Irish Setter
A mahogany blur with a heart of gold — joy, at speed, in a show-stopping coat.
On these lists: Dogs for runners
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 55–67 cm |
| Weight | 27–32 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Energy | Very high — 90+ min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Coat | Silky feathered coat · rich mahogany red |
| Group | Sporting · FCI №120 / AKC |
| Origin | Ireland |
| FCI group | 7 — Pointing Dogs · FCI 120 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Irish Setter by the numbers
The Irish Setter facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Ongoing costs run high — more food, bigger doses at the vet, and pricier insurance.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
Bred to range wide across Irish bogland and freeze on point at the scent of gamebirds, the Irish Setter carries that big-running joy into everything it does. It is affectionate, clownish, and constitutionally incapable of a bad mood — but the engine is real, and an under-exercised Setter redecorates with enthusiasm.
Habits & quirks
The gallop of joy
Given open grass, a Setter runs enormous flowing laps purely for the pleasure of it.
Perpetual puppy
The famous late maturity means years of adolescent comedy in an adult-sized body.
The dramatic flop
After the day's mileage, it collapses across the nearest human with theatrical sighs.
Bird alert
A pigeon on the lawn can still stop this show dog mid-stride, one paw raised, ancestors applauding.
Health
The Irish Setter is a deep-chested, athletic dog, and the health point that matters most follows directly from that build: it is prone to bloat, a sudden and dangerous twisting of the stomach. Feed two or three smaller meals a day rather than one big one, and enforce genuine quiet time after eating — no running, no rough play on a full stomach. Learn the warning signs of bloat, because it is an emergency. Beyond that, keep him lean and well-exercised, buy from a breeder who health-tests, and you've a robust dog with a long life ahead.
Nutrition
| Exercise | Ninety minutes or more daily, including free running — this breed was built to cover miles. |
| Grooming | Brush the silky feathering several times a week to prevent tangles and collect the countryside. |
| Health | Deep-chested and bloat-prone — feed split meals and enforce quiet time after eating. |
| Training | Cheerful but easily distracted — short, fun, reward-based sessions win; drilling bores them. |
Feed the Setter for the miles it covers — this is a high-energy dog that genuinely earns its dinner — but split the daily ration into two or three meals rather than one, because a deep-chested breed on a single large meal is a bloat risk. Weigh the food, count the treats, and keep him lean: extra weight on this running frame steals the very thing the breed is for. And always let a meal settle before exercise.
Puppy guide
An Irish Setter puppy is all joy and very little brake, and the famous late maturity means you'll live with an oversized adolescent for a good while — patience and a sense of humour help. Socialize him widely and start short, fun lessons early, but keep the hardest exercise sensible while the joints are still growing. Feed several small meals and let each one settle. Most of all, teach an off switch on purpose: a Setter who only ever learns to go flat-out becomes a hard adult to live with.
Training
The Setter is cheerful and clever but easily distracted, so training works best in short, upbeat, reward-based bursts rather than long drills — repetition just bores it and the nose wanders off after the nearest interesting thing. Keep sessions varied and fun, reward generously, and be patient with the slow maturity; a Setter often takes longer than a working breed to settle. Get real daily running into its life and the training sticks far better, because a Setter with its energy spent is a Setter that can finally concentrate.
Life expectancy
Irish Setters live 12–15 years. The Irish Setter is a long-lived, hardy breed for its size, and you keep it at the top of that range with the basics done well: a lean weight, daily running to keep the athletic frame sound, and meals split and settled to guard against bloat. Buy from a breeder who health-tests, keep vaccinations and dental care current, and a fit, well-bred Setter stays joyful and active long past the point most big dogs slow down.
Popular Irish mixes
Irish Doodle
A cross bred for a wavy, lower-shedding coat and a friendly, biddable nature. Expect an active, affectionate dog that wants real exercise; coat type varies pup to pup and needs regular grooming.
Golden Irish
A warm, sociable family mix pairing two gentle gundogs. Friendly, trainable and energetic — happiest with an active household and plenty of daily running.
Irish Labrador
An athletic, outgoing cross with the Setter's flair and the Labrador's easy nature. Loves people, water and exercise; watch the weight and let meals settle before play.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Are Irish Setters hyper?
They're high-energy and slow to mature rather than truly hyper. Give one real daily running and mental work, and the house dog is surprisingly mellow.
Are Irish Setters good family dogs?
Wonderful with children and other dogs — gentleness is a breed hallmark. The main caution is sheer exuberance around toddlers.
How much grooming does the coat need?
A thorough brush several times a week and occasional trims keep the feathering elegant. It's less work than it looks, but not zero.
Does the Irish Setter shed a lot?
Moderately. The Irish Setter sheds a fair amount, steadily through the year with heavier seasonal patches. A weekly brush keeps most of the loose hair off your floors and clothes.
Is the Irish Setter hypoallergenic?
Not really. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Irish Setter's shedding coat releases plenty of the dander that sets off allergies. If someone at home is allergic, this isn't the easiest breed to live with — spend time around one first.
Is the Irish Setter easy to train?
Reasonably. The Irish Setter is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.