Irish Red and White Setter
Older than the solid red Irish setter, and nearly lost to it when red became fashionable. The white was there so a handler could see the dog in cover.
Photo by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
The Irish Red and White Setter is the older of the two Irish setters, and the solid red dog was bred out of it in the nineteenth century when the red colour became fashionable. The red and white nearly disappeared as a result and was rebuilt in the twentieth century from working stock.
The white is functional: a red dog in cover is hard for a hunter to see, and a red and white one is not.
Temperament
Friendly, biddable and less frantic than the Irish Setter. Red and Whites are affectionate with their families, good with children, and sociable with other dogs.
They are working dogs first, since the revival came from field stock rather than show lines, so the drive is intact. They are sensitive and respond to encouragement rather than correction, and they mature slowly.
Care and grooming
A flat silky coat with feathering that needs brushing twice a week and attention to the feathering. Moderate shedding.
Canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency, a fatal immune condition, has a DNA test and is specific to this breed group. Progressive retinal atrophy and hip dysplasia also occur. Eleven to fifteen years.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day with room to range. This is a working gundog with genuine stamina.
The breed is rare and most breeding is done by people who work their dogs, which is why the temperament and the health have held up. Expect a waiting list.
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