Dog breeds: Irish setter, children's best friend 2026

The Irish setter worked in Ireland as one of the hunting dog breeds. The first specimens that lived in that area were red and white, probably a mix of a red dog that has no name or face.

As in many other breeds, its real origin is not exactly known but there is a current that says that it is the result of a selection made by ancient man to help him in hunting. Although, on the other hand, if we appreciate the paintings in which the hunters were illustrated, we can see that the Irish setter could have been the son of the Spanish spaniel and that it was later imported to Great Britain. This is what some historians who have studied these paintings believe. There are also theories that say it may be a mix of the bloodhond, or the pointer, the Irish water spaniel, the English setter, or the English setter. All because it is believed that they were used to make the breed larger.

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In the 19th century the Irish setter became known in its land thanks to the characteristics that made it optimal for hunting. At the end of this century the Irish Red Setter Club was created in Dublin.

Nowadays, this dog rests in more homes than is seen in hunting grounds, even so, the animal has its chasing and sniffing instincts very awake.

One of the most athletic dog breeds

The setter is smart, smart, active, affectionate and faithful.

In the family he will be playful and will need to exercise with his human. It is better for him to be with an athletic family because he is very active and needs movement. Having children in that house will be great for this animal because it will be able to unleash its continuous desire to play.

He is not distrustful with strangers.

physical appearance

Irish setters differentiate their height by gender but also by the color of their coat. Red and white males measure 62 to 66 cm and single red males measure 57 to 70 cm. The red and white females measure 57 to 61 cm and the complete red ones measure 54 to 67 cm. The weight of all of them is 20 to 25 kg.

His body is strong. Its neck is muscular, its back straight and its rump wide. The legs are elongated and well muscled. He has strong fingers and a lot of hair between them.

The head of this setter is elongated, with a marked stop and a square snout. Its nose is mahogany, black or brown. The eyes are medium in size and dark in color. The ears are thin and hang forward on the sides of the face.

Its tail is set low and of medium length. It tapers towards the tip. And it is very populated, forming a beautiful hairy fan.

Speaking of his hair, it is almost straight and of medium length all over his body. On the head and on the front of the legs it is short but longer on the ears, legs, belly and tail. Its color can be mahogany, sometimes with white markings, or white with brown or red markings.