Irish Red and White Setter Breed Standard
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The Kennel Club Picture Library - © Carol-Ann Johnson
General Appearance
Strong and powerful, without lumber; athletic rather than racy.
Characteristics
Biddable, highly intelligent, good worker.
Temperament
Happy, good-natured and affectionate.
Head and Skull
Head broad in proportion to body, with good stop. Skull domed without occipital protuberance as in Irish Setters, fairly square, clean muzzle.
Eyes
Hazel or dark brown, round, slight prominence, and without haw.
Ears
Set level with eyes and well back, lying close to head.
Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Moderately long, very muscular, but not too thick, slightly arched, free from throatiness.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back. Elbows free, turning neither in nor out. Strong, oval bone, well muscled, sinewy, pasterns slightly sloping.
Body
Strong and muscular, deep chest and well sprung ribs. Back and quarters very muscular and powerful. Bone strong, well built up with muscle and sinew.
Hindquarters
Wide and powerful. Legs from hip to hock long and muscular from hock to heel short and strong. Stifle well bent, hocks well let down turning neither in nor out.
Feet
Close-knit, well feathered between toes.
Tail
Strong at root, tapering to fine point, with no appearance of ropiness; not reaching below hock. Well feathered, carried level with back or below in lively manner.
Gait/Movement
Long, free-striding, effortless with drive.
Coat
Finely textured with good feathering. Slight wave permissible but never curly.
Colour
Clearly particoloured, i.e. base colour pearl white, solid red patches. Mottling or flecking but no roaning permitted around face and feet and up foreleg to elbow and up hindleg to hock.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - March 1994
Health Information
Recommended Reading
All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.
Breed Clubs and Societies
- IRISH RED & WHITE CLUB OF GB. Sec: Mrs F Valentine. Tel No: 01536 790159
- IRISH RED & WHITE CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mr B Pilmer. Tel No: 01578 7222208
- SOUTHERN SOCIETY FOR IRISH RED & WHITE SETTERS. Sec. Mrs A Burgess. Tel No: not available, please contact the Kennel Club.
This breed of dog is a 'Vulnerable Native Breed'.
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- Discover Dogs, Gundog Group
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