The Irish Setters have an average availability and demand in India. They are mostly available at a reputable breeders’ place and are priced very high. In India, these dogs can go as high as 1-2 Lakhs and that’s the reason for their subpar demand. Mostly, the upper and affluent section of the society opts for these expensive pooches. They also need to be given a bit extra care and protection during the summer season of the country as their tolerance to high temperatures is average at best. These dogs are comfortable in a colder environment and can survive in very low temperatures, but that type of weather is not seen in a hot country like India.
The Irish Setters are easily recognized by their long and glossy coat which is mostly rich red or mahogany in color. These dogs have a very refined and sophisticated look which is one of the many features of this breed that is loved by thousands of dog admirers. The official standards for the Irish Setters are given below:
The average weight and height of an Irish Setter is around 25-34 kg and 24-28 inches (at the shoulders), respectively. There is barely a visible difference between the body dimensions of a male and a female Irish Setter.
|
GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
29-34 kg |
26-28 inch |
|
FEMALE |
25-29 kg |
24-26 inch |
They have a glossy, straight and silky coat which is quite long on the back of the forelegs and thighs, ears, belly, and chest. The coat is on the shorter side on the head and in front of the forelegs.
They possess a well-built body with a moderately long neck which is slightly arched and fairly strong. The chest is capacious and the back is long and lean. The tail is firmly rooted and finely tapered and curves slightly in the upward direction. The forelegs and hind legs are long, wide and powerful.
Their head is decently long and is fairly chiseled along the muzzle. The eyes are medium in size, almond-shaped and are set well apart from each other. And, the ears are quite thin, set well back on the head and are long enough to reach the nose.
They have finely developed jaw region with the teeth firmly placed inside their mouth that meets in scissors bite when closed.
This is a breed that likes to meet new people and make new friends. They are highly affectionate and friendly with almost everybody. They love the company of their family members, are gentle and kind to the small kids, gel well with other canines and are also very warm to the people who visit their house. And, apart from being an affable doggy, the Irish Setter is also known for its playful and lively personality. They are very fond of playing numerous games with their loved ones and are always excited to go on long walks with their owners. They are a treat to train as well because they are extremely responsive and agreeable while getting trained. Some general temperamental traits of an Irish Setter are listed below:
The Irish Setters are one of the most beautiful and graceful dogs present today in the world. These dogs easily catch the eye of any dog lover because of their silky and shiny coat and their vivacious personality.
The owners of this breed call it a bundle of joy and exuberance and we believe them one hundred percent. These sweet and fun-loving pooches know how to uplift someone’s mood and are always ready to spread positivity and happiness.
But, just like every other breed, the Irish Setters are also not entirely perfect. These dogs are not meant to be left alone. They want human contact and attention almost all the time and do not respond positively when they are left alone for longer periods of time. They can become frustrated and that could lead to destructive behavior. Also, these dogs do require a lot of exercises to be fit and happy and if they are not receiving the required amount, then they can become dull and sad.
Therefore, whoever is looking to raise this stylish and elegant dog should be well aware of all its traits and characteristics and only then should make a well-informed decision.
The Irish Setters are divided into two types which are based on the different motivations for their breeding. These types are:
Now, coming to the colors of their coat, these dogs are mostly found in various shades of red which are as follows:
|
Adaptability |
*** |
Sensitivity Level |
**** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
***** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
* |
Drooling Potential |
** |
|
Barking Tendencies |
*** |
Energy Level |
***** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
***** |
Health Issues |
*** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
***** |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
***** |
Playfulness |
***** |
|
Exercise Needs |
***** |
Shedding Level |
*** |
|
Grooming Needs |
**** |
Social Needs |
***** |
|
Good for novice owners |
*** |
Stranger Friendly |
***** |
|
Trainability |
**** |
Watchdog Ability |
** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
** |
Tolerates Cold |
**** |
The Irish Setters are active and energetic dogs that do very well on a good-quality diet which is rich nutrients. These dogs should be fed smaller quantities of feeding material multiple times a day as it is seen as the best and most effective method to feed these dogs.
These dogs are categorized under the sporting group and like most breeds that are a part of this group, the Irish Setters also require a lot of exercises to remain healthy and fit. They appreciate long walks and running sessions with their owners in a park or an open area. They are also happy to play various games with their loved ones and that can be done both inside or outside the house.
Reward-based training methods are the best way to train the Irish Setters. They appreciate both treats and vocal praise as rewards and are always very responsive and positive towards learning new things from their owners. They like to please whoever is training them by learning as quickly as possible and their decent intelligence helps them in that aspect. But, there is a possibility of them getting a bit bored if the training method is repetitive and monotonous, therefore the owner should use some interesting and fun methods to train these dogs.
This breed is not that hard to groom as they require a reasonably fair amount of brushing and cleaning if we take their long and glossy coat into the account. They need to be brushed with a soft-bristled brush at least 2-3 times a week to remove any tangles. Bathing and trimming of nails can be done once per month. Also, these dogs are infrequent shedders and only sheds in limited amounts and during that period, they need to be brushed on a daily basis.
The Irish Setters are usually quite healthy dogs and they remain that way for most of their lifetime. But, still, they are prone to some health issues, like any other breed. Common problems found in them are:
Being a relatively healthy breed, these dogs are not required to be taken to a vet’s clinic on a frequent basis, like many other sporting breeds.
The Irish Setter received the first half of its name from the place where it originated, Ireland and it got the second half because of its rigid stance while scenting a game during the hunting process. These dogs are also called the Red Setters because of the eye-catching rich red color of their coat.
These dogs were bred by the hunters to aid them in hunting small games. They are considered to be the result of breeding between various breeds like the Pointers, the Spaniels, the Irish Terriers and some other Setters. Apart from hunting, these dogs also went on to perform various other tasks like retrieving, tracking, pointing et cetera.
The Irish Setters first moved to the United States in the year 1875 and this was the time they were slowly started to get imported to various other countries. They became a star wherever they went because of their looks and their abilities and gradually with time, their popularity soared. And, only after three years of their presence in the U.S., they were registered by the AKC as a distinct breed.
