Irish Red and White Setter vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

Derived from the Rat Terrier, the American Hairless Terrier was born in a litter of Rat Terriers in 1972.

The evolution of this breed is very different from other hairless breeds. The American Hairless Terrier was independently developed when a hairless pup was produced in a litter of normal Rat Terriers. The owners of this pup, Edwin and Willie Scott attempted to breed her to other Rat terriers but were not successful in having another hairless pup until years later. Then they had a litter with one male and one female hairless puppy.

From that point on they worked with a veterinarian and a geneticist to develop the breed until it was accepted as a separate breed from the Rat Terrier in 2004 and accepted into the AKC in 2016.

The breed is very rare and with hairless dogs breeding only produces about two thirds of the litter as hairless and one third as coated. If a hairless is bred to a coated terrier, the chances of getting hairless puppies are 50% hairless and 50% coated. It is very rare to get a hairless when breed two coated terriers. The difference between the American Hairless Terrier and other hairless breeds is that the hairless gene in most breed is a lethal dominant gene, but in the AHT it is a recessive gene.

Classified as a gun dog in the UK for hunting game birds, and as a sporting dog in the USA, the Irish Red and White Setter was available with his red and white coat. Breeders however, started focusing essentially on the red variety so that the red-and-white setter all but disappeared.

Fortunately, the breed was revived and considered a separate breed from the Irish Setter. He has gained recognition with all the major kennel clubs.

The American Hairless Terrier is similar to it’s breed of origin, the Rat Terrier, and the coated AHT looks very much like a Rat Terrier. They are small to medium in size, very muscular and have more refined features than the Rat Terrier. Their round eyes can be a variety of colors including amber, brown, grey, turquoise and blue. The tail is not docked but rather long and thin.

The AHT might have eyebrows and whiskers or they might only have whiskers. Their head is broad, and wedge shaped with upright ears. They are an energetic, social and intelligent dog.

The Irish Red and White Setter is a large dog standing at between 56 – 61cm, both male and female, and weighing at around 25 to 34kg.

Always used as a gun dog for its speed and scent, its head is carried high and its long feathery tail is held out level with its back and then it ‘sets’ into a pose, giving its handler a clue where the bird is hiding.

The Irish Red and White Setter has a lean, muscled body which is well proportioned, being slightly more heavily built than the Irish Setter. He also has a broader head.

The coat is shortish but it has those long silky fringes which are known as feathering around the tail, chest and legs. The Irish Red and White Setter is red and white but you may find some freckling around the legs and muzzle. The ears are usually red and they are long, silky and floppy.

Temperament:

As gun dogs, the Irish Red and White Setter is a loyal and devoted family pet who can become a good friend of children too as they love to play. He is a lithe dog and bounding in energy, and he will therefore require a reasonably sized garden.

He will need to be trained and socialized and once trained he makes an obedient and reliable companion.

This is a curious, intelligent, little dog. They are terrific family dogs with a note to say they are better with older children than with younger. If they are raised with small children, then they are terrific with them. They are territorial, and the children become part of their territory. They will guard and protect them.

They need to play, and this is the biggest requirement for owners. Be sure you have time for them. This is not a couch potato dog. They have a lot of energy and can be destructive and “barky” if that energy is not dissipated. They are terriers through and through and love to “go to ground” whether going in holes they find or digging the holes themselves. They will go after small rodents like chipmunks. They need to be protected in these activities since their skin is vulnerable to scratches and cuts from brush. Their prey drive is strong, so it is important to protect them from themselves in this respect.

They are curious and feisty and every inch the terrier. Affectionate, friendly, and social it is also important to remember they can be scared easily, hurt if play is too rough, and this will trigger barking. They make very good watch dogs.

The Irish Red and White Setter is every bit as beautiful as the Red- or Irish Setter even though he may not be as well known.

Setter lovers are thrilled that this beautiful, playful, well tempered dog has been saved from extinction. He has plenty of stamina to be an excellent sporting dog.

He is intelligent too and easily trained. He is an affectionate, loyal, gentle, devoted family dog and he has also got good looks on his side.

Give him the right kind of food, a warm, dry place to sleep, lots of exercise and games and your love and attention, and you’ve got a friend for life.

There are not many health problems bothering this sturdy little dog.

The American Hairless Terrier has limited breeding stock and it is still a rare breed. Its health problems are mostly related to its hairless state. The breed is highly susceptible to sunburn, rashes, pimples, and allergies. They often need clothing in all seasons to protect them from the heat of the sun or from the cold. The skin must be cleaned regularly often daily with soap and water. This is especially true if sunscreen is used as they are open to skin infections.

Hip dysplasia is also a common issue for this small breed.

Chronic Allergies:

Dogs like the Setter can get chronic allergies if they’re exposed to the same food over and over again. Setters are prone to chronic allergies when exposed to a food such as soy. That is why if you’re unsure, rather speak to a dog expert about what to feed a Setter and what to avoid.

Heart Disease:

Feed your Setter foods rich in taurine to avoid heart disease. Taurine is found in chicken and red meat. You can see how important the right food is for your setter as the wrong food can cause a host of illnesses.

The American Hairless Terrier has some food needs that might be different from other breeds. They should not be given food that contains soy, wheat or corn. They need to be fed at least 3-4 times a day in small amounts as puppies and twice a day as adult. Be sure to avoid overeating and obesity. Puppies need about 400 calories a day whether you feed four times or two times. The adult American Hairless Terrier needs about 500-600 calories per day. This might be half a cup to a cup per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American Hairless Terrier has skin health issues and is also prone to hip dysplasia.

Exercise and games

This is a great breed for games if you make them small to match his size. He is energetic, athletic and playful. He loves agility, lure chasing and barn hunt activities. They need a good half hour of vigorous exercise per day.

Grooming:

Grooming your beautiful Irish Red and White Setter isn’t going to be a difficult task, and a good brush twice a week will ensure he stays looking his best.

Because he has long ears, these should be checked, especially if the dog loves to swim. Water, dust, debris and wax can build up and cause an ear infection.

His nails will also need to be trimmed if they get too long and don’t naturally wear down.

Exercise:

This is a beautiful dog that offers ruggedness and endurance, and essentially he needs to be a country dog or live in a home where there is a good sized garden. He loves being on the go, and is a dog that will gladly join you on your hikes, cycling trips or swimming – you can count him in.

Diet:

Irish Red and White Setters are an active breed and are naturally lean and lithe, being fast runners. Make sure to give them the right food so that they maintain this muscle mass.

If in any doubt, speak to your vet to find out what is essential for a dog like this. Protein for instance is vitally important as are fats. These dogs need high amounts of energy. Vitamins and minerals are also very important for keeping a dog healthy and strong.

Try and include some nutritious home-made food into his kibble such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables as well as some raw meat occasionally. These dogs can develop horrible skin allergies if they don’t get in some raw meat from time to time.

Fresh, cool water should be constantly available to your pet.