Character & Temperament

The Irish Red Setter is known for his affectionate and loving nature. They love the company of humans and tend to develop strong bonds with their families. Their friendly and outgoing nature makes them a great companion for children, although keep in mind that their size and energy can make them overwhelming for small children. Despite their gentle and loving nature, they also have a lot of temperament and endurance. They are energetic, alert and incredibly motivated, making them excellent working dogs, especially in the area of ​​hunting. However, their innate hunting instinct may make them prone to chasing or harassing smaller pets. You should also be sure that your setter listens well to the callback and does not hunt independently if you let him run without a leash. To ensure that your daily walks remain relaxed, you should give your setter a good physical and mental workout so that he is not constantly on the hunt for tracks, but instead concentrates on you. Irish Setters are intelligent dogs that like to be challenged, both physically and mentally. They learn quickly and are very receptive, making them excellent candidates for various types of dog sports and training. However, it should be noted that their high intelligence also means that they require consistent training to avoid bad behavior. Setters can be very sensitive, which is why consistency should never be confused with a hard hand! They are extremely people-oriented and do not like to be alone. It is important to practice staying alone for short periods of time at a young age to avoid separation anxiety. An Irish Setter is generally not a typical guard dog. They are usually very friendly and open-minded towards strangers and do not tend to aggressively defend their territory. However, their vigilance and attentive nature can make them good alerters when something unusual happens in their environment.

What Awaits You

The Irish Red Setter is very keen on hunting and must be used accordingly. It is something for active dog owners who know how to deal with their high hunting motivation.

Housing & Care

Setters are active dogs and therefore need plenty of space to run around and play. They are particularly happy when they can enjoy their garden together with their humans and take long walks in nature. Since Setters already have a lot of temperament, an Irish Setter from the show line is probably better suited as a family dog ​​than the even more active hunting dog from the working line. Setters are generally good with children, but because of their size and activity, they should always be supervised to avoid accidents. They also tend to get along well with other pets, including cats, as long as they have been properly socialized and do not view them as objects of hunting. Due to its energy and desire to move, this breed is best suited for active people who like to spend a lot of time outdoors and rarely leave their four-legged friend alone. You should also already have dog experience, as Setters need loving, consistent training.

Training & Education

Irish Red Setters are intelligent dogs that respond well to training. They need positive reinforcement and gentle but consistent training to be happy and well-adjusted. The active Irish should receive enough exercise and mental stimulation to be healthy and happy. Care should be taken not to overwork them as this can lead to stress and health problems. Therefore, “switch-off training” is very important for this breed in order to train it to be a relaxed companion in everyday life. Some Irish Setters tend to become ball junkies, so playing with balls should not be overused. Instead, attention should be paid to varied games and training. Because of their hunting instinct, it is important that they learn to control their impulses and develop frustration tolerance at an early age. This can be achieved through various exercises and training sessions. The Irish Setter benefits enormously from learning at an early age that he can experience "hunting fun" together with his people. Activities such as tracking, mantrailing, retrieving and stimulus fishing training are excellent examples of this. The better the dog becomes at these activities, the greater the opportunity to grant him freedom in the form of free running. At the same time, recall training should be at the top of the list of training priorities, as well as many exercises for waiting, staying and "resting". ", especially in situations with hunting attractions. At home, the Irish Setter usually turns into a relaxed roommate who values ​​the company of his people above all else and loves to cuddle on the sofa.

Nutrition & Care

The Irish Setter's diet should be tailored to their energy needs. They are active dogs and therefore require a high quality diet that is rich in proteins and healthy fats. Care should also be taken to ensure that they do not become overweight, as this can put strain on their joints and increase the risk of certain health problems. Grooming the Irish Setter is a little more complex due to their long, silky coat. They should be brushed regularly to prevent tangles and to keep their coat nice and healthy. They have no undercoat and their fur is not particularly thick, so a dog coat is recommended in winter. They shed moderately, especially during the shedding periods in spring and autumn.