Golden Irish

The Golden Irish dog is mixed between a Golden Retriever and an Irish Setter. These dogs were originally located in Ireland and formally bred to be used as gundogs.

This hybrid breed has a beautiful exterior appearance and an outgoing and friendly temperament. They enjoy the outdoors and can be energetic at times, but they sure do like having some downtime making the Irish Setter the perfect fit for a well-balanced home environment.

History Of The Breed

The Golden Irish dog’s date of origin is not known as it is a hybrid of the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter, although it is believed to have begun in the 1980s when the designer dog craze first started. Its parent breeds have a much deeper history. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands in the 1800s and was developed by Dudley Marjoribanks, who later was known as Lord Tweedmouth. This retriever was descended from the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel.

The Irish Setter was bred to be a hunting dog, specifically to locate and point upland gamebirds and became popular in the 18th century. It is believed to have descended from a mix of the following breeds – English Setter, Spaniel, Pointer, and Gordon Setter.

The Different Types Of Setters And Retrievers

As the Golden Irish is a mixed breed, there is only one type of this breed, although they can have man different looks, depending on what traits they inherit from their parent breeds. There are several types of Setter and Retriever breeds, namely:

• Gordon Setter
• English Setter
• Labrador Retriever
• Nova Scotia Duck Trolling Retriever

Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is the largest breed of the Setter family. This breed is a mixture of the Irish and English Setter. They can present themselves by being very confident with their bark and size but don’t feel intimidated, as their loving and loyal nature will steal your heart.

English Setter

English Setters are a medium-sized breed. They are notorious for their primarily white coats and long silky fringes behind their legs, tail, and underbelly.

Labrador Retriever

This breed originated from England and was bred as a gun dog. Labrador Retrievers are thought to be descendants of a group of dogs imported from a colony in Newfoundland, where they derived their name from the region of Labrador.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

These dogs are medium in size and were bred as gun dogs, used mainly for hunting purposes. Nova Scotia Duck Tollers are the smallest out of all the retriever breeds but are often confused for the Golden Retriever.

Fun Facts About The Golden Irish Dog

• The Golden Irish dog is a very competitive and athletic breed and will always be eager to join in on any sporting activity.
• Their athletic build and strong muscles allow them to be avid swimmers.
• They can be known as Velcro dogs because they like sticking around and are always near their owners.
• Because this breed is a hunting dog, not many people believed it could be so friendly and loving.

Pros And Cons Of Owning A Golden Irish Dog

The Best Dog Food For The Golden Irish Dog

When deciding on the best dog food for your Golden Irish, it’s best to provide them with the highest quality of either wet or dry food. Because their food intake needs to sustain them throughout the day, especially when they are so active.

Incorporate whole foods that don’t contain any artificial preservatives and allergenic ingredients such as gluten and sulfates. Because these dogs are known to have sensitive stomachs, it is essential to provide your dog with foods that can digest easily, such as

• Eggs
• Chicken
• Beef
• Sweet potato
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Celery
• Cucumber

If you are unsure about the Golden Irish’s nutritional needs, go to your veterinarian, who can advise what your dog should eat to keep them healthy and happy.

Weight And Size

Both genders are of average size. The male’s weight is 55-80 pounds, and their height is 21-28 inches. The female’s weight is between 55-80 pounds, and they have the same height of 21-28 inches tall.

Health Issues

The Golden Irish breed can inherit certain health issues from both the Golden Retriever and Irish Setter. These common health issues consist of

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Ear infections
• Bloating of the stomach

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia often occurs in large dog breeds, especially the Golden Irish dog. Because of their more prominent bone structure, this condition does not allow the formation of the joint bone and socket to form correctly.

Hip and elbow dysplasia causes the joint to loosen, and the bone will reduce over time, resulting in painful osteoarthritis and decreased mobility.

Ear Infections

If their ears get wet and are not dried properly, moisture is left behind, creating bacteria inside the ear. This causes an unpleasant odor, redness, and itchiness. This can be cured by getting antibiotic medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

Bloating Of The Stomach

This is a very dangerous condition; if not monitored, it can become fatal. In addition, the stomach can flip over, causing the stomach to swell with gas or fluid, putting pressure on vital organs.

To prevent this from happening, teach your dog to eat slower and avoid physical activity after eating.

It is very important to provide a balanced eating and exercise regime and take your dog for regular check-ups to prevent or keep health issues under control.

Temperament

Sharing the same qualities as their hybrid relatives, they like displaying their love, excitement, and friendliness towards people and other animals. In addition to their complacent nature, they won’t make excellent guard dogs as they become attached to everyone they meet.

How To Take Care Of A Golden Irish Dog

Having a dog can be a big responsibility, so when owning a Golden Irish dog, make sure to provide

• Good quality food
• Clean water
• Safe living environment
• Regular check-ups at the vet
• Essential grooming

Grooming

As they explore the outdoors, their fine feathered locks are prone to collecting natures foliage. To prevent knots and achieve a beautiful silky coat, it’s best to brush their fur once a day and have them bathed once a month.

As for those pearly whites, brush them daily to prevent teeth decay and smelly breath. When sending your dog to the groomers, ask them to trim your dog’s nails, as they are professionals and have mastered the art without harming the pup.   

Training

When training your Golden Irish dog, make use of proper training techniques and keep training times brief.

Once you have given your dog a command and they follow through, reward them with treats and praise. These dogs are highly intelligent and focused, making them fast learners and training them an easy task.

Exercise

This breed has an abundance of energy, which is why they need a lot of exercises to keep healthy and avoid becoming obese. They need at least one hour of activity twice a day, keeping their minds and bodies stimulated and feeling content.

Puppies

Due to this breed being a hybrid dog, they are considered rare. Therefore, when adopting this dog, it is crucial to do proper research and deal with a responsible breeder.

The female dog can fall pregnant from one year of age and can bear 8-12 puppies 63 days after mating. Once the pups are born, a beautiful bonding experience begins between the mother and her new litter of puppies.

Golden Irish Dog And Children

Because of their loving and gentle nature, they bond quickly with children, providing your kids with a furry best friend.

Dogs Similar to the Golden Irish Dog

Dogs similar to the Golden Irish are the Flat-coated Retriever and Red Setter. Both of which have very similar traits.

They were bred to be hunting dogs on land and water; their incredible sense of smell and intellectual skills assisted hunters in retrieving their game. These dogs share the same playful and mischievous qualities but differ in body shape and coat colorings.

Popular Names for Golden Irish Dogs

• Big red
• Dublin
• Finn
• Guinness
• Molly
• Shandy
• Mckenna
• Sloane

1. Petkeen, Available here: https://petkeen.com/golden-irish/
2. Dogzone, Available here: https://www.dogzone.com/crossbreeds/golden-irish/
3. Petguide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/golden-irish/