The rollicking Irish Red and White Setter is an athletic medium-sized bird dog bred primarily for hunting. Fun-loving, friendly, and high-spirited, Irish Red and Whites are a bit shorter and stockier than their cousin the Irish Setter — looking for all the world like they could head into the field without skipping a beat.
As with all setters, the Irish Red and White Setter is classified as a gundog in the UK and included in the sporting group in America and Canada. It is virtually identical in use and temperament to the related Irish Setter, but is more often found as a working gun dog.
The Original Irish Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter is the older of the two Irish Setter breeds — it is fairly certain that judicious selective breeding evolved the solid red color of its cousin. "Setting dogges," an ancient term for setters, were developed to find game birds and would have been used in Roman times. Before the invention of gunpowder, setters were used with nets: the dog would freeze on point when it scented game, and the hunters would come up behind and throw a net over the crouching birds.
By the 17th century, "setting dogges" had become established as recognizable setters. Originally, setters in Ireland were mostly red, parti-color red and white, or mostly white — all accepted as Irish Setters and mated to each other. As late as 1875, at a conformation show in Dublin, 23 of 66 Irish Setter entries were red and white.
In the late 1800s, however, the red-coated setters became dizzyingly fashionable, thanks in large part to American tourists who became smitten and desired to bring them home. The financial incentive to breed more red dogs turned the tables on the once-more-populous red-and-white dogs. By the end of the 19th century, the Red Setter had virtually eclipsed the Red and White, which became so rare that they were thought to be extinct.
Irish clergyman Noble Huston, returning from World War I to find the breed near zero, began a revival and logged each dog in his parish register. Near the end of his life, Huston corresponded with Maureen Clarke (later Cuddy), who in 1940 acquired a sickly puppy named Judith Cunningham of Knockalla and bred her to one of the reverend's dogs — her once-frail puppy can be found in the pedigree of virtually every Irish Red and White Setter alive today. Cuddy's husband William founded the Irish Red and White Setter Society in 1944.
Everything changed in 1980, when a dog that Cuddy bred, Harlequin of Knockalla, was exhibited at Crufts and accidentally listed among the Irish Setters — as the red-marked dog with the brilliant white coat entered the ring, fanciers realized the breed was not extinct. The breed was recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in the late 1970s, the Kennel Club of the UK in 1984, the FCI in 1989, and the American Kennel Club in 2009. Today the breed is still not bred or shown in great numbers and is considered a Vulnerable Native Breed in the UK.
Athletic Rather Than Racy
The Irish Red and White Setter should have an aristocratic, well-proportioned, balanced appearance yet still be strong and powerful without lumber or coarseness. It does not have the racy appearance of its solid red cousin — the Red and White Setter is heavier in body, with a broader head. They are athletic, keen, and intelligent.
Males stand 24 to 26 inches at the withers and females 22.5 to 24 inches, weighing 50 to 70 pounds. The coat is long, silky, and fine, with feathering on the back of the fore and hind legs, the outer ear flap, the flank, chest, and throat. The color is a white base with solid red patches — clear islands of red — both colors showing the maximum of life and bloom. The breed was the preferred setter for hunters because its parti-color made it easier to spot when working at a distance.
Friendly, Devoted, and High-Spirited
The Irish Red and White Setter is aristocratic, keen, and intelligent, displaying a kindly, friendly attitude behind which is discernible determination, courage, and high spirit. It can be the most devoted and affectionate of dogs, making it an ideal all-round family dog. Setters are usually good-natured, very gentle, and get on well with children and other dogs.
To hunters, the Red and White Setter has been considered slightly superior to the Red Setter because of its calmer temperament, and because it can be more easily seen in the autumn countryside. The breed is bred primarily for the field.
Exercise and Activity
Irish Red and Whites are extremely intelligent and respond well to proper training, but they do need plenty to occupy them. They thrive best in active families where they have outlets for their high energy, and require space to run freely — more than 2 hours of exercise per day according to the Kennel Club. Once they reach maturity, the breed's working instincts mean they need enough space to run hard and fast for a long distance.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this athletic gundog.
Training an Irish Red and White Setter
The Red and White Setter is a very friendly, dependable, and easily trained gundog. They are highly intelligent and excel with positive, consistent training. Like all setters, they retain an ingrained natural working ability, and once trained they are loyal, reliable companions.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming an Irish Red and White Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter has a medium-long, silky coat with feathering that needs brushing more than once a week to prevent tangles and mats. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning (important for floppy-eared breeds), and tooth brushing.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a long-coated sporting breed.
Feeding an Irish Red and White Setter
An Irish Red and White Setter should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. As a very active sporting breed, sound nutrition supports daily exercise.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
Irish Red and White Setters have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years and are generally a robust breed. Responsible breeders screen for conditions seen in the setters, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and bloat.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Irish Red and White Setter is an ideal all-round family dog — affectionate, gentle, and good with children and other dogs. They need a large house with a large garden and active families that can meet their high exercise needs, whether in town or country.
If you're weighing whether an Irish Red and White Setter fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning an Irish Red and White Setter means committing to a high-energy sporting breed that needs more than two hours of daily exercise, plenty of space to run, and mental stimulation. They are still a vulnerable native breed — relatively rare and not bred or shown in great numbers.
Yet for the right owner, the Irish Red and White Setter is incomparable — a devoted, high-spirited, aristocratic hunter with the heritage of Ireland's original setters.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Devoted, affectionate, ideal family dog
- Excellent with children and other dogs
- Friendly, dependable, and easily trained
- Calmer temperament than the Red Setter
- Highly visible in the field
- Gained recognition from all major kennel clubs
Disadvantages
- High exercise needs (2+ hours daily)
- Needs plenty of space to run
- Requires mental stimulation
- Grooming needed for feathered coat
- Relatively rare — a vulnerable native breed
- Working instincts demand an active outlet
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Irish Red and White Setters get? Males 24–26 in; females 22.5–24 in; weight 50–70 lb.
How long do Irish Red and White Setters live? Typically 10 to 12 years.
Are Irish Red and White Setters good family dogs? Excellent — devoted, affectionate, and gentle.
Are Irish Red and White Setters easy to train? Yes — friendly, dependable, and easily trained.
Are Irish Red and White Setters good with children? Yes — good-natured and gentle.
Are Irish Red and White Setters rare? Yes — considered a Vulnerable Native Breed in the UK.
Are Irish Red and White Setters the original Irish Setter? Yes — the solid red color evolved from them.
Do Irish Red and White Setters shed much? Moderate shedding with a feathered coat.
Are Irish Red and White Setters good apartment dogs? No — they need space and 2+ hours of exercise daily.
Are Irish Red and White Setters good with other dogs? Yes — they get on well with other dogs.
What were Irish Red and White Setters bred to do? Find and point game birds like partridge, grouse, and pheasant.
What health problems do Irish Red and White Setters have? Hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA, and bloat.