Lively companion with a coat of rich mahogany
With its glossy fur of rich reddish-brown, the Irish setter is an eye-catching breed, full of energy, sociable and loyal, and with a somewhat mischievous streak
WATER DRIPS FROM leaves, and the smell of wet bracken hangs in the air as an Irish setter bounds across a sodden field; its coat a mahogany glow under the leaden November skies. Its stride is long and effortless as it chases down a rubber ball on an early morning walk. Splashing undeterred through pools of cold, muddy water, its eyes sparkle with delight as it returns to its owner; a brief tug of war ensuing before it gives up its prize. On command, it sits motionless, waiting for another throw; eyes alert; mouth open in a wide ‘smile’. Although its coat is slick with rain, the long red hair sticking to its skin, it wants to play more; galloping after another throw, with ears flailing and tail outstretched.
It is its deep auburn coat that makes the Irish setter, often called the Red setter, instantly recognisable. It was once known as the Red spaniel, and although the early development of the breed is lost to time, many believe the dogs are indeed descended from spaniels; themselves once longer-legged animals used for hawking. According to Richard Surflet’s The Countrie Farme, published in 1600: “There is also another sort of Land spannyels which are called Setters,” marking recognition of the setter as a distinct type of dog. Heads held high, catching scent in the air rather than on the ground, these dogs would crouch low and freeze, or set, on identifying game, which was then seized by a stooping hawk. They were also used in netting, when the hunter would throw a net over the setting dog and its surroundings to trap birds or rabbits beneath.
“Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends”
Alexander Pope
With the change in fashion from hawking to shooting game birds during the 18th century, setters came into their own. As their popularity soared, distinct breeds, including the English setter and Gordon setter, became established. In Ireland, the handsome Red and White setter, with chestnut patches on a white coat, had emerged by the end of the 1800s. There was also a dog known as the Hail setter, which had white flecks in a red coat; thought to be prevalent in the west of Ireland. Irish setter puppies with these markings, known as ‘shower of hail’, occasionally still appear.
Those setters with more mahogany in their coats became early favourites, with advocates, including the Earl of Enniskillen, breeding from predominantly red animals. The result was the Irish setter, with its rich auburn coat, known in Gaelic as ‘Modder Rhu’; the red dog. They became steadfast sporting companions, sweeping across the boggy pools and heather of the moors in search of pheasant, grouse and quail.
“The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too”
Showstopper
Life in a hunting party relied on forging close bonds with handlers and other dogs, and today’s Irish setters are sociable,
Samuel Butler
good-natured characters that have easily made the transition from heathland to hearth. “These are very loyal dogs and make a very good family pet,” says Liz Rose-Hay, who has bred Irish setters from her Cheshire home for almost 50 years, as well as travelling the world as a show judge. “They are intelligent and very loving, and good with children. My first-ever dog was a cross-breed that became dangerous even though I took him to training. The lady doing the training
suggested an Irish setter to me, and she was so right. They have been my love ever since. I have nine Irish at the moment, many of them OAPs, but I just love them, and they stay until the dreadful day comes.”
As well as its easy-going but spirited personality, this is a handsome breed; its glossy chestnut coat and heart-melting, deep brown eyes an irresistible combination. They are large dogs, with males reaching 25-28in (64-71cm) at the shoulder and females a little less, with a healthy weight of 55-71lb (25-32kg). However, their overall appearance is one of lean elegance rather than bulk.
They have a long, narrow head, with an obvious ‘stepped’ forehead and floppy, fringed ears set low and hanging close to the face. The chest and shoulders are deep, and the back gently sloping; the pointed tail, with its curtain of longer hair, carried level with or slightly below it. The legs are strong and muscular, and the feet small and firm, with arched toes that sit closely together.
Many of these traits can be traced back to a dog called Palmerston, born in Ireland in the early 1860s. He was more delicately boned, with a longer head than most of his contemporaries, and was regarded as a poor bet for hunting. Instead, he began to appear in the show ring, where he became a phenomenon. Treated as a canine celebrity, he was a popular choice at stud, and he appears in the family tree of almost every modern Irish setter. Such was his renown that, after his death, his head was mounted and displayed at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York before being donated to the Irish Setter Club of America.
Stepping out
With its hunting background, it is no surprise that the Irish setter needs a lot of exercise: it is not a house dog for someone who has little time for walking. This is a breed that requires at least two hours of exercise each day.
Happy to wallow in mud or water, many Irish setters will need a thorough clean after almost every walk, but they should be groomed at least twice a week regardless to ensure their coat stays in peak condition and any loose hair is removed. Special attention should be paid to the dog’s
‘feathers’, the wavy fringe on chest, legs, ears and tail, as well as the longer hair between the toes, as this can become knotty and matted. Irish setters are double-coated dogs, with longer, finer hair over a thicker under layer, which grows in winter and is shed the following spring.
Grooming is also the ideal time to check eyes, ears, teeth and skin for any problems. A regular grooming routine should be established from approximately eight weeks of age, so the dog becomes used to being handled and to brushes and combs. Claws will be kept down by regular exercise, but should be trimmed as required by a professional if the owner is not confident about doing this safely at home.
Good health
Like all dogs, Irish setters are genetically predisposed to some diseases, though this does not mean that they will necessarily get them. These include neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, tremors and problems with balance. They can also inherit the incurable eye disease PRA, which leads to blindness, as well as dysplasia, where hip joints do not form correctly, resulting in painful arthritis. With its deep chest and narrow waist, the Irish setter is also more susceptible to bloat, where the stomach fills with gas and may then twist on itself, requiring emergency surgery.
“It’s a good idea to try to buy from a breeder who has their dogs’ hips scored, and has done eye testing,” says Liz. “Ideally, ensure both parents are registered with the Kennel Club or buy a puppy from a KC Accredited Breeder, as these dogs will have been tested for these problems. As for bloat, no dog should run after he has been fed, and preventing them from having a lot of water for at least an hour after eating should keep them safe.” But day-to-day living is uncomplicated. “They are easy to feed, with just good quality dog food, although they should not be given milk, just lactose-free milk if you want a change from water,” says Liz.
Fun-loving dogs
Irish setters can be prone to chewing, especially as puppies, if they are allowed to become bored. Exuberant and sometimes boisterous, they also enjoy a prank. “They are inquisitive and can do things such as open doors and cupboards at will,” says Liz. “But they respond well to instruction and can be taught not to. Training classes suit them, and it’s advisable to find one, as this helps them with socialising as well.” Irish setters still have a strong prey drive, although they can be trained to live happily with smaller pets, such as cats.
With its definite mischievous streak, life with an Irish setter is full of fun. “I have had a lad called William, who I called ‘wine o’clock’, as he loved to take a little white wine from my finger. He would nudge my arm at approximately 5 o’clock each evening, just to let me know it was wine time, and his son George does this now as well.
“Setters have a real bond with their owners, and I would never sell a puppy to someone who is out at work all day, as they need lots of company. But it is a real joy to share your life with them. Setters are just so loving and I think they are a very beautiful breed.”
At work
Although the majority of Irish setters are happy household pets, many still enjoy showing their flair and skill in the traditional gun dog role.
Working setters are often smaller and sleeker than dogs descended from the ‘show’ line, and are tireless performers in the field; brimming with verve and energy. “It’s what they were bred for, and they light up the moor as they run across
“A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one?”
Arthur Conan Doyle, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
it,” says Steve Robinson, who has worked Irish setters for more than 30 years.
“You see them moving, and it takes your breath away.” With his dog FTCH Lusca Max, Steve was the first Englishman to win the feted Irish championship and has bred and trained 11 field trial champions. He first saw the breed as a child and felt an immediate pull. “I was brought up in the east end of Newcastle, in a bit of a rough area near the shipyards,” he says. “But the lady in one of the bigger houses had a Red setter. It stood out like a jewel. When I eventually got my own place, I bought two as pets before getting into training and fieldwork.”
At one point, Steve owned 10 Irish setters, but today has four. They often carry out grouse counting at estates in Northumberland; methodically searching the moors in a process known as quartering. “It’s done in spring, when the grouse have paired up and marked their territories,” he explains. “Our dogs work 10 x 1km-square plots. When it finds a bird, a dog will set, and the number of birds are then counted to find the number of nesting pairs on each plot. The same ground is covered again in July to see how many chicks there are with each pair. The estate can then decide how many days’ shooting it’s safe to let for that season.”
Field trials take place outside the shooting season. Usually, two dogs are drawn together, quartering the ground to find game; excitement and determination apparent in their every move as they follow the commands of the handler. They are judged on pace and style rather than pure speed. When game is found, the dog ‘sets’, taking a low stance or crouch, with its body almost touching the ground. “It must hold that position until the judge asks the handler to produce the birds,” says Steve. “It must then drop and stay still every time a bird is produced until the ground is cleared, and the judge is happy. Under Kennel Club rules, no birds are shot, but a gun is fired to prove the dog is steady to shot and not ‘gun-shy’.”
Steve is full of admiration for the dogs’ work ethic. “They have incredible energy and stamina; they can just run and run for miles. I have so much respect for what they’re capable of. And they’re so keen to do as you ask, very biddable, although that is also down to the amount of time you spend with them, and the work you put in with them.”
Apart from a little extra protein in their diet during counting season or when competing, working dogs do not require much in the way of additional care, although Steve gives extra checks to ensure the dogs have not picked up ticks on the moors. Outside of competition, he still walks his setters up to 3 miles most days, but is sure to also give them downtime at the weekends.
“These dogs have such a passion for life: there’s always a twinkle in the eye,” he says. “They’re real people dogs and would far rather be with you than sitting in a kennel away from you. I have never had an aggressive setter. They are good with each other and with other dogs; you can swap them round in the kennels with no problems. Just seeing them cheers you up: they really bring something to your life. I wouldn’t have any other kind of dog.”