The Irish Setter (Irish: sotar rua, literally 'red setter') is a setter, a breed of gundog, and family dog. The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the show-bred dog recognised by the American Kennel Club as well as the field-bred Red Setter recognised by the Field Dog Stud Book. Irish Setter running in the fields. More than a dozen AKC Dual Champion Irish Setters have been made, evidence of the dog's native ability when proper traits are selectively sought in breeding.