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Irish red and white setter

The Irish Red and White Setter is older than the familiar solid red Irish Setter — the solid dogs were bred out of this population in the nineteenth century when red became fashionable, and the parti-coloured original nearly vanished entirely.

It was rebuilt from the 1920s by a small group of Irish enthusiasts.

It stands 57 to 66 centimetres, weighs 22 to 32 kilograms and lives eleven to fifteen years, with a white coat marked in solid red patches. It is a working gundog, more solidly built and often steadier than the solid red setter, and it is friendly, biddable and energetic. Two inherited conditions have DNA tests.

Origin
Ireland; older than the solid red Irish Setter
Size
57–66 cm; 22–32 kg
Lifespan
11–15 years
Coat
White with solid red patches; feathered
Temperament
Friendly, biddable and energetic; a working gundog
Health
CLAD and PRA — both DNA testable; hip dysplasia

Related: Irish setter · English setter · Gordon setter · Irish terrier · Irish water spaniel

2 irish red and white setter photos, newest first

  • Custard III, a irish red and white setter

    Custard III

    Custard III was promoted to pastry chef confronting a leaning cake; unfortunately, a basket of yarn unravels around everything.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Custard III, a irish red and white setter

    Custard III

    Custard III waiting for something to happen. Anything.

    MerryBadger · 2 weeks ago

Living with a irish red and white setter

Ask for the CLAD DNA test. Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency prevents white blood cells reaching infections; affected puppies die young. It is recessive, breed-specific and testable, and testing has almost eliminated it. Ask for PRA testing too.

Ask for hip scores.

They are working gundogs and need an hour or more of hard exercise plus scent work. They mature slowly and stay adolescent for a couple of years.

The feathering needs brushing twice a week and light trimming; ears need weekly cleaning.

The gene pool is small after the near-extinction, so ask what a breeder does about diversity.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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