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. Some Irish Setters may have problems with cats in the house, and may be too rambunctious with small children. It would be incorrect to assume the dog described above in any way resembles the Irish Setter (or any setter) as we know the breed today. Caius was referring to a type of setting spaniel, most likely now extinct. Of this early dog, Caius went on to write: 'The most part of theyre skinnes are white, and if they are marcked with any spottes, they are commonly red, and somewhat great therewithall.' If this is the case, it is safe to assume the solid red colouring of today's Irish Setter came about by selective breeding practices.
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