We want to know everything about dogs. Everything! But there are countless breeds of dog out there, and each one is a unique animal with its own history. That's why we're taking each breed one by one. Here are some fun facts about Irish Setters.
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Irish Setters weren't always all red
Irish setters are well-known for their solid red coats, but that wasn't always the case. Originally bred for hunting, their owners once preferred Irish setters to be red and white, because that color pattern made the dogs easier to see in the field. As the breed appeared more and more often in shows rather than on the hunt, solid-red dogs became more fashionable.
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Irish Setters mature more slowly than other dog breeds
Irish setters are notably slow to mature, which means that their physical growth normally outpaces their behavioral development. The result is young, full-grown dogs that still possess a healthy amount of "puppy energy." Over time, Irish setters mature into intelligent dogs, although they often maintain stubborn streaks.
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Show Irish Setters are distinct from field Irish Setters
Though one breed, Irish setters that compete in dog shows are often distinguished from those used for hunting. Show dogs are typically larger and heavier with thicker, more lustrous coats. Gun dogs are smaller and sleeker to facilitate agility in the field.
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The first champion Irish Setter in the U.S. was a dog named Elcho
Charles H. Turner brought an Irish Setter named Elcho to America in 1870, just as stateside interest in the breed was beginning. In 1876, Elcho became the first Irish Setter to win a championship in the U.S. He sired 197 puppies and was integral in the establishment of the breed in the country.
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An Irish bus company uses the Irish Setter as its mascot and logo
America has its Greyhound Lines and accompanying Greyhound logo, while Ireland has Bus Eireann (Irish Bus), which features an Irish Setter mascot. According to Bus Eireann, its canine logo represents the "friendly, reliable and fast way in which the company aims to serve its customers."
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Multiple U.S. presidents owned Irish Setters
At least three American presidents are known to have owned Irish Setters during their tenures in the White House. Harry Truman owned one named Mike. Ronald Reagan had one named Peggy. But arguably the most famous White House Irish Setter was Richard Nixon's beloved King Timahoe, or Tim for short. He was one of several dogs of various breeds the Nixon family owned.
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Cesar Millan's first dog was an Irish Setter
"Dog whisperer" Cesar Millan is known for working with his two pit bulls, the late Daddy, and Junior. But the first dog he ever owned was an Irish Setter. A doctor neighbor of Millan's owned an Irish Setter, and gave Millan a puppy from the dog's litter. Millan named the pup Saluki.
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Pace University's Mascot is an Irish Setter
Pace University's various athletic teams are known as the Setters. Granted, that catch-all terms encompasses several dog breeds, including Irish Setters, English Setters, Gordon Setters and red-and-white setters. That said, the school's solid-red canine mascot, T-Bone, is clearly a setter of the Irish variety.
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One of the Beach Boys Owned an Irish Setter That Inspired a Hit Song
During the band's heyday, the late Beach Boys guitarist/singer Carl Wilson owned an Irish Setter named Shannon. Shannon died in the mid-1970s. Soon after, singer-songwriter Henry Gross penned the song "Shannon" about the dog's death. "Shannon" was a hit single for Gross, and went gold in the U.S. and Canada.
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The Disney movie 'Big Red' is about an Irish Setter
In the '60s, Disney produced several popular live-action animal adventures like "The Incredible Journey" and "Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar." One of these movies, "Big Red," is about a wild-hearted Irish Setter (the titular Big Red) who rebels against the show-dog lifestyle his owner wants for him. Big Red befriends a young boy who understands the dog's independent spirit.
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