Irish Setter
The high-spirited Irish Setter has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Origin
The Irish Setter emerged in Ireland in the early 1700s. The exact ancestry of the breed is unknown, but the Irish Setter is believed to have descended from some mix of the Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, English Setter, Springer Spaniel and/or Pointer.
The Irish Setter was originally bred to locate and retrieve birds. By the 1800s, the skilled Irish Setter could be seen throughout the British Isles. The first Irish Setters were red and white, and somewhere around the 19th century, they emerged as solid red, possibly because of selective breeding.
Size
The Irish Setter weighs 60 to 70 pounds and measures 25 to 27 inches.
Grooming Needs
The Irish Setter has a long, silky coat that requires brushing every other day. The Irish Setter is naturally clean and only needs to be bathed a few times a year. Like all dogs, the Irish Setter also needs basic grooming. Brush their teeth, clean their ears and trim their nails on a regular basis.
Character
The Irish Setter gives off a look of elegance, but is a clown at heart.
Temperament
The Irish Setter is outgoing and fun loving. The Irish Setter takes longer than other breeds to grow out of the puppy phase, both physically and mentally. They live to play and have a mischievous streak.
The Irish Setter is a true people dog. The Irish Setter grows very attached to their family and wants to be with them at all times. They have an affectionate demeanor and get along well with children, other dogs and other pets. Although Irish Setters will bark when the doorbell rings, they are too friendly and welcoming to be good guard dogs.
Training Needs
The Irish Setter is eager to please and intelligent, but also stubborn and independent. The Irish Setter responds best to kind, but assertive training. Once properly trained in the basics, the Irish Setter can go on to participate in agility training.
Activity Level
The Irish Setter has lots of energy and needs one hour of activity every day. The Irish Setter retains a puppy mentality even into adulthood and can be very rowdy and rambunctious. They should have a long daily walk along with time to run and roam in an open space.
