Ireland is home to some of the world's most beautiful dog breeds. With its stunning mahogany coat and striking features, the Irish Setter is no exception. This breed ranks among the most friendly and energetic breeds around, which can undoubtedly be traced back to their former occupation as gun dogs.
However, while they were a crucial part of the hunt, Irish Setters can get on with anyone. No matter whether you have other dogs in the home, children or even someone that's adamant that dogs don't like them, you'll have a friend for life from the moment they arrive home.
This dog is so full of energy that it needs an equally energetic owner. Be prepared for two walks a day and expect to spend at least half an hour on each one. Of course, you can subsidise that by letting an Irish Setter run around your garden, but this isn't a breed for the couch potatoes out there!
Their friendliness and loyalty make them genuine companions but means they don't cope well with separation. If you spend a lot of time at home and enjoy long walks with a faithful friend, there aren't many other breeds that can come close to this one!
Some dog breeds are difficult to assess when it comes to their personalities. Different pups of the same breed can be every bit as diverse as their owners. Fortunately, with Irish Setters, you can already have a great idea of what to expect.
Irish Setters are some of the friendliest dogs you could ever hope to meet. They get on incredibly well with animals and humans alike, and their inquisitive nature means that they're always happy to make the first move.
That curiosity can get them into trouble at times. If something's new, and even if it's not, they want to know all about it. They can be mischievous at times too, so obedience training should be high on your priority list if you want any chance of staying in control! You may need a good trainer, too, as these dogs find it hard to stay focused for extended periods and are easily distracted.
Even a well-trained dog will still have its moments. One of the only unpredictable parts of their personalities involves maturity. As puppies, they're some of the most playful little dogs you could ever meet. Many of them stay that way for life. It's impossible to tell when they're young. Some grow up around age two or slightly later, while others will maintain their childlike innocence and enthusiasm for their entire lives.
Irish Setters come in both show and field varieties. The former are often larger and heavier, but they are otherwise practically identical and meet the breed's written standard. After a training breakthrough, they're suitable for showing and performance, but they're equally comfortable sitting at home all day and spending time with the family – outside of walkies, of course!
Irish Setters really can get on with anyone. They're loyal companions and highly intelligent dogs. However, they have their needs much like any other.
As touched on in the introduction, if you want to give this dog breed its best possible daily routine, you must be prepared to get some exercise yourself! At the very minimum, you should be ready to walk them twice a day for at least half an hour each time. But, of course, if you're happy to up those numbers to a couple of hours of walking or jogging a day, your canine companion won't complain.
While it's common to leave dogs to their own devices to burn off their energy in the garden, that's not necessarily a solution with Irish Setters. Instead, they're considered indoor dogs as they despise being apart from their family.
They get very attached very quickly and become anxious when left alone for more than a couple of hours.
Even heading out to work can be too long to leave an Irish Setter alone, and they're not afraid to express their displeasure through destructive behaviour.
These traits add up to a breed that is best suited to homes where someone is always around. So, if you're retired or work from home, these dogs will keep you entertained all day, every day and won't leave your side.
It's also important to consider future plans if you decide to introduce an Irish Setter into your family. Expect over a decade of dog-friendly breaks and holidays, as your pet won't want to miss any of the fun and kennels are no substitute for seeing things for themselves.
The Irish Setter's coat is a core part of its appeal, but it requires maintenance just like any other dog. You'll quickly become accustomed to different hair lengths around the body when giving your pet a brush. It's relatively short on the head and front legs, and longest of all on the back.
While they don't have the longest hair of any breed out there, their coats can be prone to tangling. So, if you want to retain a shiny, tangle-free coat, expect to brush your Irish Setter at least once every couple of days.
With such beautiful coats, it can be tempting to keep their hair on the longer side. However, you should take temperatures into account. Irish Setters can adapt to most weather and are equally happy in wet or dry conditions. Nevertheless, giving them a trim in a heatwave makes sense, as does letting their coats grow out in winter.
Temperatures aside, Irish Setters can be prone to shedding their coats. Regular trims can help, but there's only so much an owner can do before accepting that vacuuming may rise through the cleaning priority list when your pet arrives. Naturally, keeping on top of brushing every other day can also minimise the amount of tidying up after your dog.
Fortunately, while frequent brushing helps, you won't have to worry too much about bathing. Assuming you don't make a habit of going for walks through bogs and churned fields every day, you can bathe your pet just a couple of times each year. If you keep on top of grooming, bath time is a breeze.
Many Irish Setters keep their nails in check naturally due to the sheer amount of exercise they do each day. However, if that's not the case, you can stay on top of them with a monthly trim. Teeth should be brushed three times per week, and it's essential to check your pet's ears each week too.
As with all breeds with pendant ears, Irish Setters are susceptible to ear infections. Clean them with a moist cotton ball, taking care not to put anything into the ear canal. If any ear areas look or smell bad, it might be worth consulting a vet to treat any infection as quickly as possible.
Irish Setters have a knack for staying healthy. However, like any dogs, they will benefit from owners that take a keen interest in keeping them in top condition.
You're already prepared for keeping an eye on their ears as part of your grooming routine and it's also a great idea to keep an eye on their weight. If their exercise routine slips for any reason, but their diet remains the same, they can quickly become overweight. Try to feed them as part of a separate routine and avoid any temptation to always leave food down for them.
Irish Setter pet insurance covers everything from getting ear infections checked out to the more serious conditions listed above. Get a quote for lifetime cover and the peace of mind it brings from us today!
Not all Irish Setters will have health issues, but they are predisposed to some conditions, like those below.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina.
Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind, with the loss of sight during the day occurring as the disease progresses.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment, but it is known that the condition doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort and most dogs will adapt well to their limited or lost vision, so long as their surroundings and environment stay the same.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland which is believed to be a cause of issues including epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy and skin conditions.
This is a disorder that can be quite easily treated through a dog’s diet and medication.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is often, but not always, inherited.
The condition causes mild or severe seizures which may show themselves as unusual behaviour such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, hiding, or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness.
Although seizures are frightening and saddening to watch, the long-term prognosis for sufferers is generally very good.
If you suspect your dog has epilepsy, take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment as there could be other reasons for seizures.