Irish Setter: From Setting Dogs to Field and Show Lines
Across fields and moorland, the Irish Setter searches for gamebirds by scent, then holds a pointing position toward a bird hidden in the cover. It is a tireless, wide-ranging hunter, suited to wet or dry moorland terrain. The name encompasses both the show-bred dog recognized by the American Kennel Club and the field-bred Red Setter recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book. Originating in Ireland, it is both a gundog and a family dog, known for a friendly and gentle temperament.
Setting dogs appeared in writing long before that red breed took its modern form. In De Canibus Britannicis, published in 1570 and revised in 1576, Caius portrayed a quiet dog that followed its handler's gestures, found birds, and lowered itself toward the ground. His dog was a type of setting spaniel, probably now extinct, with a working method resembling that of later setters. He described mostly white coats; when spots were present, they were commonly red and fairly large. Richard Surflet and Gervase Markham also mentioned land spaniels called setters in The Country Farme in 1616.
By the early eighteenth century, setters had emerged as a recognizable type, and breeders in Ireland were developing their own lines. The de Freyne family of French Park began keeping detailed breeding histories in 1793. Lord Clancarty, Lord Dillon, and the Marquis of Waterford were among other landed Irish breeders active at the time. In 1845, dogs in Ireland were described as red, red and white, lemon-colored, or white with deep chestnut patches. Preference for solid red gradually changed the appearance of Irish-bred dogs.
The Irish Red Setter Club in Dublin drew up a breed standard approved on 29 March 1886. It used a 100-point scale, assigning points to physical attributes. That scoring system was later dropped, while the standard changed relatively little beyond minor revisions. The modern dog has a deep chest, a small waist, and a moderately long, silky coat in red or chestnut. Fine outer hair lies over an undercoat that becomes abundant in winter. Feathering appears on the tail, ears, chest, legs, and body. Frequent brushing is needed to keep that coat in condition and prevent mats from forming.
The Irish Setter reached the United States early in the nineteenth century. American Field established the Field Dog Stud Book in 1874. Dogs could then be registered even when their parents belonged to different breeds. Irish bloodlines contributed to the development of the Llewellin Setter alongside English Setter lines. Red Irish dogs also became favorites at shows, though American Kennel Club registrations still included several colors late in the century. The completely red dog won particular favor in the show ring, influencing the direction of breeding.
Between 1874 and 1948, the breed produced 760 conformation champions but only five field champions. During the 1940s, Field and Stream and Sports Afield called for outcrossing to restore its working prospects. Ned LaGrande of Pennsylvania bought remaining working dogs in America and imported others from overseas. With approval from the Field Dog Stud Book, he crossed them with red and white field champion English Setters. The National Red Setter Field Trial Club formed to test dogs and encourage breeding toward competitors capable of succeeding against white setters. These efforts produced the modern working Red Setter and sparked disagreement over registration and breeding.
Before 1975, registration with either the American Kennel Club or the Field Dog Stud Book qualified a dog for registration with the other. That year, the Irish Setter Club of America requested an end to reciprocal registration, and the American Kennel Club agreed. Working kennels today field champion dogs that claim lines from both registries. The modern working dog is generally smaller than its show-bred relative: working dogs are commonly around 45 pounds, while show dogs often reach 70 pounds. Shorter feathering and a less silky coat accompany lighter russet or fawn coloring. White patches on the face and chest recall earlier Irish dogs. A handful of dedicated breeders in California and elsewhere have also worked to rekindle the field abilities of the true type Irish, with some success.
Public life gave the Irish Setter another stage beyond fields and shows. Emperor Alexander II of Russia owned an Irish Setter named Milord. In the United States, King Timahoe became Richard Nixon's pet after White House staff gave him the dog for his birthday in January 1969. The breed's affectionate, playful temperament also appears in formal standards: the British standard calls for demonstrable affection, while the American standard emphasizes humor and character. Plunkett was the only Irish setter depicted in George Earl's painting A Field Trial in the Eighties.