When trying to select a dog to act as their emotional support animal (ESA), people often find the entire search and process to be somewhat taxing and difficult. After all, how can you know what breed of dog will be most compatible with your personality, interests, disabilities, and general lifestyle? It can even be tempting to give up on the idea altogether, but we’re here to help!
If this situation sounds familiar to you, then it might be a good idea to read about the Irish Red and White Setter and decide if this breed might finally be the solution to finding the right ESA for you!
Basic Description of the Irish Red and White Setter
Known for their size, stamina, and natural skill at bird hunting, the Irish Red and White Setter is quite a sight to see. These dogs are as strong as they are sturdy with a medium-to-large physical build. They are generally 22-26 inches tall, and they usually weigh 35-60 pounds. One of the physical features that immediately stands out with this breed is its beautiful red and white coat, which has historically served a useful purpose in making the dog easy to spot when hunting for birds.
Another notable trait found in this dog that any owner can attest to is their grit and determination, which is rivaled by few other breeds. Members of this breed have a courage and a sense of duty that has made them wonderful hunting dogs over the years and led to a stellar reputation. There is no question when it comes to this breed’s power or ability to get the job done even in tough circumstances and when facing unforeseen obstacles.
To keep it short and sweet, if you’re looking for a strong, capable breed that will serve you each day with loyally and dedication, it doesn’t get much better than the Irish Red and White Setter!
History of the Breed
The history of the Irish Red and White Setter is almost as colorful as the dog’s coat itself. Predating the more well-known Irish Setter, this breed is generally believed to have originated sometime in the middle of the 17th century, although there’s evidence of breeds with similar characteristics existing earlier than this. While their coat made them a favorite for hunters, they were almost made extinct by the demand for hunting dogs with purely red coats.
While World War I almost finished the breed for good, they were eventually saved and repopulated through the noble efforts of several enthusiasts, and they expanded greatly in their population size. The breed was then transported across Europe as it rapidly gained new intrigued owners and buyers. They were imported into the USA in the 1960’s and continued to grow in number over the decades.
In 2009, the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and lives on with several very dedicated owners and admirers. It’s not hard to see why the Red and White Setter has come across such popular interest after looking at all the events that have brought it to us!
Health and Nutrition
The typical Irish Red and White Setter is a very healthy dog, and there is usually not a lot to be concerned about regarding their physical health. However, as with any breed, there are illnesses and conditions that have been associated with these dogs that owners should keep a close watch for. Particularly, you’ll want to look out for symptoms of cataracts, retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, issues related to blood clotting, immune disorders, and hip dysplasia. If you notice signs of any of those health problems in your Red and White Setter, you should seek veterinarian care as soon as possible.
Nutritionally, this breed does best on a regular source of high-quality dog food that is adjusted according to how active the specific dog is and the energy needs involved. As a rule, it’s recommended to only give treats and scraps sparingly and to maintain a consistent, well-monitored diet to the greatest extent possible. Luckily, the Red and White Setter doesn’t usually have any major concerns with diet, though this will, of course, depend on the individual dog.
Training and Exercise
This dog has a seemingly inexhaustible abundance of energy, which can be both positive and negative depending on your situation. For training, this can be problematic as the dog might get bored quickly and want to move on to something else. Because of this, it can be a good idea to go for shorter bursts of high-energy training rather than long, steady periods. That said, this breed is highly intelligent and extremely receptive to praise, so you shouldn’t have any difficulties with training once you’ve found the right rhythm.
Due to their high energy levels, regular exercise is an absolute necessity with this breed. One way to make this a little more fun is to combine training and exercise by using this time to teach your dog tricks and games. This can also act as a neat little way to for your dog to interact and impress friends and family when they come over to visit.
Would an Irish Red and White Setter Make a Good ESA?
There are many different questions that go into whether a specific breed of dog would make a good ESA and the main determination is dependent on your personality, disability needs, and lifestyle. However, there’s no reason to think that an Irish Red and White Setter wouldn’t make a great ESA for a lot of people.
Their intelligence makes them easy to train for commands and interactions with other dogs and people while their personality traits of loyalty and determination can suit the role of an emotional support animal perfectly. Try gaining some familiarity with this breed and see how well one of these dogs would fit into your life and complement the role you need to be filled by your support animal. After all, the best person to decide if this dog would be a good match for what you need is you.
How to Register Your ESA
Once you’ve finally found the right dog to be your ESA, you’ll probably find that you have some concerns and questions about all the different factors and aspects that go into registering an ESA. But, learning about ESA registration doesn’t have to be a headache! Here are some basic facts to help you out as you move forward with this process.
Eligibility for an ESA
Many people who research this topic find that their first question is if they themselves are even eligible for an ESA or service animal. In this case, there is a very simple and easy-to-digest answer: Anyone with an emotional or physical disability that prevents them from being able to fully function daily is eligible for a service animal. Several disabilities are included in this definition from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to anxiety to depression and others.
The Registration Process
Registering your ESA can be a very simple, easy, and straightforward process! Try taking a look at all the information on our registration page as all the services and products you might need are laid out plainly. Some services you’ll find on this list include (but are certainly not limited to) discounts for doctors found in our network, personal and ESA information that is printed on an ID tag for your support animal, and a card that gives you a rundown of your legal rights as someone who has a disability and an emotional support animal.
In plain English, we will handle the more messy and complicated paperwork matters so that you don’t have to worry about them at all along the way!