The Irish Setter is a red-haired dog that is not only very handsome but also very friendly. It has a long, shiny and silky coat, so it catches the eye of everyone around it - no wonder it is commonly found in shows and beauty contests. But that's not all that the Irish Setter wins admirers: the sweet and gentle way is also a common trait of this little dog.

How about getting to know this breed of dog in more depth? Patas da Casa helps you with that: see the guide we prepared about the Irish Setter, from its origin to physical characteristics, personality and basic care with the routine and health of the dog.

Irish Setter dog x-ray

• Origin : Ireland
• Group : Pointing dogs
• Coat : smooth, long and silky
• Colors : red or reddish brown
• Personality : docile, energetic, playful and independent
• Height : 55 to 67 cm
• Weight : 24 to 32 kg
• Life expectancy : 12 to 15 years

The origin of the Irish Setter breed

As the name implies, the Irish Setter dog was bred in Ireland around the 18th century. Today, the red-headed Irish Setter is the most popular specimen in existence, but at the time what was more common was the red-and-white Irish Setter. Both originated from the crossing of other breeds, such as the English Setter and, to a lesser extent, the Gordon Setter. It is believed that a mixture of red-headed and white Irish Setters was the most common.Spaniels and Pointers were also part of the Irish Setter breeding.

Initially, this was a breed of dogs most used for work. Thus, Setter was used for hunting other animals, mainly because of its keen sense of smell. However, in 1862 a dog was born that did not have all the ideal characteristics to be a hunter and it was from this that the Irish Setter dog began to gain notoriety in the various exhibitions.

The first champion was a dog named Palmerston. From him, other dogs of the breed were created until we get to what we know today. The Irish Setter gained recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884 and in 1914 from the United Kennel Club (UKC).

What type of dog is the English Setter?

The Setter dog is part of the group of "pointing dogs" or "gun dogs". This select group of dogs are great hunters and have a very sharp nose. They were bred to assist in hunting prey - especially birds - by always "pointing out" the exact location where they are.

The Irish Settter dog has striking physical characteristics, such as red hair

The coat of the Irish Setter dog is one of the most striking things about the breed. With long, smooth and silky hair, the puppy is a huge success in competitions and dog shows. But what about the diversity of colors? For those who wonder if it is possible to find a black or white Irish Setter, for example, the answer is no.

The only standard accepted as official for this breed is the red-haired Irish Setter, i.e. with a coat more reddish brown, like a shade of mahogany. Some small white spots scattered around the body can also be accepted - especially if it is a red and white Irish Setter - but black or other colored spots are not. If you are looking for other dog colors, optionsthat can be considered are the English Setter dog or the Gordon Setter.

Considered a medium-sized breed, the Irish Setter has a height that varies between 55 and 67 cm and a weight that is between 24 and 32 kg. It is a dog that has a very athletic body, with a very elongated face and drooping ears.

Irish Setter: dog has a charming personality

• Coexistence:

There's no such thing as a bad time with an Irish Setter by your side. This is a very fun and good-natured breed that will always do anything to brighten up your family's life, especially if there's play and lots of affection involved. It's sweet, gentle and a dog that's not at all aggressive and doesn't like conflict. So even when it comes to getting your Irish Setter dog's attention, it's good to dothis very carefully so as not to hurt his feelings.

It is also good to keep in mind that the Setter breed needs a more intense physical activity routine than other breeds, or it may end up feeling frustrated and taking it out on some furniture and objects in the house. Due to the hunter's past, a simple walk is not enough to meet the needs of the Irish Setter dog These puppies need exercises such as runs of up to 40 meters.minutes, or at least an outdoor space to play and run with other dogs, such as the park.

It is also worth investing in other games that require a little more of the dog's body and mind - interactive toys are an excellent option. As the Irish Setter is a little agitated, it is important that he lives in a house with adequate space so as not to end up destroying anything (even if unintentionally).

• Socialization:

Because it is quite calm, this is a dog that can live well with different types of people and even with other animals. However, for this relationship to be built amicably, the ideal is to bet on the socialization of the Setter from puppy. He is a dog that does not usually strangers who he does not know, but if he grows up used to it the process is even better.

• Training:

As the Irish Setter is quite intelligent, investing in dog training is not a difficult task. You can teach him from basic obedience commands to other tricks, such as pawing, sitting and lying down. Patience at these times is important, because despite intelligence, the dog tends to get distracted very easily and sometimes ends up following his own instincts.positive reinforcement with snacks is a great help!

4 curiosities about the Irish Setter

1) There are two variations of this breed: the red-headed Irish Setter, and the red-and-white Irish Setter.

2) For dog movie fans, one movie in which the Setter breed appears is "The Cunning of a Rebel" (1962).

3) The Irish Setter began to become popular in its country of origin during the 18th century.

4) The Setter is among the most beloved big-eared dogs in the world.

Irish Setter puppy: how to care for and what to expect from the puppy?

The Irish Setter is a dog full of energy from the first months of life, so if you intend to have a puppy of the breed, it is important to know how to direct all this energy to the right places. Walks, toys and other physical activities are essential to take care of the breed. However, it is important that outings only happen after the Irish Setter puppy has been born.He must have all the mandatory puppy vaccinations and be wormed and free of parasites.

Another indispensable care is to adapt the house to receive the puppy. This means buying a bed, drinking fountain, feeder, hygienic mats and basic hygiene items. Basically, assemble a dog trousseau with everything he needs in his new home!

See what are the basic care with the Irish Setter dog routine

• Bath The Irish Setter should be bathed at least once a month or when it is very dirty. For everyday life, a moistened wipe is sufficient, especially on the paws after walks.
• Tosa to keep their hair beautiful, it is important to maintain a regular grooming schedule, which should be done by a professional.
• Brushing brushing: brushing the hair requires more frequency, and should take place at least every two days. This is essential to eliminate possible knots and remove the dead coat of the animal.
• Nails It is important to cut the Irish Setter's nails. As they do not grow so quickly, once a month is the recommended time for this.
• Teeth oral health care is also necessary to avoid problems such as tartar and gingivitis. The frequency of brushing should be between two and three times a week.
• Ears As the Irish Setter has very long ears, the owner should regularly clean them with a suitable product to protect against canine otitis and other infections.

What you need to know about Irish Setter health

This is a breed of dog that is usually quite healthy if it receives all the necessary care. However, some health problems can arise, such as hip dysplasia and gastric torsion in dogs (especially if they eat too fast). In addition, another very common disease in the Irish Setter is progressive retinal atrophy, which greatly impairs the pet's vision. How much?to the hair, it is good to be very careful during the hygiene process, always drying the animal very well to avoid the incidence of dermatitis in dogs.

It is also important to keep check-up appointments up to date and keep an eye on the Irish Setter dog's behavior to identify when there is something wrong. In addition, just do not forget to take care of the dog's vaccination (avoiding delays) and deworming.

How much does an Irish Setter cost?

The price of the Irish Setter puppy varies between R$ 2,000 and R$ 5,000. To buy a specimen of the breed, it is necessary to keep in mind that the value will depend on the sex and lineage of the animal. Dogs that are descendants of champions tend to be more expensive, as well as females. In addition, it is important to have financial planning, as having a dog requires other responsibilities, such as buying a new dog.feed, take to the vet, purchase specific products for the hygiene of the animal, among others.

Before buying an Irish Setter puppy, make sure you also look for a dog kennel with good references and that values the welfare of the pets. If you can, make a few visits to the place beforehand to make sure of this. In order not to have any in the purchase of the Irish Setter, kennel should be chosen very carefully. Another alternative is to adopt a dog with the characteristics thatyou are looking for.