Overview: The Irish Setter is a very action oriented canine that needs a lot of attention and exercise every day. This dog is quite affectionate towards its owner, other dogs, other pets, and strangers. It can make a very good watchdog, however it doesn't do well in the protection department. The Irish Setter needs a lot of grooming because of the amount of hair it usually has, however its coat serves a dual purpose in that it insulates against both cold and heat.

Temperament: This breed is genuinely excited about practically everything in its life. If the exercise needs of this dog aren't met it may have too much energy and may become aggressive towards people or things. The Irish Setter is very social and needs to be around people throughout the day.

History: Believed to be the result of mixing Spaniels with other Setters, the Irish Setter was bred to be a keen hunter that could still be seen from a distance. The first set of full Irish Red Setters, its original name, was bred around the beginning of the 19th century. This breed became very popular in Ireland, more so for the coat than its hunting abilities. During the middle of the 19th century the Red Setter was brought to the United States and proved to be a very affective bird hunting dog just as it did in Ireland. Around this same time one Red Setter named Palmerston was born. But the owner found it was too refined for the hunting field and decided to drown it. Palmerston was saved by a dog fancier who presented him in a dog show where he became a sensation. Palmerston was then bred numerous times to continue his line of breed. Virtually all Irish Setters of today are descended from this one famous dog. This canine was separated from the other Red Setters and was recognized as the Irish Setter from that day on. Regardless of the breed then being trained to be a show dog it still has good hunting skills and can still be used for that today. The breed reached its pinnacle of popularity in the 1970s and has since fallen dramatically in standing.

Names: The Irish Setter can also be known as the Red Setter.

Groups: The AKC formally recognized the Irish Setter in the year 1878 placing it in the Sporting Group.

Physical Characteristics: The average height of the Irish Setter is 25 to 27 inches with a weight of 60 to 70 lb. The coat of this breed is somewhat long and flat with a Mahogany red color and may have some white patches on the chest, throat, toes or in the center of the head. Its lines and coat combine to make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing of all canines.

Care: The Irish Setter needs at least one hour of rigorous exercise daily to use up enough energy. It is best living inside with access to the outside so as not to feel separated or cooped up. The coat needs to be brushed every two to three days and should be trimmed when it has grown too long.

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