His history    Distinctive signs    his standard
The Irish setter is a gundog, classified in the group 7 (bird-dogs) of the FCI classification (Fédération Cynologique Internationale).  

His History: 
Originally, the Irish setter was a spaniel, descended from the continental spaniel. His evolution (improvement by a rigourous selection and crossing with the English setter, the springer spaniel and the pointer) in not different from the one of bird-dogs.
Gundogs breeding interests since still the whole Europe. The distinction between track-dog and bird-dog begins to take form at the falconry age (around 1200). In England, one used dogs with two different hunt styles. The first ones slipped impetuously through covers and brambles and had to force and make take off the game: they were forebears of spanelses.
The second ones were also used in the falconry, but they were more appreciated in hunt to the net: as soon as they knew the game was there, these dogs flattened then to soil stayed immobile to facilitate the lanching of the net on birds. This is how the setter was born and became a bird-dog.
But the modern history of the race only begins at the beginning of the 19th century. It existed two models of the Irish setter then: the plain red and the bicolored white and red (the original Irish setter is the white and red one).
Since 1812, the selection confirmed itself in favor of the ‘all red’ and determined the future of the race. The white and red Irish setter, a lot rarer, has been officially reconized however by the FCI in 1989.
His morphology is different; he is more rustic and enduring.
On the continent, Mr.  & Mrs. Vervenne, reputed Belgian breeders under the affix ‘Exclusive’s’, have introduced him lately.  

Distinctive signs: The Irish setter is a thoroughbred, which thanks to the selection could preserve his qualities of origin, thank to the selection achieved by breeders on basis of a very rigourous standard established by the FCI.
Due to his original qualities, the Irish setter is a marvelous hunter and a sport-dog, pleinty of fancy. He is however one of the best versatile dog. He will make a marvelous dog of company if the future master, even non-hunter, gives him the possibility to unwind.
Because this impetuous, enterprising dog, full of vitality must get tired and must run to maximum to preserve his balance. In short, he needs to have an active master. Nothing will be for him more beneficial than the long jaunts in your company.
He has the Celtic, passionate and fanciful soul. With him, one gets bored never!
Sensitive, receptive and full of good will, the ‘red devil’ worships his master. To such a point that you just cant’t shake him off!
Sentimental, he doesn’t support indifference. He needs caresses and his master’s presence. Naturally sociable, the Irish can go everywhere with you. In the family, he likes everybody, but he chooses his master. He prefers the one who can ‘discuss’ with him, to impose a certain discipline. Because he needs to be taken in hands, a basic canine education in indispensable to master this untiring galloper.
The Irish setter is on good relation with children: he immediately feels in affinity with them. He participates gladly in all games, not missing a good opportunity to have fun.
With unknows, he appears in general hospitable and understanding. For him, eveybody is worthy of a good welcome. With his fellows, he appears in the ame way, naturally agreable.
This is not therefore a watchdog!
Undoubtedly, the Irish setter has a remarkable character where prettiness and loyalty, will and self-control, quietness and fantasy are well balanced.
Without speaking of his joy of living, his shrewdness and his beauty.

You will understand you‘ll soon be in love with your Irish setter.  

His standard

FCI - Standard No. 120 / 02. 04. 2001  / GB            IRISH RED SETTER

 DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID  STANDARD : 13.03.2001.

 UTILIZATION: Gun dog and family dog.

 CLASSIFICATION FCI : Group    7   Pointing Dogs.  Section   2   British and Irish Pointers and Setters. With working trial.

 BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Irish Red Setter was developed in Ireland as a working dog for hunting game.  The breed is derived from the Irish Red and White Setter and an unknown solid red coloured dog.  It was a clearly identifiable type in the 18^th century.  The Irish Red Setter Club was established in 1882 to promote the Breed.  The club issued the Breed Standard in 1886, and has organised field trials and shows to set the Standard for the Breed since that time.  In 1998 the club published the working style for the breed.  The standard and working style together describes the physical form and working ability of the breed.

The Irish Red Setter has evolved down the years into a hardy, healthy, intelligent dog, possessed of excellent working ability and great stamina.

 GENERAL APPEARANCE :            Racy and athletic full of quality, kindly in expression.  Balanced and in proportion.

 BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT: Keen, intelligent, energetic, affectionate and loyal.

 HEAD :  Long and lean, and not coarse at the ears. Muzzle and skull of equal length and on parallel lines.

 CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Oval (from ear to ear), having plenty of brain room, and with well defined occipital protuberance.  Brows raised.

Stop : Well defined.

 FACIAL REGION:

Nose : The colour of the nose is dark mahogany, or dark walnut or black, the  nostrils wide.

Muzzle :  Moderately deep and fairly square at the end. From the stop to point of nose, long, flews not pendulous.

Jaws : Jaws of nearly equal length. 

Teeth : Scissors bite.

Eyes : Dark hazel or dark brown ought not to be too large.

Ears : Of moderate size, fine in texture, set low and well back, hanging in a neat fold close to head.

 NECK : Moderately long, very muscular, not too thick, slightly arched, no tendency to throatiness.

 BODY:  Proportionate to size of dog.

Chest : Deep chest, rather narrow in front, ribs well sprung, leaving plenty of lung room.

Loins : Muscular and slightly arched.

 TAIL: Moderate length, proportionate to size of body, set on rather low, strong at root, tapering to fine point.  Carried level with or below back.

 LIMBS

 FOREQUARTERS

Shoulders : Fine at the point, deep and sloping well back.

Elbows : Free and well let down, not turned in or out.

Forelegs :  Straight and sinewy, well boned.

 HINDQUARTERSWide and powerful.

Hindlegs: Long and muscular from hip to hock; from hock to heel short and strong.

Stifle: Well bent

Hocks:  turned neither in or out.

.FEET  Small, very firm, toes strong, arched and close together.

 GAIT/MOVEMENT:            Free flowing, driving movement; head held high. Forelegs reaching well ahead but carried low.  Hindquarters drive smoothly with great power.  Crossing or weaving of legs unacceptable.

 COAT

 HAIR: On head, front of legs, and tips of ears, short and fine; on other parts of body and legs moderate length, flat and as free as possible from curl or wave.  Feather on upper portion of ears long and silky; on back of fore and hind legs long and fine; fair amount of hair on belly, forming fringe which may extend onto chest and throat.  Feet well feathered between toes.  Tail having fringe of moderately long hair, decreasing in length as it approaches the point. All feathering straight and flat.

 COLOUR: Rich chestnut with no trace of black; white on chest, throat, and toes; or small star on forehead or narrow streak or blaze on nose or face not to disqualify.

 SIZE :

Height at withers : Males   23   ins (58 cm) to 26.5 ins (67 cm).

                            Female 21.5 ins (55 cm) to 24.5 ins (62 cm).

 FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

 NOTE: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.