History of the Irish Red & White Setter

The Irish Setter probably came into its own at the end of the 17th century. The original purpose of the Irish Red and White Setter (IRWS) was their use as a versatile hunting dog whose main function was to provide food for the table which included fur and feather. These valuable hunting dogs had to be swift, strong and agile in order to spend many hours hunting the rugged terrain of Ireland.

It was not well known outside of Ireland that there were two breeds of Irish Setters. What survived of the Red and White Setter through time, are several paintings and a few written descriptions from the 17th and 18th centuries that attest to the presence of the white "Setting Dogues" with red markings.

It is fairly certain however, that the Red and White Setter is the older of the two and that selective and judicious breeding evolved the solid red color currently known as the Irish Setter. When Irish Setters came to the show benches, just past the middle of the 19th century, there was a good deal of confusion about their proper color. By the end of the 19th century the Red Setter had virtually eclipsed the Red and White, which became so rare that they where thought to be extinct. However, the Red and White Setter continued in favor with hunters until WWI, as evidenced by the use of their images in advertising items.

During the 1920s, efforts were made to revive the Irish Red and White Setter. The Rev. Noble Huston's of Ballynahinch, County Down, worked in gathering the Red and Whites available and recording pedigrees from as far back as approximately 1790. With the aid of his cousin Dr. Elliott he was able to bring the breed back. The next important players were Mr. and Mrs. Will Cuddy. All historical data was compiled and preserved by Mrs. Maureen Cuddy from Midleton, County, Cork. Between WWI and the 1980's the Irish slowly built up the numbers of what was officially known as the Irish Red and White Setter. Mrs. Cuddy's hard work and dedication to the breed resulted the breed being re-established well enough to have a club of it's own by 1944. The breed then spread to England. In 1978 the breed was separately classified and given championship status by the Irish Kennel Club and today can be seen in healthy numbers at Irish shows and Field Trials.

In the 1960's a few dogs were imported to the United States and again in the 1980's, resulting in a gradual increase in the IRWS population. The Irish Red and White Setter is still considered an excellent hunting dog, either as a personal hunting companion or when competing in pointing breed field events.