofcanada.com)
- Irish Setter Rescue in New Jersey (irishrescue.org)
- Irish Setter Club of Ohio Rescue (irishsetterclubofohio.com)
- NorCal Irish Setter Rescue, Inc. (facebook.com)
- Irish Setter Club of America Rescue (irishsetterclub.org)
- The Irish Setter Club of America (irishsetterclub.org)
- AKC-recognition (akc.org)
- American Kennel Club Breeder Listing (akc.org)
- Irish Setter Club of America Breeder Listing (irishsetterclub.org)
- Save Our Setters Rescue (saveoursetters.org)
- Irish Setter Club of America Rescue Organization (irishsetterclub.org)
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