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Irish Setter
(Red Setter)
This elegant Irish breed is
considered by many to be one of the world's most beautiful
dogs, but the Irish Setter doesn't rest on beauty alone for
its popularity - it is lively and active and has a sense of
fun to match! Irish Setters have captured hearts all over the
world; one famous fancier was former US President Harry S.
Truman, who owned an "Irish" called Mike
History:
The Irish Setter was developed
in Ireland during the eighteenth century to hunt upland game,
and was a clearly established breed by 1800. The Irish, or Red
Setter as it is commonly known, is descended from a breed
known as the Setting Spaniel and was refined and developed by
the breeders of the day by crosses with Pointers, English
Setters, Gordon Setters, and other Spaniel types. Indeed, the
early name for the breed was Red Spaniel or Modder Rhu (red
dog).
There is some suggestion that
other breeds such as the Irish Water Spaniel, the Bloodhound
and the Irish Terrier were also crossed to create the Red
Setter, but as with so many of the sporting breeds developed
in the eighteenth century, there is no documentation to prove
this theory. Until the early- to mid-nineteenth century, Irish
Setters were not only red, but also came in red and white;
however, the red and white dogs are now considered a separate
breed, the Irish Red and White Setter.
Physical
characteristics:
Height: 25 - 28 in (63.5 - 71
cm). Weight: 60 - 70 lb (27 - 32 kg). The Irish Setter is a
refined breed with no outstanding physical peculiarities
except for the deep chestnut-red coat; no other breed has a
coat quite the same stunning color. The coat is medium-long
and short on the back with feathering on the ears, stomach,
tail, and back of the legs. The head on an Irish Setter is
long and narrow, but deep and rather square, not weedy. The
ears are set on low and are moderately long. The eyes are
hazel or dark brown, and almond-shaped. Irish Setters have
deep, narrow chests, a straight back, and their tail is set on
low and carried level with the back.
Behavior:
The Irish Setter was
originally a wonderful working dog. Over the generations, it
has been selectively bred for its magnificent physical
characteristics. Unfortunately, this selective breeding seems
to have been at the expense of the dog's temperament. Irish
Setters are wonderfully gentle dogs, but they can be very
skittish and their playfulness is very exaggerated. To train
an Irish Setter you need a lot of patience, as they can have
difficulty in completing a task without being sidetracked. If
owners adopt a very sensitive approach and can retain a
bottomless sense of humor, the Irish Setter can make a
wonderful companion animal. They do require a lot of exercise
and attention.
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