The Irish Setter had a solid reputation as a solid hunting dog just 100 years ago. Unfortunately, subsequent breeding evolution has adapted this breed more towards shows than hunting activities. The result has been a decline in quality as a hunting dog, which is unfortunate for all athletes. In the past, this dog was known to be a versatile and hardy artist that was widely used in the Midwest to track ducks, geese, and more in the late 1800s.

There are a number of unique characteristics of the Irish setter compared to English setters:

1. The dog will tend to be slightly taller and slimmer than the English Setter. They will also be lighter on bone.

2. These dogs will also lack the roundness in the rib cage area that other setters have. This translates into less resistance in the field.

3. Although the head size is approximately the same for these two breeds, the Irish breed is likely to be a bit longer and narrower. Their ears may also be slightly lower on the head than their English counterpart.

4. These dogs will also tend to be slightly lighter because they are less muscled and lighter on the bone even though they are taller.

5. These dogs have a deep red color to their coat, which is beautiful but can be difficult to see in the field. The result is that many hunters will opt for other more conspicuous colored dogs.

6. These dogs also have a silkier coat which can be a problem in the field to pick up extra burrs.

Unfortunately, at the moment, Irish setters are not on par with their English counterparts. There have been some attempts by breeders to reverse the shift to their hunting past, but at this time these dogs are best suited for show competitions.