Irish Red and White Setter: A Dog for Outdoors
The Irish Red and White Setter has landed a lot of press coverage lately. This innate hunter and explorer was recently accepted as a sporting group breed by the American Kennel Club, introduced as a new Westminster Kennel Club sporting breed, and received three honors during Westminster’s 2010 dog show: Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, and Award of Merit.
So why all the sudden fuss about Irish Red and White Setters? Where did the breed come from and what makes it worthy of such acclaim? And, perhaps most importantly, would an Irish Red and White Setter be a good addition to your family?
Breed origins of the Irish Red and White Setter
As its name implies, the Irish Red and White Setter hails from Ireland, but it isn’t simply an Irish Setter of a different color. The Red and White is a completely separate breed. Pedigree records for the Red and White date back to 1790, but an exact year of origin isn’t known.
Until the mid- to later-half of the last century, it looked like the Irish Red and White might be headed for extinction. The solid-red Irish Setter had outpaced the spotted dog in popularity. However, some dedicated dog lovers worked to preserve the Red and White. In 1978, its popularity was reestablished and it was recognized as a separate breed by the Irish Kennel Club.
Since the late ’70s, the dog has made its way from Europe to North America. Approximately 1,000 Irish Red and White Setters call the United States and Canada home.
Red and White Setter physical characteristics
Not surprisingly, Irish Red and White Setters have a white coat with deep red spots that vary in shape and size. The hairs are soft, long, and fairly straight. Their eyes are dark hazel or brown.
The dogs’ muscular build, straight stature and alert countenance illustrates why Red and Whites were originally bred for an outdoor life of hunting and field work. The males measure 24.5 to 26 inches tall. Full-grown females stand 22.5 to 24 inches. Adult weight can range from 50 to 75 pounds.
Family-dog temperament
Irish Red and White Setters are friendly, kind, energetic, and courageous. They’re not only gentle with small children, but they also get along with other animals. They respond well to obedience training and consistent direction that is given in a firm, authoritative voice. These characteristics can make the breed a great choice for a family pet.
Red and White Setters need lots of exercise every day. Before you bring a pup home, make sure you have a big, fenced-in yard or open field where the dog can safely run and sniff around. If he doesn’t get enough outdoor time, his pent-up energy can devolve into nervous, destructive behavior.
Health of your Setter pet
Irish Red and White Setters typically live 11 to 15 years. The breed suffers few health problems, but one of the more common is a cataract that forms in the back of the eye, called posterior polar cataract. Rare in the breed are hip problems and Von Willebrand’s Disease, a disorder that prevents blood from clotting.
Adoption of your purebred dog pick
If you’re serious about adopting an Irish Red and White Setter, make sure you’re getting the purebred dog you want. Contact the American Kennel Club for a list of reputable breeders in your area. Any good breeder should supply you with
Certified, three-generation pedigree from the American Kennel Club
American Kennel Club registration certificate for the puppy being adopted
Breeder’s three-generation pedigree
Results of all health tests for sire and dam (dad and mom, respectively)
Dogs Glossary
A-B-C assessment
Checking a dog’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
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animal shelter
1. An animal control agency run by local government to protect people from animals, take in strays, and manage animal issues and problems within the community. 2. A privately run shelter managed by individuals who want to protect, advocate for, and find homes for animals.
Dogs Glossary
BARF diet
A method of feeding dogs as closely as possible what they would eat in the wild: raw flesh and bones, along with vegetable matter from the stomachs of their prey. The acronym stands for either Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
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blow out
A twice-yearly shedding of a dog’s undercoat.
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blue slip
An application to register a purebred puppy.
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breeder
A person who raises, sells, and often shows dogs of a specific breed. Reputable breeders screen parent dogs in an effort to produce healthy dogs that conform to breed standards.
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castrate
The removal of a male dog’s testicles to render him infertile.
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clicker
A small hand-held device that makes a sharp cracking sound when pressed. Paired with a food reward, an effective dog-training tool.
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cohesive bandage
A stretchy wrap that clings to itself used to cover and secure gauze bandages without tape.
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come into season
The advent of a female dog’s term of fertility.
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dead ring
The stationary ring on a training collar that pulls on the collar, not the dog’s neck.
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double coat
Two layers of fur — a top coat of stiff guard hairs and an undercoat that serves as insulation.
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dropped ears
The term for hanging or drooping dog ears.
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Elizabethan collar
A wide, cone-shaped plastic or cardboard collar that prevents a dog from being able to scratch her head. Used to prevent further injury or hasten healing.
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euthanize; put to sleep
To kill an animal to relieve suffering.
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fall
Hair that extends over a dog’s eyes.
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feathering
Long hair that runs from armpit to paw on the backs of a dog’s legs.
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free-feeding
Keeping a constant supply of dog food available so that the dog can decide when and how much to eat. It works best in single-dog households where there’s no competition for food.
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heartworms
Parasites that live in dogs’ hearts and cause heart failure. They’re transferred through mosquito bites.
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heat
The period when a female dog is fertile.
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heel
A command and position in which a dog walks at your left side staying with you as you change direction or pace.
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hip dysplasia
A painful malformation of a dog’s hip socket. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition.
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hot spot
A localized area of skin infection. It’s usually round, red, and warm to the touch.
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live ring
The floating ring of a training collar. Attach a leash to this ring for training purposes.
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neuter
A general term to describe either spaying or castrating a dog to render it infertile. Neutering and castrating are often used interchangeably.
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pantaloons
The tufts of hair on the backs of a long-haired dogs legs that make him look like he’s wearing bloomers.
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pedigree
A diagram of a dog’s ancestors for three or more generations that lists the registered names of the dogs and the titles they earned.
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pinch collar
A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.
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praise
A verbal reward for a dog , such as an enthusiastic “good dog!”
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prong collar
A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.
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pulse
Normal dog pulse is between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The pulse of a puppy ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute.
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puppy mill
A place that supplies puppies to pet stores, usually without screening for possible genetic defects or properly socializing the puppies.
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registration certificate
The paper certifying a dog’s registration with an accredited organization.
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registration slip
An application to register a purebred puppy.
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release word
A word that lets a dog know that she is free to move.
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rescue group
A network of animal lovers who rescue and find new homes for their favorite breeds or animals.
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reward
To give a dog a treat for a correct response while he’s still in the desired position.
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ruff
The long, thick fur around a dog’s chest, shoulders, and neck.
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separation anxiety
A condition in which your dog becomes anxious and stressed when you leave him.
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shed
A twice-yearly process of casting off the undercoat in a double-coated dog.
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single coat
A single layer of hairs that comprises a dog’s fur.
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spay
To remove of both the uterus and the ovaries of a dog to render her infertile.
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stripping
Plucking the dead hairs from a dog’s coat.
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titer tests
Tests that check a dog’s immunity levels to determine exactly which vaccinations are needed.
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top coat
The top layer of a double-coated dog composed of stiff guard hairs that tend to be naturally water-repellant. The top coat protects the dog’s skin and undercoat.
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training collar
A collar that enables you to guide your dog and to check her as necessary — a brief, sharp tug tightens the collar around the dog’s neck.
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treat cup
A plastic container filled with small treats or dog food. Shake it and give treats from it as a reward as you train a dog.
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undercoat
Fleecy or downy fur shorter than the top layer of a double-coated dog. The undercoat serves as insulation.
