At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives roughly 23-32 kg for both sexes; the FCI standard sets no weight.
FCI gives 62-66 cm for dogs; Wikipedia gives 61-66 cm.
Coat and looks how to spot one
flat coat with silky feathering
An athletic, well-balanced setter, a little stockier than the solid red Irish Setter. Hair is short and flat on the head and front of the legs, with long silky fringes on the ears, backs of the legs, chest, belly and tail. A slight wave is fine but not a curl.12
Personality what they are like
Kind, affectionate and dependable, with a lively, determined spirit in the field. It is bright and learns well with clear, gentle training.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. A working gundog with lots of stamina that needs plenty of daily exercise and enjoys fieldwork or scent-based activities.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush a few times a week, paying attention to the feathering on ears, legs and tail to keep it tangle-free.12
Home where they are happiest
Happiest in an active home with room to run and regular access to open country.21
Company who they like around
A devoted family dog described as friendly towards people; it enjoys being part of household life as well as working in the field.12
The story where it all began
The red and white setter is thought to be the older of Ireland's two setter types, dating to around the late 1600s. It almost disappeared in the 1800s as the solid red Irish Setter took over, until enthusiasts led by Rev. Noble Huston revived it after 1920. A breed society formed in 1981 helped it gain national and international recognition.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Setters were bred to find game birds by scent and then freeze, or 'set', to show the hunter where they were.2
- 2
Much of today's breed traces back to one puppy, Judith Cunningham of Knockalla, nursed back to strength by breeder Maureen Cuddy in 1940.2
- 3
The FCI standard says judges should assess the breed mainly from a working point of view.1
- 4
Its red patches are often compared to the colour of a freshly opened chestnut.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 330, Group 7 Pointing dogs, Section 2 British and Irish pointers and setters (with working trial); standard dated 15.06.2005.1
- AKC
- Sporting Group; recognised 1 January 2009 (per Wikipedia).2
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog group; listed as a vulnerable native breed (per Wikipedia).2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Irish Red and White Setter. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI standard no. 330, Irish Red and White Setter fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Irish Red and White Setter, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, AKC/KC recognition, weight, lifespan, history, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.