Irish Setter Pups Facts and Health Problems Information
Of all the setter breeds, the Irish setter is definitely the most popular. Like all setters, the Irish Setter is very elegant and beautiful. They were originally from Ireland (hence the name) and were primarily developed to work with hunters to go after game birds. Appearance
Several different breeds make up the Irish Setter. These breeds include the Irish Water Spaniel, the English and Gordon Setters and the Spanish Pointers. These dogs were all carefully interbred to produce the best qualities of each, which made the regal look and demeanor of the Irish Setter. A member of the Sporting Dog Group, this dog was first registered with the AKC in 1878. They are also known as the Red Setter because they have a legendary famous coat that is a deep chestnut or mahogany reddish color. Over the years, many owners have raised Irish Setters less for their hunting abilities and more for their beautiful look. So much emphasis was put on breeding the animal for its looks that the breed has nearly lost its hunting instincts. Still, there are some purists out there that are working to restore the hunting instincts back to the animal. The Irish Setter is a large dog at 65 to 75 pounds. They stand at 26 – 28 inches tall, although the females are typically slightly smaller. The coat of this dog is long and straight. Characteristics
Irish Setters do not do well in apartments since they need more room to roam around. A fenced-in yard is a great way to keep this dog happy and even then, this dog has been known to break out of a yard and run. If you do not give an Irish Setter enough exercise, you will be tormented by a rambunctious and bored dog who is prone to get into plenty of trouble. If you like to run, however, this dog will be happily by your side the whole time. Irish Setters are known for being extremely affectionate. They love people and need constant interaction with people. In fact, they hate being left alone, even though many owners dump them into a fenced in yard and don’t think much more about them. To show their unhappiness, they will typically bark constantly and destroy whatever they can. If you work all day and do not have enough time to spend with your dog, this is not the breed for you. Training an Irish Setter isn’t always easy because these intelligent animals have a great memory. They will remember everything they are taught – good or bad – and every time you don’t follow through with your training commands. Early training is important because without it, the dog will become very stubborn, willful and do whatever it wants. With all of its energy, they will develop bad habits if left alone. Grooming and Health Problems
Many owners take a lot of pride in grooming their Irish Setters. With their beautiful coat, you should brush it frequently to prevent matting and tangles. Also, their coats need to be professionally groomed at least every few months to keep it gleaming. They can shed a lot and their hair will come off constantly when they get in touch with anything. Irish Setters are healthy dogs, but they do struggle with some genetic diseases. Thyroid and epilepsy are problems, but you can have the parents and puppies checked for these diseases. If you want a happy, good-natured dog that loves to exercise with you and spend as much time with you as possible, the Irish Setter is for you! More Dog Breed Articles: | 