General Appearance
The Irish Setter is an active, aristocratic bird dog, rich red in color, substantial yet elegant in build. Standing over two feet tall at the shoulder, the dog has a straight, fine, glossy coat, longer on ears, chest, tail and back of legs. Afield, the Irish Setter is a swift-moving hunter; at home, a sweet natured, trainable companion.
Owning
The Irish Setter's coat requires weekly attention to avoid mats. The Irish Setter likes lots of exercise and requires long walks. The Irish Setter is not an early developer and they frequently require more training than some other breeds.
Temperament
The Irish Setter has a rollicking personality. Shyness, hostility or timidity are uncharacteristic of the breed. An outgoing, stable temperament is the essence of the Irish Setter.
Did You Know
The solid red Irish Setter first appeared in Ireland in the 19th century. The earliest ancestors of the Irish Setter were not solid red, in fact, they were red and white. The Irish Setter first became popular in the 18th century.