Ireland is the native land of several breeds of dog, all of which where developed for sporting or hunting purposes, almost all self coloured and are of the native hues of the land of their birth. The breeds were developed by a sport loving people and they represent that sporting heritage; Irish Wolfhound, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel and the two types of Irish setter, the Irish Red and White setter and the Irish Red Setter. The breeds were developed to accompany and aid their owners in their sporting pursuits. The setters and water spaniels became more popular in later times as the sports that they were developed for became popular with the development of firearms in the 18th century. Irish Setters remain popular hunting dogs to this day.
The Irish Red Setter Club was established in 1882 to promote the Red dog and drafted the breed standard. The club issued the Breed Standard in 1886, and has organised field trials and shows to set the Standard for the Breed since that time. That standard was the description of working dog, the physical specification of an athletic, enduring working dog. In Ireland Irish setters were developed to hunt game birds on the mountains, bogs, farmland and forests of the country and up to World War II were almost exclusively the only breed used for that purpose. In 1998 the club published the Working Style for the Breed. The Breed Standard and Working Style together describes the physical form and working ability of the Breed. The Irish Red Setter is a hardy, healthy, intelligent dog, possessed of excellent working ability and great stamina.
To become a member of the Irish Red Setter club click HERE
Irish Red Setter Club 