Irish Red and White Setter

Common nicknames

Irish R&W Setter
IRWS

Origin

Ireland

Traits
Weight	50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg)
Height	Male	24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm)
	Female	22.5 to 24 inches (57 to 61 cm)
Color	Red and White
Life span	10–12 years

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 7, Section 2.2 Setter #330	standard
AKC	Sporting	standard
ANKC	Group 3 (Gun dogs)	standard
CKC	Group 1 – Sporting dogs	standard
KC (UK)	Gun dog	standard
NZKC	Gundog	standard
UKC	Gun dog breeds	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Traits
Weight	50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg)
Height	Male	24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm)
	Female	22.5 to 24 inches (57 to 61 cm)
Color	Red and White
Life span	10–12 years

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 7, Section 2.2 Setter #330	standard
AKC	Sporting	standard
ANKC	Group 3 (Gun dogs)	standard
CKC	Group 1 – Sporting dogs	standard
KC (UK)	Gun dog	standard
NZKC	Gundog	standard
UKC	Gun dog breeds	standard

The Irish Red and White Setter (Irish: An Sotar Rua agus Bán) is a breed of dog, more specifically a setter. As with all the setters and the Pointer, it is classified as a gundog in the UK and is included in the sporting group in America and Canada. It is virtually identical in use and temperament to the related Irish Setter and its other setter cousins, the Gordon and English setters, but is more often found as a working gun dog.

The original purpose of the breed was to hunt gamebirds. In the UK, their quarry can be partridge or grouse, pheasant, ptarmigan, blackgame, snipe or woodcock as all these birds try to avoid predators by hiding rather than flying away. Overseas bird dogs are used to hunt quail, willow grouse, sand grouse, guinea fowl, sagehen, francolin.

Despite the breed's early origins, it almost became extinct until dedicated breeders managed to revive interest and restore the Irish Red and White setter to a viable position. It is still in a vulnerable position but has gained recognition from all major kennel clubs.

The function of setters is to find and locate game by quartering ground as it searches for the scent carried in the wind by birds such as grouse, partridge, pheasant or snipe. It is fast and wide-ranging. As it gallops in its quest to seek scent, its head is carried high. Once it locates the birds, it will freeze on point or "set" indicating to its handler where the birds are hiding. It may slightly crouch but its position will remain tense, immobile and rigid. The dog's head will remain raised as it savours the airborne scent and it intently stares in the direction of where the birds are hiding. Its tail will be held level with its back. Setters literally show the hunters exactly where the birds are.

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Wikipedia