Sporting Dogs

The Irish Setter. Happy-go-lucky, loyal, and likable, the red Irishman has good looks and abounding vitality. In the field he is tough and corageous, at home he makes the most gentle and affectionate of companions.

Many of the first Irish Setters were not red but white with red markings. The Irish Setter is more finaly drawn and usually higher at shoulder than the English or Gordon Setter. He is slim and fast, long-legged. He has sensitivity of a thoroughbred race horse. Since Irish Setters are high-strung and often temperamental, they require more patient training than do some other breeds. His first love is his master's companionship, not finding birds, and when treated as a close friend he is easily to control.

The Irish can't match the English Setter or the Pointer in extrime range, but he covers his more restricted territory thoroughly. In autumn woods abounding in reddish browns and deep shadows the dark coat that makes him so beautiful is a disadvantage, for he is sometimes harder to see than the white breeds. The rich golden chestnut colour should have no trace of black.

Slight white markings on chest, throat, toes, or a small star on the forehead are not disqualifications. He is about the same size as his English cousin (shoulder height 25 - 27 inches) and, generally speaking, the body is on similar lines, but there is a certain distinctive difference in the shape of the head, which is not so long, nor are the lips so square. Coat of moderate length and as free as possible from curl or wave.