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Origin & Purpose
The Irish Setter probably came to its own at the end of the 17th century.
It is not well known outside of Ireland that there are two breeds of Irish
Setters, but it is fairly certain, that the Red and White Setter is the older of
the two, and that judicious selective breeding evolved the solid red colour.
When the Irish Setters came to the show benches, just past the middle of the
19th century, there was a good deal of confusion about their proper colour.
By the end of the 19th century, the Red Setter had virtually eclipsed the Red
and White, which became so rare, that they were thought to be extinct.
During the 1920's efforts were made to revive the breed.
By 1944, the breed had re-established itself well enough to have a club of its
own, and today it can be seen in healthy numbers at Irish shows. To
hunters it has been considered slightly superior to the Red Setter because of
its calmer temperament, and because it can be more easily seen in the autumn
countryside. The Irish Red and White Setter is bred primarily for the
field. All judges must be encouraged to judge the dogs from the working
standpoint.
General Appearance
Strong and powerful, well balanced and proportioned without lumber; athletic
rather than racy.
Temperament
Aristocratic, keen and intelligent. Displays a kindly, friendly attitude,
behind which should be discernible determination, courage and high spirit.
Size
Desirable height at withers:
Dogs: 24 1/2 inches to 26 inches (62 to 66 cm.)
Bitches: 22 1/2 inches to 24 inches (57 to 61 cm.)
Coat and colour
Hair: long, silky, fine hair called 'feathering' on the back of the fore and
hind legs and on the outer ear flap, also a reasonable amount on the flank
extending on to the chest and throat forming a fringe. All feathering
straight, flat and not over profuse. The tail should be well feathered.
On the head, front of legs and other parts of the body the hair should be short,
flat and free from curl but slight wave is permissible.
Base colour white with solid red patches (clear islands of red colour), both
colours should show the maximum of life and bloom; flecking but not roaning
permitted around the face and feet and up the foreleg as far as the hock;
roaning, flecking and mottling on any other part of the body is most
objectionable and is to be heavily penalized.
Head
Broad in proportion to the body. Skull: domed without showing occipital
protuberance, as in the Irish Red Setter. Stop: good stop. Muzzle:
clean and square. Jaws: of equal or nearly equal length. Teeth:
regular, scissors bite ideal; level bite acceptable. Eyes: dark hazel or
dark brown; round, with slight prominence and without haw. Ears: set level
with the eyes, and well back, lying close to the head.
Neck
Moderately long, very muscular, but not too thick, slightly arched, free from
all tendency to throatiness.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight and sinewy, well boned. Shoulders well laid back.
Elbows free, turning neither in nor out. Pastern strong.
Body
Strong and muscular. Back very muscular and powerful. Chest, deep
with well sprung ribs.
Hindquarters
Wide and powerful; hind legs from hip to hock long and muscular, from hock to
heel of moderate length and strong. Stifle well bent. Hock well let
down, turning neither in nor out. Feet close knit with plenty of
feathering between toes.
Tail
Moderate length, not reaching below hock, strong at root, tapering to a fine
point; no appearance of ropiness and carried level with or below the back.
Gait
When moving at the trot long striding, very lively, graceful and efficient.
Head held high, hindquarters drive smoothly and with great power. Forelegs reach
well ahead and remain low. Seen from front or rear forelegs and hind legs
below the hock joint moving perpendicularly to the ground; no crossing or
weaving of legs, front or back.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree.
NB: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum. |
