Irish Red and White Setter

The Irish Red and White Setter is the original Irish setter type — predating the all-red Irish Setter that overshadowed it in the 19th century — and a striking, athletic AKC-recognized gundog placed in the Sporting Group since 2009. Its distinctive parti-colored red and white coat, warm family temperament, and genuine field capability make it one of the most complete sporting and family dogs available. However, prospective buyers must understand Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD) — a potentially fatal inherited immune deficiency unique to this breed that requires DNA testing of both parents before any responsible purchase.

The Irish Red and White Setter is Ireland’s original setter type, with records of red-and-white setting spaniels dating to the 17th century. The all-red variant gained fashion prominence in the 19th century, nearly driving the red and white to extinction. Dedicated Irish breeders — particularly through the Irish Red and White Setter Field and Trial Society, established in 1944 — revived the breed. The AKC recognized the Irish Red and White Setter in 2009. The Irish Red and White Setter Club of America serves as the AKC parent club.

The Irish Red and White Setter is a medium to large sporting dog standing 57 to 66 cm at the shoulder and weighing 16 to 27 kg. The coat is silky white with clearly defined chestnut red patches — a predominantly white body with red markings is required by breed standard. Feathering on the chest, stomach, legs, and tail is characteristic. The head is broad with intelligent eyes and long, low-set feathered ears. The breed’s parti-color pattern is one of the most distinctive in the Sporting Group.

The Irish Red and White Setter is friendly, gentle, and good-natured — warm with its family, sociable with people and other dogs, and consistently excellent with children. It brings the same cheerful affection to family life that makes it an effective hunting partner. The Red and White is described by breed enthusiasts as slightly more tractable than the all-red Irish Setter while sharing the same fundamental warmth and enthusiasm for life.

The Irish Red and White Setter is intelligent and responsive to positive reinforcement training. Its hunting heritage means it engages enthusiastically with scenting, retrieving, and field training. The breed excels at AKC Hunt Tests and field trials as well as agility and obedience competition. Recall in scent-rich environments requires consistent reinforcement.

The Irish Red and White Setter is an outstanding family dog for households with children of all ages. Its gentle, affectionate, and cooperative temperament makes it consistently good-natured, and it forms warm bonds with all family members. The breed’s genuine enthusiasm for outdoor activity makes it a wonderful companion for active families with children who enjoy outdoor play.

The most critical health consideration for the Irish Red and White Setter is Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD) — a life-threatening inherited immune deficiency unique to the breed that leaves affected dogs unable to fight bacterial infections, typically resulting in death in early puppyhood. A DNA test is available and required by AKC CHIC: both parents must be tested, and only clear-to-clear or carrier-to-clear pairings should proceed. Never purchase an IRWS puppy without CLAD DNA documentation for both parents. PRA DNA testing, OFA hip evaluation, and OFA CAER eye examination complete the CHIC requirements. A healthy IRWS typically lives 11 to 15 years.

The Irish Red and White Setter requires an active household with genuine outdoor exercise opportunities. Regular coat grooming and weekly ear cleaning are important ongoing care tasks. CLAD documentation management — knowing the parents’ status and monitoring the puppy for any immune-related issues — is the primary health care consideration for new owners.

The IRWS’s silky coat requires brushing two to three times weekly to prevent feathering tangles. Professional grooming every eight to ten weeks. Bathing every four to six weeks. Ear cleaning weekly. Nail trimming and teeth brushing complete a manageable routine.

The Irish Red and White Setter requires 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise as an active sporting gundog. Field work, swimming, retrieving games, and structured canine sports meet the breed’s activity needs. Off-leash exercise in safely fenced areas given the bird dog’s scent drive.

Irish Red and White Setter puppies from AKC-registered, CHIC-compliant parents typically cost $1,200 to $2,500 in the United States. CLAD DNA documentation for both parents is non-negotiable. Contact the Irish Red and White Setter Club of America for breeder referrals.

CLAD DNA test documentation for both parents is the single most critical purchase requirement. Also request PRA DNA results, OFA hip evaluation, and OFA CAER eye certificates. Contact the Irish Red and White Setter Club of America. Lancaster Puppies occasionally features IRWS listings from established US sporting dog breeders.