You will hardly find yourself among the breeds of dogs such a lineage so high and sophisticated like the Irish setter. This colorful animal with reddish fur owes its particular name to the English word set, which is a verb that means to search for prey.
Obviously this breed of dog It was used as a hunting dog. In the beginning, it marked the location of the prey in a unique way and then scared them away so that they were exposed.
Origins and history of the Irish setter
The origins of the Irish setter date back to the XNUMXth century. This breed is the product of a cross between Spaniel (dogs of Spanish origin) pointers and setters.
From the beginning he showed his excellent skills as a bird hunting dog. The hunting qualities of this breed were especially evident when hunting birds. He identified and chased away the birds so that later a hunting hawk would catch them and take their owner.
Originally the breed had a coat with bicolor characteristics but by the XNUMXth century the Irish Red Setter breed imposed its popularity and preference for competitions. At present this breed is the most common in Ireland. In the XNUMXth century the breed was exported to America where it had a wide acceptance among the elite of that continent and became the favorite breed for dog shows.
The breed was resized in 1940 and when Ned Lagrange from Pennsylvania crossed the American setter with other dogs of the same breed imported from Europe. After this a controversy was born between the red and white setter and which one had the best features for the job.
Yet Kennel Club records in 1875 show Elcho an Irish setter as the first dog of the species to win a championship on American soil.
Features
Undoubtedly the most striking thing that the breed has, in addition to an extremely elegant physiognomy, is the reddish color of its fur.
At first they were white and mottled but now the reddish and mahogany color is its hallmark. The white color or the bicolor appearance in its origin were determined by the different regions of Ireland from which it came.
Few breeds have been subjected to such strict genetic care and predetermined leagues to achieve breed improvement.
They currently dominate dog shows around the world and although their genetics were affected by excessive experimentation, currently a beautiful breed has been obtained, brave, energetic and with better features as far as health is concerned.
The Irish Setter has a long history of champions and has been part of the world's elite as a pet of choice.
With regard to the physical appearance of the Irish Setter, the characteristic that stands out the most is its incredibly beautiful reddish fur. The hair is fine and short on the front of the limbs and on the head, and the coat is flat and of medium size on the rest of the body.
The body of this mascot is distinguished, elegant and athletic. His physique is harmonious and proportionate, being able to weigh up to 30 kilograms.
The head is thin and elongated, the ears are medium-sized and drooping of fine texture. The tail is perfectly proportioned to the medium-sized body, set low and strong at the base.
In regards to character, this dog matures slowly both emotionally and physically, which is why he is very playful, restless and lively. Its incredible energy makes it very active.
They are very good faithful companions and protectors. Has puppy behavior until adulthood and even old age.
He is very intelligent so he needs to be well educated to obey orders. On the other hand, he is very sweet and affectionate and quite mischievous. He enjoys playing with children but is not very tolerant of abuse. However, It will only reflect the discomfort with an occasional grunt.
Your aggressive instinct is very low and it is not characterized by being loud or scandalous. If necessary, it will behave as a watchdog, although this is not its strong suit. It responds effectively to affectionate treatment and it should not be forgotten that it requires a lot of physical activity.
Health
The first thing to keep in mind when purchasing an Irish Setter is that They are pets that require a lot of space and physical activity. It is very important to provide both, responsibly as this directly influences your character.
If this dog becomes unbalanced in his physical activity, he becomes violent and unstable. It is also very important to teach him to socialize Through proper education and thanks to its leadership characteristics, this task is not easy, so it should be started as soon as possible while the dog is a puppy.
Its coat is very striking, but it also requires care. Must be brushed frequently, two or three times a week and with the appropriate accessory.
A bath should be applied every six to eight weeks. Your vaccinations should be taken into account and be very attentive to parasites since their contact with the environment and fur predispose them to this problem.
The Irish Setter is linked to care and supervision, however this did not prevent some hereditary or breed-specific diseases from worsening, among which we can mention the progressive retinal atrophy.
This was a disease that affected the breed greatly before. However, at present, crosses are being made under special requirements to eradicate it.
Hip dysplasia is common in large dogs, and gastric torsion is a condition that requires particular attention. They are produced by their intolerance to gluten making them celiac.
It is best to provide them with the right diet for their breed and always with veterinary advice. It should not be forgotten that like all dogs they are essentially carnivorous animals and your diet should be adapted to this requirement.
Caring for the ears should be done frequently to avoid infection. This animal keeps showing incredible hunting qualities, so it is likely to be easily lost if you walk in wide and unfamiliar spaces unsupervised. It is not an aggressive or barking dog so if it shows warning signs it is for good reason.
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