Irish Red and White Setter
Gundogs

Group:

Gundog

Size:

large

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Exercise:

very high

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

very low

Area of Origin:

Ireland

Date of Origin:

1600’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

bird setting and retrieving

History

The Irish Red and White Setter was developed in Ireland during the 1600's to retrieve game. Originally called the Particolor Setter, this hardy breed derives from the same rootstock as the graceful Irish Setter, probably the Land Spaniel. By the end of the eighteenth century, the breed almost became extinct because the all-red Irish Setter took over in popularity.

Temperament

The Irish Red and White Setter makes an affectionate family pet, but requires a great deal of exercise and rigorous training; it is active and affectionate.

Upkeep

The Irish Red and White Setter needs exercise, and lots of it. A minimum of one hour of hard strenuous games and exertion a day is recommended. Because of its energy, it is not suited as an apartment dog. It can live outside in temperate or warm weather, but it needs warm shelter and needs to come inside in colder weather. It is such a sociable dog that it does best living with its family. The coat needs regular brushing and combing every two to three days, plus some clipping and trimming to look its best

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Strong and powerful, without lumber – athletic rather than racy.

CHARACTERISTICS:
Biddable, highly intelligent, good worker.

Temperament:
Happy, good natured and affectionate.

Head and Skull:
Head broad in proportion to body, with good stop. Skull domed without occipital protuberance as in Irish Red Setters, fairly square, clean muzzle.

Eyes:
Hazel or dark brown, round, slight prominence and without haw.

Ears:
Set level with eyes and well back, lying close to head.

Mouth:
Jaws strong with a perfect regular scissor bite, ie Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:
Moderately long, very muscular, but not too thick, slightly arched free from throatiness.

Forequarters:
Shoulders well laid back. Elbows free, turning neither in nor out. Strong, oval bone well muscled, sinewy, pasterns slightly sloping.

Body:
Strong and muscular, deep chest and well sprung ribs. Back and quarters very muscular and powerful. bone strong, well built up with muscle and sinew.

Hindquarters:
Wide and powerful. Legs from hip to hock long and muscular from hock to heel short and strong. Stifle well bent, hocks well let down turning neither in nor out.

Feet:
Close-knit, well feathered between toes.

Tail:
Strong at root, tapering to fine point, with no appearance of ropiness, not reaching below hock. Well feathered, carried level with back or below in lively manner.

Gait/Movement:
Long free striding, effortless with drive.

Coat:
Finely textured with good feathering. Slight wave permissible but never curly.

Colour:
Clearly parti-coloured, ie base colour white, solid red patches. Mottling or flecking but not roaning permitted around face and feet and up foreleg to elbow and up hindleg to hock.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.