Irish Setter grooming in Gloucester, MA

The standard describes it exactly: short and fine on the head and forelegs, of moderate length and flat on the body, with long, silky feathering on the ears, long and fine feathering on the back of the forelegs and thighs, and a fringe on the belly and brisket that runs onto the chest. The tail carries a tapering fringe. All of it should be as straight and free from curl or wave as possible, and the color is mahogany or rich chestnut red with no black.

Long ear feathering is the first place an Irish Setter knots. The hair behind and under the ear leather rubs against the neck and collar with every stride, and a dog that swims or drinks deeply wets it every day. The second place is the armpit, where the chest fringe meets the foreleg feathering. The AKC recommends brushing at least twice a week with a pin brush or soft bristle brush, with a long-toothed metal comb for tangles that are just starting.

An Irish Setter that swims comes home with salt and sand through every fringe, and as wet feathering dries in the car it tangles. The AKC's drying advice applies directly: drying a dog thoroughly helps prevent mats, tangles and the bacterial growth that can lead to skin infections, and longer coats take more time and effort. Rinse with plain water as soon as you can, press the water out with a towel instead of rubbing, then dry the feathering fully.

Salt left to dry in a red coat can leave it looking dull until it is washed out, and that calls for a bath, not a haircut: $75 with blow-dry and brush-out, in line with the occasional bath with a gentle shampoo the AKC recommends. At the time of writing, Wingaersheek Beach is open to dogs off leash on odd-numbered days from October 1 to April 30, so the off-season months are when a swimming setter needs it. Our how-to on drying a dog after the beach covers the routine at home.

A pin brush or soft bristle brush over the body and a long-toothed comb through the feathering, twice a week, is the AKC's routine. Start behind the ears, where knots form first, then work the chest fringe, the armpits, the belly, the back of the legs and the tail. The AKC also advises brushing the teeth often with a toothpaste made for dogs and checking the ears regularly for signs of infection.

From April to November the feathering is where ticks hide after Ravenswood or Dogtown Common, and a setter covers a lot of ground. Combing to the skin finds them. In winter the foot hair packs with snow and road salt from Gloucester sidewalks, so rinse the feet when you come in and keep the hair between the pads short between grooms.