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Irish Setter (Red Setter)
Large Breed
The beautiful, elegant Irish Setter is a loveable and excitable breed of dog whose hunting pedigree is undeniable. As a family pet, the love and warmth that are associated with the breed are well-deserved.
Breed standards
Country of origin
Ireland
Weight
Males 32kg / 70lbs;
Females 27kg / 60lbs (standards may vary)
Height
Males 58-67cm / 23-26.5 Inches; Females 55-62cm / 21.5-24.5 Inches (standards may vary)
Coat
Hair length ranges from short and fine on the head, front of legs and tips of the ears, to medium length on the body and legs, and to long and fine on the belly, upper parts of the ears and back of the forelegs, hind legs and tail.
Markings
Rich chestnut with no trace of black. Some white markings on the chest, throat and nose.
Lifespan
Above average, 12-15 years
As it has no guarding instincts; it is very friendly and gets along with all people and animals alike. A relatively headstrong breed, these dogs are easy to train to get out of those habits.
Temperament
Loyalty, friendliness and intelligence are all attribute that you can expect to find in the Irish Setter. The lust for life that the Irish Setter possesses is obvious in its playful nature. As a breed that occasionally likes to do things their own way, this can be reduced with good training, producing an obedient dog without losing any of the breed's fantastic personality.
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PoorChildrenGood
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VeryCombativenessNot very
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VeryDominanceNot very
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Not veryFriendlinessGood
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Not veryIndependenceVery
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LoudNoiseQuiet
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Not veryTrainabilityVery
Good to know
The Irish Setter has a glamorous coat and is an energetic breed that loves to play and run in the fields; it is suited to country life much more than city life.
- Makes a wonderful family pet and is very good with children
- Good for novice owners
- Adapts to most climates
- Regular grooming is needed along with skilled trimming and stripping
- Not suited to apartment living, is very active indoors
- Requires sufficient, daily physical activity
- Requires a large yard to run around in
- Can be prone to bloating, hip dysplasia and eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)