Irish Red and White Setter

Overview of Irish Red and White Setters

The Irish Red and White Setter is a breed of dog, more specifically a setter. It is virtually identical in use and temperament to its cousin, the Irish Setter, but is more often found as a working gundog.

Description

Appearance

The coat is long and silky, mostly white, with deep red patches. The dogs range in height from 22 1/2 to 24 for females and 24 to 26 inches for males, and weigh 50 to 70 pounds (27-32 kg).

Temperament

The Irish Red and White Setter is a pointing bird dog which originated in the eighteenth century in Ireland where they were particularly associated with the Rossmore family. They can take longer to train than other gundogs, but once trained they are a loyal and reliable companion. They need firm, decisive but not harsh training. They can be the most devoted and affectionate of dogs, and are extremely intelligent. Irish Red and White Setters thrive best in active families, where they have outlets for their high energy, and require space to run freely.

History

Originally all Irish Setters were mostly red, or red and white, but from around 1880 breeders began to prefer the solid red variety. Consequently, the breed came close to extinction. Thanks to the efforts of an early 20th-century Irish clergyman, Noble Huston, the breed survived but only in small numbers in Ireland. From around 1970 there was a planned revival of the breed, and the numbers began to increase slowly. In 1980 the first IRWS were imported into the UK, where the breed was developed more as a show dog. In Ireland the breed has continued to be primarily a working and field trial dog

Miscellaneous

Breed Status in the United States: From 1 January 2009, the Irish Red and White Setter is fully recognised by the AKC and is eligible to compete in conformation and all other competitive fields. The breed is recognised by most other national Kennel Clubs. All registered Irish Red and White Setters are the descendants of the dogs accepted by the Irish Kennel Club at the time of the revival of the breed in the 1970s.

See also

• Irish Setter
• Red Setter
• Hunting Dog
• Pointing breed

External links

• The Irish Red and White Setter Club of Ireland
• Irish Red and White Setter Club of Great Britain
• Irish Red and White Setter Association AKC/FSS Parent Club; can also assist with questions of pedigree
• Irish Kennel Club breed standard
• Irish Red & White Setter Pedigree Collection

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