It seems likely that the Irish Setter at some point in its history can be traced back to a Spaniel, possibly brought to Ireland from either Spain or Brittany, but as to how this cam about it seems impossible to positivly establish. The Irish Red and White Setter is an ancient brid dog, the breed can be traced back to the 1700 Century. Many believe the IRWS is the Forefather of the better known Irish Setter. The opinion has been expressed that the IRWS had superior noses, were more tractable, faster and more enduring in the field, easier to see while hunting, less interbred with other breeds.White predominated in their coats and the red was perferably entirly surrounded by white, creating red "islands". When solid red became the only acceptable color in the standard of the Irish Setter, the Irish Red and White Setter was almost lost.
By the turn of the century, the Irish Red and White had all but vanished.
The breeding population of the Red and White reached a dangerously low number, the Irish Red and White Setter seemed to be on the verge of being lost.
In the late 19th Century, if not for an Irish clergyman named Noble Huston of Ballynahinch, County Down, the Irish Red and White Setter may have never returned to prominence.
Rev. Noble Huston bred his bitch "Gyp" to Mr. Evatt's "Johnie" and later to Glen of Rossmore. Rossmore, a line of Irish Red and White Setters that can be traced back more than 200 years.
These litters are often identified as the begining for the return of the Irish Red and White Setter.
A group of Irish Red and White Setter enthusiasts attempted a revival of the breed in the early 1940 and in 1944 the Irish Red and White Setter Society was formed.
It is from this revival that the majority of today's dogs can be traced.
The greatest contribution to the survival of the Irish Red and White Setter, since the Rev. Houston, came from Mr. and Mrs Cuddy.
In 1940, they aquired a bitch, she was named "Judith Cunningham of Knockalla and probably every Irish Red and White Setter today is descended from her.
Mrs.Cuddy bred her last litter in 1977 and in this litter was "Harlequin of Knockalla", the dog which sparked interest in the breed in England.
The Irish Red and White Setter can be found today around the world.
