THE IRISH RED SETTER BREED STANDARD
Adopted by the National Red Setter Field Trial Club 2005
1. As Irish red setters were originally bred as partridge and grouse dogs,
their style of hunting these birds may be taken as the norm. Primary focus
of the breed standard shall be upon the performance of the animal while
hunting wild or native game birds.
2. Irish red setters are, first and foremost, bird dogs. In their quest there
must be an intensity that gives purpose to the hunt for game. The
concentration on the job at hand should be evident in every stride and
movement, and they shall exhibit the style and class as befits a quality
American bird dog. The cooperation with the handler is part of that
concentration and should not interfere with the quest for game, but rather
should exhibit a behavior that is best described as a team effort between
canine and human. They shall have a keen and intelligent mind, and be
especially adept at handling wild birds intelligently under native conditions.
3. Irish red setters are fast and wide ranging; they use the ground with
intelligence and precision in pursuit of game, searching the wind for the
faintest scent. Should it be not detected, they continue their cast with
urgency, without wasteful application or motion. The depths between casts
are dictated by the conditions of the day and the terrain. Movement shall
be free flowing and driving, with head held high and hindquarters driving
smoothly with great power, as befits a racy, wide ranging bird dog. In the
manner of stylish bird dogs, the tail shall demonstrate the dog’s intensity of
hunt. This “cracking” tail shall be an extension of the animal’s intensity and
animation in its quest for game.
4. The attitude of the Irish red setter in working game must be very intense
and concentrated. The pointing stance is intense and rigid, full of energy
and concentration. The body posture is staunch, with head, forequarters
and hindquarters held well up, the eyes fierce, the tail rigid and bristling
with the passion of the find.
5. The general appearance of the Irish red setter shall be racy, classy, and
kindly in expression. The head shall be long and lean, and without
coarseness. The skull shall be oval (from ear to ear), having plenty of brain
room, and with well-defined occipital protuberance. The stop shall be well-
defined. The color of the nose shall be dark mahogany, dark walnut or
black, the nostrils wide. The muzzle shall be moderately deep and fairly
square at the end. From the stop to the point of the nose shall be long, and
the flews not pendulous. The brows shall be raised. The jaws shall be nearly
equal length with a scissors bite, and all expected canine teeth shall be
present. The eyes shall be dark hazel or dark brown and not overly large,
with no evidence of ectropic or entropic lids. Ears shall be of moderate size,
fine in texture, set ranging from low to moderately high and well back,
hanging in a neat fold close to the head. The body shall be proportionate to
the size of the dog. The chest shall be as deep as possible, with ribs well
sprung, leaving plenty of lung room. Feet shall be well proportioned to the
body, very firm, toes strong, arched and close together. The loins shall be
muscular and slightly arched. The hindquarters shall be wide and powerful.
Male animals shall have two apparently normal testicles, fully descended
into the scrotum. The tail shall be of moderate length, proportionate to the
size of the body, strong at the root, tapering to a fine point, carried with a
high carriage, ideally at a 12 o’clock position, but without excessive
curvature or reflection over the back regardless. The coat shall be short
and fine on the head, back, front of legs and tips of ears; on other parts of
the body and legs of moderate length, flat, and free of curl and wave. The
belly and chest shall have a good covering of hair to protect during hunting
in heavy cover. Feathering may be present on the ears, back of legs, and
tail. Feet are well feathered between toes. The coat color is a rich golden
chestnut with no trace of black, but may vary from a dark mahogany to a
red; white color may also be present, provided the chestnut color accounts
for the majority of body color overall. The foregoing conformational traits
of the breed are described only with the intent that such traits shall be
supportive of performance as a bird dog.
Rev. 11/2005 NRSFTC Board of Directors