The breed known for its rich mahogany coat and developed in Ireland for bird hunting is the Irish Setter.
The Irish Setter is a gundog bred to locate and point upland gamebirds. It uses its keen sense of smell to find hidden birds, then freezes in a characteristic pointing stance so hunters know where the quarry is. The breed developed in Ireland from setter lines maintained by Irish breeders and landowners.
Although the modern breed is strongly associated with a solid red coat, early Irish Setters could also be red and white or show other markings. Selective breeding gradually favored the rich red appearance now considered typical. The Irish Red Setter Club approved an early breed standard in Dublin in 1886.
The Irish Setter is often confused with the English Setter and Gordon Setter, but coat color and national development help distinguish them. English Setters are commonly white with flecking, while Gordon Setters are black and tan. Irish Setters are energetic family dogs as well as working hunters, and their long, feathered coat needs regular brushing.