The Irish Red and White Setter is a breed of dogs very similar to the Irish Setter. It was developed as a gun dog breed with the purpose of assisting in the hunting of game birds. The breed was near to be extinct at around 1850, but total extinction never happened, due to the efforts of a few dedicated breeders who kept it alive. Nowadays, the breed is used in all kinds of hunting activities, because these dogs have an excellent sense of smell and they are adaptable to any climate and any terrain, including wetlands.
The Irish Red and White Setter dogs have a strong, powerful and muscular body and a long head. They stand at 62 - 66 centimeters in case of males, while females can measure 56 to 61 centimeters in height. Their weight is somewhere between 25 and 34 kilograms. The eyes, dark brown or hazel, are positioned at the same level with the ears. The tail is strong and of medium length. As the name of the breed suggests, the coat is clearly parti-colored, the base color being white with big red patches.
This breed consists of energetic, intelligent and affectionate specimens. These dogs are not suitable as watchdogs or guard dogs, because they lack guarding instincts, but, on the other side, with proper training, they can become great companions, who behave very well with children and other pets - except for the small ones. Because of their hunting instincts, special attention is needed if you want to keep these dogs near small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and birds. They may become destructive if the owners do not find ways to consume their energy, which is the reason why they are not suitable for apartment life. It would be far better for them to have a large yard for running and playing.
To avoid becoming difficult to manage, they should be taken on a daily long walk or jog. Because of their native intelligence, training should be accomplished very easily, as long as the owner can display calm, yet firm authority. Strict discipline will not work well with this kind of dogs.
The dogs of this breed do not require very much grooming. Daily brushing is all that is needed for their coat to remain in good condition. Bathing should be done only when necessary.
This is a healthy breed, in general, with a life span of 10 to 15 years, but, there are some common health disorders like hip dysplasia, Canine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency and von Willebrands Disease. In CLAD, the immune system can not fight infections. Some young puppies may experience, thus, difficulties in growing. Von Willebrands Disease consists of a coagulation abnormality, the blood failing to clot over a wound, which means, that, if not taken care of properly, a dog with even a small wound can bleed to death.
With proper care, sufficient exercise and firm training, the Irish Red and White Setter will be the ideal dog for an active family.
