Irish Red and White Setter
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| Irish Red and White Setter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country of origin | Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nicknames | Irish R&W Setter IRWS |
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The Irish Red and White Setter is a breed of dog, more specifically a setter. It is virtually identical in use and temperament to its cousin, the Irish Setter, but is more often found as a working gundog.
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[edit] Description
[edit] Appearance
The coat is long and silky, mostly white, with deep red patches. The dogs range in height from 22 1/2 to 24 for females and 24 to 26 inches for males, and weigh 50 to 70 pounds (27-32 kg).
[edit] Temperament
The Red and White can take longer to train than other gundogs, but once trained it is a loyal and reliable companion. They need firm, decisive but not harsh training. Like the Irish Setter, the breed has an enthusiastic zest for life, loves to play, and is excellent with children. They can be the most devoted and affectionate of dogs, and are extremely perceptive. Irish Red and White Setters thrive best in active families and require room to romp.
[edit] History
Originally all Irish Setters were mostly red, or red and white, but for many years breeders developed only the red varieties. Consequently, the breed came close to extinction. Thanks to the efforts of an early 20th-century Irish clergyman, Noble Huston, the breed was saved. The Irish Red and White Setter has undergone a revival in recent decades and is considered a separate breed by most major kennel clubs. The breed is still in development for the AKC. As of June '07, the breed is eligible for AKC Miscellaneous Class conformation competition, a step toward full competition within the AKC.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Breed Status in the United States: Currently Irish Red and White Setters that are recorded in the AKC's FSS may earn hunting titles as well as titles in obedience, dog agility, rally obedience, and tracking. They may not compete and earn either field or show championships. Starting June 27, 2007 the breed will be eligible to be shown in the Miscellaneous Class at AKC dog shows.
Many working dog breeds are not officially registered with any kennel club or breed registry. The Irish Red and White Setter is one of those breeds where many parents and offspring may not be "papered" but are still part of the breed. Not being registered in a breed registy does not make a dog any less a representative of its breed. Many working breeds are moving away from the "purebred" notion and instead are breeding for phenotype, not genotype, which will help prevent the working dog populations from acquiring genetic diseases such as we've seen in the last century with "pure" breed.
As working dogs depend on health, ability, and temperament to be successful, it is important to breed for those characteristics and allow a lot of variability within the breed. A continuing loss of genetic diversity (such as has been seen in most modern "purebreds" because of their closed gene pools) leads to less healthy, less resistant animals that are less able to do their jobs.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Irish Red and White Setter Club of Ireland
- Irish Red and White Setter Club of Great Britain
- Irish Red and White Setter Association AKC/FSS Parent Club; can also assist with questions of pedigree
- Irish Kennel Club breed standard
- Irish Red & White Setter Pedigree Collection
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