The Irish Setter hunts effectively either on the open field or in the woods. It is a fast tracker and is treasured world-wide by sportsmen who enjoy strenuous hunting and have the stamina to follow its relentless pace. The precise origins of the Irish Setter are obscure, however its ancestor is said to be the red spaniel with crossbreeding with the Irish water spaniel and terrier. Friendly with people it makes a good pet, and watchdog.