If you’re looking for a loyal, intelligent, and highly active companion to become a part of your family, look no further than the Irish Red and White Setter. This dog breed is not just known for its distinctive red and white coat, but also for being a smart and highly active canine companion.
Ever heard of a dog breed that looks like a fluffy strawberry and cream dessert? Probably not, until you’ve met the Irish Red and White Setter! These dogs are uniquely marbled with bright red patches over a pearly white coat. But this is not the only interesting thing about them. While they can win your heart with their looks alone, what makes them truly special is their intelligence.
According to Stanley Coren, a psychology professor who has done extensive research on dog intelligence, the ability to learn and obey commands is a key indicator of a canine’s intelligence. So, let’s deep dive and explore how our beloved, strawberry and cream coated friends fare when it comes to smarts.
At A Glance: How Smart Are They?
Among the different canine intelligence categories established by Prof. Coren, the Irish Red and White Setter comfortably sits in the “average intelligent” category. Now, before you jump to conclusions, consider this; the average category doesn’t mean these dogs are not smart. They are quick-learners, eager-to-please, and have a striking ability to understand and respond to commands, all traits associated with intelligence in canines. More importantly, they excel in adaptive intelligence, which refers to a dog’s ability to solve problems and learn from previous experiences.
Working and Hunting Intelligence
One essential area to assess when understanding a breed’s intelligence is their original purpose, or their ‘working intelligence’. The Irish Red and White Setter has a rich working history that dates back to the 17th century. They were bred for hunts, to ‘set’ (hence the name setters) by indicating to their owners the location of game birds. This required a great deal of strategy, agility, and intelligent decision-making, all of which are embodied by these dogs even today.
These dogs need to strategize, discern scents, remember locations, and communicate effectively with their human partners during the hunt. Could there be a more robust display of smarts? Therefore, while your Iris Red and White Setter might not have a bounty of game birds to find in your backyard, they still instinctually carry the problem-solving and strategic mindset of their ancestors.
Adaptive Intelligence
The Irish Red and White Setter individuals often display immense adaptive intelligence. Meaning, they’re quite efficient at problem-solving and learning from experiences. For instance, if your setter figures out that sitting nicely earns him a treat, he will remember and repeat this behavior. Or even learn how to open latched doors if he has seen it done before.
Remember, these dogs were bred to make smart decisions during hunts, and they bring this capacity to learn and adapt into your home as well. A patient and consistent training approach can do wonders to develop this inherent adaptive intelligence in them further.
Training the Irish Red and White Setter
Training these intelligent dogs can be both challenging and rewarding. Being a lively and energetic breed, they require early socialization and frequent stimulation. Consistent obedience training, combined with lots of love and patience, is the key to having a well-behaved Irish Red and White Setter.
These dogs can be slightly stubborn at times. Therefore, training should always be positive reinforcement-based. A harsh training approach can have an adverse impact and might result in your Setter shutting down.
Final Thoughts
So, back to our original question: Is an Irish Red and White Setter a smart dog? Based on their working intelligence and adaptive learning capabilities, the answer is a resounding YES! They may not necessarily be the dogs solving math equations, but their ability to learn and adapt to situations efficiently and effectively, combined with their athletic prowess and problem-solving instincts, make them smart dogs indeed.
Adding an Irish Red and White Setter to your family means adding an active, intelligent companion that’s eager to please and quick to learn. With the right balance of consistent training, physical exercise, and brain-stimulating activities, you’ll not only have a clever dog but also a loving and playful family member. Sure, they might occasionally dig a hole in your garden or create a mess in your living room, but that’s just a small price to pay for the unique blend of intelligence, loyalty, and affection these dogs offer. One thing is certain though, life with an Irish Red and White Setter is never boring!
