are red setters suitable with small dogs?

Question

i have two mini smooth dachshunds both over 2 years old and my husband is thinking of getting a irsh red setter i am worried has to whether they would get on ok will the setter be too bouncy as we are hoping to get an adult over 3 years old should anybody have any advice thanks

Answer 1

I'm now on my fourth Irish Setter ... they've all had different personalities however they've all had one thing in common - not a single one has had an ounce of vice in her.

My current one, Tilly, shares her home with several cats & kittens (as I breed Bengals) ... she curls up in her bed (& on mine) with cats & kittens snuggled around her. Yes, Tilly in happy mode can be bouncy & playful but she's yet to hurt even the smallest kitten in her charges up & down the stairs, letting off steam. Oh dear, that sounds dreadful ... vision of manic setter thudding upstairs ... it's not that bad really, it just means that it's time we went out for a walk ... it's her way of hinting.

Our third one, Tara's favourite playmate was my son's friend's Yorkshire Terrier - they'd play chase together & sit together quite happily.

I would however check out the personality of the adult over three years that you hope to get. We rescued our second Irish Setter, Boozy ... she was younger at 20 months & extremely hyper. I think that her previous owners had been unable to cope with her excessive happiness & energy. Our first Irish Setter was about 22 months & a steady, wonderful girl - brilliant with people, other dogs & my 18mth old. Introducing a scatty 20 month old into the household was just a little fraught. She charged everywhere & I worried about my toddler being knocked over, our existing dog went very quiet because of this rowdy intruder ... the worse day came when I just couldn't stop her leaping over the sofa! This was about a week after we'd got her. I eventually caught her, clipped a lead on her, forced her to lie down & sat in a chair beside her, holding onto the lead & cried. Makes me sound pathetic ... but this the sofa leaping was probably the final straw in a long list of trangressions. Didn't think I'd ever cope & gave her seven days for improvement before she had to go back to the shelter. Oddly enough, it was as if she knew how upset I was & decided to back off from being the alpha dog. She started responding to commands, calmed down & grew into a wonderful companion. (Forgot the most important thing ... in all this mania filled seven days she never once hurt my son or, though it was a big fear of mine, ever knocked him over)

I hasten to add that not all rescue dogs are like that - talking to other people I've come to understand that she was the exception & not the norm.

The Irish Setter Rescue organisation in the UK generally check the dogs out & assess their personalities & will want to talk to you about your home life, etc. before rehoming one of their Setters - I think that they will do their best to ensure that the personality of the dog is suitable for you - after all, they are looking for forever homes for their charges. (We didn't go through the Irish Setter Rescue .... not that I regret it now - though I did at the time)

http://www.irishsetter.org.uk/BreedClubs/IrishSetterRescueGroup/isrg5dogsavailable.htm

http://www.isbc.org.uk/rescue1.htm

However, I'm not sure they have anything suitable for you at the moment - but at least you can see how they describe & assess the dogs needing rehoming - maybe you could contact them & ask their advice too?

I think it's a shame that they don't rehome dogs in same sex homes ... because I'm so taken with Poppy - she looks much like Tara - but I expect would behave much like Boozy! lol

Answer 2

Red Setters are indeed very bouncy and energetic and a bit crazy. If you are intending to get an adult over 3 years then I strongly advise introducing all the dogs on neutral ground at least 2 times before you take the dog home. This will give them time to get to know each other without any pressure and allow you to pick up on any problems - eg - doesone dog take a dislike to another and start grumbling - do they get on and have a bit of a romp etc.
Dogs are generally sociable and will settle if you are a firm and fair leader, but it may take quite a long time. To help things progress smoothly, I suggest that they are all fed seperately and have individual sleeping areas so that they can get used to each in their own time.
Take it slowly and don't expect the mini dachshunds to be able to keep up with the red setter. It will need masses more exercise and so will probably spend quite a lot of time with you or your husband independant from the other 2 dogs.
They are all beautiful breeds and i'm sure you'll enjoy every minute!

Answer 3

Setters are a very, very active breed - that's true. But, they're also very friendly and out-going dogs, generally willing to get along with anything. I'd be a lot more concerned about the dachshunds getting along with the setter!

A good way to introduce them would be to put up a baby gate and have them able to see, and more importantly, get each other's scent. Once they're ok with that and seem accepting, would be the time to allow physical contact.

If your dogs are socialized and friendly, you should be just fine - you just need to use a little common sense when they're outside. particularly while the setter's a puppy and very rambuctious!

Answer 4

A red setter over the age of 3 will be quite calm and collected. They are wired up to the age of 3 and can be full of enthuasim and giddiness - but once they hit the age of 3 they calm down drastically!
They are an extremely friendly dog and do not make enemies amongst other dogs easily. They are extremely loyal and very intelligent.
If you do buy one though - bear in mind they need ALOT of exercise and do not make suitable house dogs unless you have the use of a garden and can take them on long walks!

Answer 5

As in Irish Setter, confident the are stunning swimmers. they're looking/pointing canines and could pass to water to retrieve the prey after their grasp has shot it. yet they might desire to be watched heavily while water is icy chilly or uneven. I also have a chum that has a Setter that's a champion dock dogs.

Answer 6

Red Setters are quite soft and timid, get one they are gorgeous, I have a Gordon Setter (Scottish Version) she is so soft with children, puppies and cats although a little clumsy in her early years.

Answer 7

Setters require a lot of discipline & are a very hyper active dog, they do get along with other pets well, & can be very loyal too.

Answer 8

They are lovely dogs but even the adults are boisterous and need lots of exercise.

Answer 9

Yes there are