The Irish Red and White Setter is a sporting dog with great determination, a high spirit and courage. They are a separate and distinct breed from the Irish Setter.

Physical Characteristics

• Strong, powerful build; agile, athletic gun dog 
• Color: Clear white body with rich red islands.  Ideally 60% of the body is white and 40% covered with red islands / patches with red covering the ears and eyes
• Coat: On the head, front of legs and other parts of the body the hair is short, flat and free from curl but sometimes has a slight wave. "Feathering" is present on the back of the legs, chest, tail and on the outer ear flap.
• Eyes: Round in shape; dark hazel or dark brown
• Height: Dogs are 24.5 - 26 inches tall; females are 22.5 - 24 inches tall.
• Average lifespan: 12 to 14 years

Temperament

• Kind, friendly attitude and high spirit
• Interaction with people: Good family dog
• Interaction with animals: Good with other dogs
• Level of attention needed: Needs human companionship and affection; shouldn't be isolated for long periods of time
• Training: Easily trained but has a determined mindset; born to hunt

At Home

• Needs regular exercise daily
• OK for apartments if sufficiently exercised daily
• Ideally has a fenced yard with room to run

Grooming

• Average shedder
• Needs to be brushed regularly and excessive hair on feet and under ears needs to be trimmed occasionally

Brief History

• The Irish Setter probably came into its own at the end of the 17th century.
• Rev. Noble Huston had recorded pedigrees from purebred Irish Red and White Setters as far back as 1790.
• Mrs. Maureen Cuddy from Midleton, Co. Cork, preserved Huston’s pedigrees and hard worked until the breed in having the breed separately classified in 1978 and given championship status by the Irish Kennel Club.
• In the 1960's a few dogs were imported to the United States and again in the 1980's, resulting in a gradual increase in the IRWS population.

Fido's Facts

• The Irish Red and White Setter is a separate a distinct breed to the Irish Setter and is the older breed of the two.
• In Ireland the Irish Red and White Setter was on a postage stamp during the early 1900s with an Irish Setter.
• Paintings from the 17th century reflect dogs very similar to the documented pedigrees of Irish Red and White Setters of the 18th century.