Golden Irish: The Irish Setter Golden Retriever Mix

Picture a Golden Retriever’s friendly face and soft feathered coat, then turn the color up to a deep, glowing red. That is often what a Golden Irish looks like. This cross between the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter combines two of the best-known bird dogs in the world, and it inherits a lot of their energy and charm.

It is a wonderful dog for the right home, and a handful for the wrong one. Here is what to expect.

The two parents

The Golden Retriever was developed in the Scottish Highlands by Dudley Marjoribanks, later Lord Tweedmouth. According to the Golden Retriever Club of America, his breeding records show that in 1868 he paired a yellow wavy-coated retriever named Nous with Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel, at his estate, Guisachan. Their yellow puppies became the foundation of the breed, which was built to retrieve shot birds from cold water and rough ground. Goldens have been one of the most popular breeds in America for decades.

The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland in the 1700s to find game birds and “set,” or freeze, to show the hunter where they were hiding. Early setters were red and white, and solid red lines were established around 1800. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1878. Males stand about 27 inches and weigh about 70 pounds. The 1962 Disney film Big Red, about an Irish Setter, helped make the breed famous in the United States.

Looks

Most Golden Irish dogs look like a slightly leaner, redder Golden Retriever. Expect:

• A coat in shades from rich gold to deep red
• Feathering on the ears, chest, legs and tail
• Long, soft, hanging ears
• An athletic body that may be taller and slimmer than a Golden’s

Temperament

Both parents are known for friendliness, and the Golden Irish usually is too. Owners describe them as affectionate, playful, social and good with children and other dogs. Most greet strangers as new friends, so they make poor guard dogs.

Two traits are worth knowing about:

• A long puppyhood. The Irish Setter Club of America notes that Irish Setters mature slowly in both mind and body. Many do not settle down until they are 2 to 3 years old. A Golden Irish may stay bouncy, mouthy and easily distracted for longer than you expect.
• A dislike of being alone. Both breeds were bred to work closely with people. A Golden Irish left alone for long hours can become bored, noisy or destructive.

Some have a moderate prey drive and will chase birds or squirrels, so a secure fence and a solid recall are important.

Exercise

This is a sporting dog with stamina to burn. Plan for at least an hour of brisk, active exercise every day. A short stroll around the block will not be enough. Good options:

• Fetch and retrieving games
• Swimming, which most Golden Irish love
• Hiking and long walks
• Running alongside you, once the dog is fully grown
• Dog sports such as field work, dock diving, agility or scent work

Mental exercise counts too. Puzzle feeders and training games help tire out a busy brain. Wait until your vet confirms your dog’s growth plates have closed, usually after 12 to 18 months for large breeds, before starting long runs or high jumps.

Training

Golden Irish dogs are smart and eager to please, and they usually respond well to reward-based training with food, toys and praise. The challenge is focus, especially during the long adolescent phase. Keep sessions short and fun, practice in many places, and start puppy classes early. Teaching calm greetings matters, because an excited 70-pound dog can easily knock people over.

Health

Being a mix does not guarantee good health. A 2013 UC Davis study of more than 27,000 dogs found mixed breeds were just as likely as purebreds to have many inherited conditions. A Golden Irish can inherit problems from either side:

• Cancer. Golden Retrievers have one of the highest cancer rates of any breed. The Morris Animal Foundation, which runs the long-term Golden Retriever Lifetime Study with more than 3,000 dogs, cites estimates that about 60 percent of Goldens will develop cancer. Common types include hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, bone cancer and mast cell tumors.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia. Poorly formed joints that can lead to arthritis. Both parent breeds are affected.
• Bloat (GDV). Deep-chested breeds like the Irish Setter are at risk of the stomach filling with gas and twisting, a life-threatening emergency. Feed two smaller meals a day and avoid hard exercise right after eating.
• Inherited Irish Setter diseases. Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD), an immune disorder, and an early form of progressive retinal atrophy called rcd1, which causes blindness, can both be tested for. The UK Kennel Club recommends these DNA tests before breeding.
• Ear infections. Long, heavy ears trap moisture, especially in dogs that swim a lot.
• Skin allergies and hypothyroidism, both common in Golden Retrievers.

Grooming

The feathered coat sheds year-round and more heavily in spring and fall. Brush two or three times a week to prevent mats behind the ears and on the legs, and more often during shedding season. Dry the ears well after swimming or baths, check them weekly, and trim the nails every few weeks.

Finding a healthy Golden Irish

Ask any breeder for proof that both parents have had:

1. Hip and elbow screening, such as OFA or PennHIP
2. An eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
3. A heart exam
4. DNA tests for CLAD and rcd1 on the Irish Setter parent

Golden Retriever and Irish Setter rescues sometimes have mixes too.

Is a Golden Irish right for you?

A Golden Irish suits an active family with a yard, time to exercise every day, and patience for a long puppy stage. It is a poor match for small apartments, homes where the dog would be alone most of the day, or anyone looking for a calm, low-energy companion.