The Irish Setter is energetic, intelligent, affectionate, loving and high-spirited. They have no guarding instincts, get along with other pets and are very good with children. They can be reckless and highly strung if not given enough mental and physical exercise and may become destructive. They are impulsive and independent and sensitive to the tone of one’s voice but will not listen to a weak owner. They do not respond well to harsh discipline and provided they are given firm handling and plenty of exercise they are a joy to own. Early training will prevent behaviour issues and discourage them from jumping on humans even as a puppy. They are relatively easy to housetrain. There are two types, field lines and show lines (bench). Field lines are bred for hunting and field trial work and are generally somewhat smaller with shorter coats. The bench type are bred for conformation shows. Both types are energetic and require lots of exercise but field lines have a higher energy level and require even more exercise. The dominancy level in this breed varies even within the same litter. If you are not the type of person who can display a natural air of calm, but firm authority, then be sure to choose a pup who is more submissive. The temperament of both show and field lines vary widely, depending upon how the owners treat the dog and how much and what type of exercise they provide. The Irish Setter is used for all types of hunting. They are extremely swift, with an excellent sense of smell and are hardy over any terrain and in any climate, working well even in wetlands. This breed should be always kept on a lead as they have a tendency to run off and can be difficult to catch.