Older than its famous solid-red cousin, the Irish Red and White Setter is a rollicking, athletic bird dog that was nearly lost to fashion trends before dedicated breeders brought it back. This profile covers temperament, care needs, grooming, what to expect in day-to-day life, and how to find a breeder who prioritizes health and stable temperament.
By Tasha Mesina, Cindra Grooming Products
History
The Irish Red and White Setter developed in the 17th and 18th centuries as a bird dog, bred to locate and point upland game for hunters. Historical evidence suggests this red-and-white variety actually predates the solid-red Irish Setter that would later overshadow it, and the breed was sometimes called the Rossmore or Arran Setter after the Rossmore family, who bred red and white setters exclusively for three centuries from their County Monaghan estate.
By the late 19th century, the solid red Irish Setter became fashionable in both field and show ring, and the red and white variety declined sharply, nearing extinction by the early 1900s. Reverend Noble Huston and Dr. Elliot led revival efforts starting in the 1920s, though numbers remained small for decades. Will and Maureen Cuddy carried the work forward, and the Irish Red and White Setter Society formed in Ireland in 1944 to secure the breed's recognition as distinct from its solid-red cousin. The UKC recognized the breed in 1995, the Canadian Kennel Club in 1999, and the AKC in 2009, one of the longer paths to recognition among sporting breeds.
That history of near-loss and dedicated revival is why breed enthusiasts take the Irish Red and White Setter's preservation seriously today. Its bird-dog heritage still shows up as genuine field drive, paired with the same warm, people-oriented temperament setters are known for.
Personality and Home Fit
Irish Red and White Setters are rollicking, good-humored, and courageous, always game for an adventure as long as they're by your side. They're eager to please but carry a genuine strong-willed streak that benefits from patient, consistent training.
Best matches
- Active families or hunters who enjoy an athletic, field-capable companion
- Owners who appreciate a friendly, high-spirited personality
- People willing to commit to consistent training given the breed's stubborn streak
Common surprises
- Shorter and stockier than the Irish Setter, but with equally real exercise needs
- A determined, occasionally stubborn streak that surprises owners expecting pure eagerness to please
- Genuinely rare compared to the solid-red Irish Setter, despite predating it historically
Exercise and Enrichment
This is a true athletic bird dog, and real daily exercise is essential to a well-balanced Irish Red and White Setter.
Daily baseline ideas
- Long runs, hikes, or field time daily
- Bird dog training, field trials, or hunt tests that engage natural pointing instinct
- Retrieving games and scent work for mental engagement
- Consistent, patient obedience training alongside physical exercise
An under-exercised IRWS tends to become restless and harder to manage indoors.
Grooming an Irish Red and White Setter
The IRWS coat is fine, silky, and mostly flat, with straight (never curly or wavy) feathering on the ears, legs, and tail. Regular brushing keeps the feathering tangle-free without letting it become overly dense or puffy, which the breed standard specifically discourages.
For the full routine — brushing schedule, bathing frequency, and product recommendations for this coat type — see Grooming the Irish Red and White Setter.
Training Notes
Irish Red and White Setters are eager to please but carry real strong-willed determination, a combination best managed with consistent, patient training rather than repetition-heavy pressure.
- Use positive, motivating methods; harsh correction tends to backfire with this breed's sensitive-but-stubborn nature
- Build a reliable recall early, reinforced constantly around field distractions
- Give them a job: hunting, field trials, or structured retrieving games
- Socialize early to support their naturally friendly, outgoing temperament
Health and Longevity
Choose breeders who health test thoroughly. This is generally a healthy breed, but a few specific conditions are monitored closely.
- DNA testing for Canine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD), an immune system disorder documented in the breed
- OFA hip evaluation
- Eye examination for hereditary conditions (PRA)
- Ask to see documented CLAD, hip, thyroid and eye testing results for both parents
How to Find a Breeder
Given the breed's history of near-extinction and recent AKC recognition, expect a smaller, dedicated breeder community rather than wide availability.
Start with the right sources
- The National Parent Club's Breeder Referral Program, listed on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page
- Field trials, hunt tests, and conformation events, where you can meet working adults and breeders directly
- Breeders active in preserving the breed's original field capability alongside its history
What a good breeder can explain clearly
- Full CLAD, hip, and eye testing results for both parents
- Whether their lines lean toward field work, companionship, or both
- What daily life is really like: exercise needs, stubbornness, feathering care
- A written contract with health guarantees
Red flags that should slow you down
- No CLAD, hip, or eye testing on the parents
- Confusing this breed with the solid-red Irish Setter without clarifying the distinction
- Cannot describe the parents' temperament or stubborn streak honestly
- No connection to breed preservation efforts given the breed's history
Best real-world tip
Ask specifically about CLAD testing, since it's one of the more breed-specific health concerns tracked closely in the Irish Red and White Setter.
Given the breed's smaller numbers, expect a genuine wait and be prepared to travel for the right breeder.
The Cindra Touch
A fine, silky setter coat with feathering needs a gentle touch: heavy conditioning can leave the feathering looking overly dense or puffy, which works against the correct breed look and just adds weight without benefit.
My approach with setter-type coats is to cleanse thoroughly, condition lightly to keep the feathering straight and flowing, and brush regularly enough that tangles never get the chance to set in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Irish Red and White Setters shed a lot?
Shedding is moderate year-round. Regular brushing, especially through the feathering on the ears, legs, and tail, keeps loose hair and tangles manageable.
How often should I bathe an Irish Red and White Setter?
Every 4 to 6 weeks works for most, with more frequent brushing of the feathering in between. See the full grooming guide for product recommendations.
What shampoo is best for a silky setter coat with feathering?
Look for a shampoo that cleans thoroughly with light conditioning, since heavy products can leave feathering looking puffy rather than flowing and straight.
Compare options here: How to Choose Dog Shampoo by Coat Type.
Is this breed a good first dog?
Can work for active first-time owners who are ready for real daily exercise and consistent, patient training given the breed's strong-willed streak.
Written By
Tasha Mesina
Tasha Mesina is a professional groomer and the owner of Cindra Grooming Products. She is also a Belgian Malinois and Laekenois breeder under Element Belgians. Her work centers on coat health, correct coat behavior, and practical, honest breed guidance for owners and handlers.
