Breed standards

Irish Red and White Setter

Breed standards are the official guidelines that describe the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential.

Last Updated: 26 Feb 2013

Kennel Club, London 1994

Group:
Group 3 (Gundogs)
History:
General:

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 Red Setters, fairly square, clean muzzle.

Eyes:

Hazel or dark brown, round, slight prominence, and without haw.

Ear:

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 the 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 not roaning permitted around face and feet and up foreleg to elbow and up hindleg to hock.

Sizes:

Not Specified.

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, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Notes:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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