What was the Irish Setter first bred for?

Answer 1

The Irish Setter was developed from mixing the Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, English Setter, Pointer, and the Gordon Setter. It was originally called the Irish Red Setter in the United States. At one time the Irish Setter was a red & white dog with shorter legs than today's breed. The shorter legs were most likely bred in to help the dogs "set" the game. They would crouch down low near the bird so that the hunter could walk over and toss a net over the pray and the dog. In the 19th century selective breeding produced a dog with a pure chestnut red coat and the white was bred out of the breed. It is probably older then the English Setter. The English and Irish Setters are both ancestors of the Spanish Pointer. The Irish Setter is an all purpose hunting dog, both a pointer and retriever in all types of terrains. They are especially good for hunting game birds. They have excellent noses and are very fast. When the Irish Setter finds his game he runs quickly back and forth in front of the hunter in order to alert him. Over the years many breeders have started breeding more for looks rather than the dogs hunting ability. The Irish Setter's talents include hunting, tracking, retrieving, pointing, watchdog, agility and competitive obedience.