Are Irish Setters Good Hunting Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Irish Setters were originally bred as ace hunting dogs in their namesake country, and today they continue to be popular sporting dogs

. They also make excellent family dogs, beloved for their infectious joyfulness and friendly temperament.

Are Setters hunting dogs?

English Setters are

exceptional bird hunters

and boisterous, amiable company. Like all setters, they are named for the distinctive crouching stance—known as ‘setting’—that they take on the hunt.

Can an Irish Setter protect you?

Irish Setters are outgoing and love people.

They aren’t really guard dogs, although they’ve been known to step in and protect their people as needed

. They are, however, excellent watchdogs and will bark to let you know of visitors or intruders.

Are Irish Setter good dogs?

Irish Setters are

among the most popular family pets

and for good reason: they’re affectionate, sweet, and outgoing. With their rollicking enthusiasm, they make excellent playmates for children, and their love for the family is unbounded. Even in quieter moments, this breed is right by your side.

What is the best hunting dog?

  • Labrador Retriever. Ranked the most popular dog breed by the AKC for two straight decades, the Labrador is an effective bird dog due to its “soft mouth”, a trait common in retrievers and setters. …
  • Golden Retriever. …
  • Beagle. …
  • Irish Setter. …
  • Bloodhound. …
  • Weimaraner. …
  • German Short-haired Pointer.

What is the smartest breed of dog?

  • Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man. …
  • Poodle. …
  • German shepherd. …
  • Golden retriever. …
  • Doberman pinscher. …
  • Shetland sheepdog. …
  • Labrador retriever. …
  • Papillon.

What is the best setter dog?

If you’re seeking an active canine companion, an adept hunting dog, or a loyal family pet, consider a setter breed. The

Irish setter, Gordon setter, English setter, and Irish red and white setter

are four outstanding dogs that thrive in the field and at home.

Do Setters make good family pets?

Care requirements. English Setters are intensely friendly by nature. Well mannered with other dogs, and loyal and affectionate by disposition,

this breed is ideal as a companion for adults and children

.

Are English setters good dogs?

The English setter is

a gentle, friendly, placid dog that is especially good with children

. He is mild-mannered and sensitive and loves to both give and receive affection. These dogs are known to be alert and protective of their families and territories, but will calm down quickly when told to.

How much do Irish Setter puppies cost?

These pups are normally priced at

$800-$1,200

from reputable breeders. Pups at this price are considered high-quality and bred to be show dogs. If you aren’t in the market for a show dog quality Irish Setter, costs lower quite a bit. You can expect to pay $500-$700 for pups of this quality.

Do Irish doodles bark a lot?


Usually, Irish doodle owners don’t have to deal with endless barking

. Although the dog gets serious smarts from their Poodle parentage, and an instinct to hunt from both parents, they don’t tend to express these traits through barking.

How many types of Setter dogs are there?

Representative species

Are Irish Setters high energy dogs?

Like many large and athletic dogs, they can be bouncy and boisterous. However, as they age, the Irish Setter becomes a calm and dignified companion. They’ll always be up for a game, though!

These dogs are high energy

, and require adequate exercise to stay happy and fit.

How popular is the Irish Setter breed?

The Irish Setter is a gorgeous dog to look at, and a well-rounded gun dog for hunting that is good with children as well. Still, it’s not all that common, ranking at

No. 77 in the American Kennel Club’s most recent rankings

(see the most popular dogs of 2018 here).

What are Irish Setters good for?

Irish Setters were originally bred as ace hunting dogs in their namesake country, and today they continue to be popular sporting dogs. They also make

excellent family dogs, beloved for their infectious joyfulness and friendly temperament

. This breed will greet everyone as a long-lost friend.

What is the calmest hunting dog?


Labrador Retriever

Labradors are often considered best for duck hunting. When not on the hunt, Labs make an excellent companion and family dog thanks to their friendliness and willingness to please.

Do hunting dogs make good pets?


Traditional hunting breeds can also make great family dogs

, because they tend to be intelligent, sociable, and loyal. But they were not bred to be couch potatoes, so make sure these dogs get plenty of exercise!

What makes a good hunting dog?

  • Eager to Please. First and foremost, a good hunting dog should be eager to please its owner and obedient. …
  • Smelling and Tracking Ability. …
  • Stamina and Running Shape. …
  • Retrieving and Soft Mouth. …
  • Swimming. …
  • Work Ethic. …
  • Evident Emotion. …
  • Intelligence.

What is the stupidest breed of dog?

  1. Afghan Hound. The Afghan Hound is the “dumbest” dog. …
  2. Basenji. Basenjis also make the list of dumbest dog breeds. …
  3. Bulldog. Bulldogs are known for their stubbornness. …
  4. Chow Chow. Chow Chows can also be difficult to train. …
  5. Borzoi. …
  6. Bloodhound. …
  7. Pekingese. …
  8. Beagle.

What is the most loyal dog?

  • #8: Yorkshire Terrier. …
  • #7: Dobermann Pinscher. …
  • #6: German Shepherd. …
  • #5: Golden Retriever. …
  • #4: Staffordshire Bull Terrier. …
  • #3: Labrador Retriever. …
  • #2: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. …
  • #1: Xoloitzcuintli.

What is the hardest dog to train?

  1. Beagles. A Beagle has a nose for everything – literally. …
  2. Rottweiler. This one is a bit controversial, but here’s the breakdown on this breed. …
  3. Siberian Husky. Most people would agree that a Siberian Husky is a gorgeous dog. …
  4. Basset Hound. …
  5. Chinese Shar-Pei. …
  6. Afghan Hound.

What do setter dogs do?

Function. A setter

silently searches for game by scent; hunting is done systematically and methodically

. When prey is encountered, the dog becomes motionless rather than chasing after the game. Setters get their name from their distinctive stance; a sort of crouch or “set” upon finding their quarry.

What are setter dogs used for?

setter, any of three breeds of sporting dogs used in

pointing game birds

. Setters are derived from a medieval hunting dog, the setting spaniel, that was trained to find birds and then to set (i.e., crouch or lie down) so that a net could be thrown over both the birds and the dog.

What’s the difference between a red setter and an Irish Setter?

Although they are registered as Irish Setters, most persons with even limited observation of show Irish and field-bred dogs can easily spot the difference:

Red setters are much smaller in stature, stockier and broader, more barrel-shaped through the body, not as deep in chest, shorter in neck and leg

.

Are Irish Setters loyal?


She is a tireless, enthusiastic, and loyal hunting dog

. With proper exercise and socialization she makes an affectionate and calm family companion. The Irish Setter originated in Ireland during the 18th century.

What is the average life expectancy of an English Setter?

10 – 12 years

What’s the difference between an Irish Setter and a Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever is the 4

th

most popular breed and the Irish Setter is 77

th

on the AKC’s 2020 most popular breeds chart. Two key differences between Irish Setters and Golden Retrievers are their energy and size.

Irish Setters are a little taller and lankier than Golden Retrievers and have a little more energy

.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.