Irish Setter
Also known as Red Setter, and Setter irlandais rouge in French
- Height at the withers
- 55 to 67 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Ireland
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
An elegant, athletic gun dog known for its gorgeous, flowing mahogany or chestnut-red coat and its energetic, friendly temperament.
History and origins
Developed in Ireland in the 18th century as a versatile gun dog for pointing and retrieving game birds, by crossing the Irish Water Spaniel, the English Setter and the Pointer. The breed’s striking mahogany color became its hallmark.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd1)
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Moderate shedding, high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Very open, 5 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- High, 4 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Irish Setter FAQ
How big does the Irish Setter get?
The Irish Setter stands 55 to 67 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 32 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Irish Setter shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs a lot of care. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Irish Setter live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Irish Setter need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Irish Setter good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Irish Setter live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat).
