How does the Irish Red and White Setter work in the field?
The Irish red and white setter is a bird dog that quarters open ground and points game for the guns. It is a little heavier and steadier than the red setter.
The Irish red and white setter is the older of the two Irish setter breeds, and it nearly died out in the early twentieth century before enthusiasts revived it. It is a bird dog that quarters open ground, points firmly and holds game for the guns, and like other setters it is not normally expected to retrieve. It tends to be a little heavier and steadier than the red setter, with a methodical way of working ground. In Britain it is worked on grouse moors and in pointer and setter field trials, but working-bred dogs are uncommon, so look for parents with field experience and ask the breeder how they are used.
What is the Irish Red and White Setter like to live and work with?
Friendly, good-natured and affectionate, often a little calmer than the red setter. It needs plenty of free running.
Irish red and white setters are friendly, good-natured and affectionate, with a playful streak and a gentle manner. They are usually good with children and other dogs, and they tend to be sociable with visitors. Many are a little calmer than red setters, though they still have great stamina and need plenty of free running. They can be independent and easily distracted by scent, so they respond best to patient, consistent handling. Look for parents that are confident, sociable and keen in the field, and that respond to their handler at a distance.
Which health tests matter for the Irish Red and White Setter?
Both parents should have hip and elbow scores and a current eye certificate. The key DNA test is CLAD.
Ask for both parents' hip scores and elbow grades under the BVA/KC schemes, and a current eye certificate under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. A DNA test is available for canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD), a fatal immune disorder; it is inherited recessively, so a puppy is not expected to be affected by the tested variant when at least one parent has a reliable clear result, and responsible breeders test for it. The breed clubs keep an up-to-date list of recommended tests, so ask which have been done and see the certificates. With a small population, breeders have to balance health against keeping the gene pool as wide as possible, so ask how the mating was chosen. Results for Kennel Club registered dogs can be checked on the Kennel Club's Health Test Results Finder. Our buying checklist covers what else to check before you pay.
How much training and exercise does the Irish Red and White Setter need?
The setter pattern of stop and turn whistles and steadiness, taught calmly. An adult needs a great deal of free running.
Training follows the setter pattern: a reliable stop whistle and turn whistle, steadiness on point, and dropping to flush and shot. Irish red and white setters respond well to calm, patient handling and are often a little easier to steady than red setters, but they still mature slowly and should not be rushed. Many handlers bring young dogs on alongside experienced setters on the moor. An adult working dog needs a great deal of free running each day. The coat is less profuse than the red setter's but still needs brushing a couple of times a week, and the feathering should be checked for burrs and seeds.
How long does it take to train the Irish Red and White Setter?
For the Irish Red and White Setter, readiness for the intended role matters more than a birthday. Check demonstrated foundations, physical suitability and the support needed for the next stage.
Early learning includes socialisation, recall and an introduction to open ground. After comfortable everyday foundations, the young dog learns the stop and turn whistles and begins to range and point. With reliable foundations, it is steadied on point and taught to drop to flush and shot, ideally alongside experienced setters on the moor. Litters are few, so keep an eye on the Irish red and white setter puppies for sale. Use the training progression guide to discuss readiness with a reward-based trainer. Ask your vet about physical demands, and plan game, water and gunfire introductions with competent help.