| Country of origin: | Ireland |
| Registries: | AKC FSS, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Hunter |
| Size: | 22 to 26 in tall; 40 to 70 lbs |
| Longevity: | 10 to 12 years |
| Exercise: | Daily exercise |
| Training: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Easy to moderate |
| Colors: | Red and white |
Working Irish Setters were once chestnut and white as well as solid chestnut; the latter is the more popular. Because of this, red-and-white coloured Irish Setters declined to near extinction, but in recent years this colour has been rescued. The Red-and-white can be more tentative than its chestnut cousins, and often needs extra time spent on socializing and early training. Like all deepchested dogs, it is prone to sudden, often fatal, gastric torsion, a twisting of the stomach.
On the continent, dogs that stopped and “pointed” were popular hunting aids, but in England, Scotland, and Ireland, breeds were developed to sit quietly when they scented game, waiting for the hunter to arrive. They called these specialized dogs