Irish Red & White Setter
The Irish Red & White Setter is the older of Ireland's two setters and came within a few dogs of extinction in the early twentieth century, before a determined revival led largely…
About the Irish Red & White Setter
The Irish Red & White Setter is the older of Ireland's two setters and came within a few dogs of extinction in the early twentieth century, before a determined revival led largely by clergy and farming families brought it back. It has always been kept as a shooting dog first, and its numbers today remain modest.
The colour is the point: clearly broken patches of solid red on a pearl-white ground, with flecking permitted on legs and muzzle but no roaning of the body. Dogs stand about 62 to 66 cm and are stronger and less racy in build than the solid red setter, with a good coat and moderate feathering. Working ability is largely intact across the breed, and most studs can still do the job.
The DNA test for canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency is essential here and no stud owner will be surprised to be asked for it. Posterior polar cataract is watched in the breed, so an annual eye examination is the way to keep track of it, and hip scores belong on the list as well. Given how few founders the revival had, ask the owner to talk you through the pedigree and the relatedness of the pair rather than just the certificates.
Health & breeding
We check every hip, elbow, eye and DNA result you give us against the Royal Kennel Club’s public records by hand, and we record who checked it and when. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Breed Right’s summary — under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard
Health tests for the Irish Red & White Setter
This panel is Breed Right’s summary of the testing that matters for the breed under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard. The Health Standard is the Royal Kennel Club’s guidance for breeders, not a registration rule. It describes tests to ask about — it is not a report on any individual dog. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Best Practice — further tests it recommends
Completing these as well as the Good Practice tests is what the Royal Kennel Club calls Best Practice.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA test — CLAD (Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| Hip score (BVA/KC) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC | Total of both hips, 0–106. Lower is better. |
| Eye testing (BVA/KC/ISDS) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC/ISDS | Result printed on the eye certificate. |
Breed hip median
Breed median 8 (BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme breed statistics 2025 — 5 years, 66 dogs scored). Lower is better. Source · How hip scores work
At stud now
Irish Red & White Setter stud dogs
No Irish Red & White Setter studs are listed right now
When an Irish Red & White Setter on the Royal Kennel Club Breed Register is listed at stud, it will appear here.
Also available
Irish Red & White Setter litters
No Irish Red & White Setter litters are listed right now
Litters appear here as breeders list them. Check back soon, or browse other breeds.
