Irish Setter

History of Breed

The Irish setter is the youngest of the three AKC setter breeds and is believed to have descended from the English Setter. Irish hunters wanted and needed a fast-working dog with a strong nose. This breed’s bright red color was easy to spot while in the outdoors. The Irish Setter’s ability to work with his human handler is second to none.

Personality and Temperament

This breed is known for having a very focused and eager to please personality. They have very steady demeanors and tend to get along well with other pets in the household. They are not aggressive dogs but are active and do well with daily outdoor activity time. This breed does make a very good family pet.

Appearance and Grooming

Irish Setters should be provided with thorough and daily brushings. A weekly to bi-weekly bath will help to keep their coats clean and shiny. Being that this breed does enjoy outdoor time, extra time should be invested in making sure they are kept clean and well-maintained. This will not only allow this dog to look his best but feel his best.

Care and Feeding

The Irish Setter is energetic and does enjoy outdoor playtime with family. Keeping this breed fueled with a balance of meat-based protein and micronutrients, as well as healthy carbs and fats, is important. Irish Setter owners recommend feeding this breed two meals each day, spaced about twelve hours apart. This will help to ensure the dog is provided with the proper nutrients he needs. It is also suggested that his teeth get cleaned a minimum of three times a week. Failing to keep his teeth clean can contribute to health issues. Although properly cleaning his teeth will take some practice to get good at, in time, this will become easier for you and your pup.

Breed Size and Life Expectancy

• The Irish Setter stands between twenty-five and twenty-seven inches tall upon maturity.
• This breed weighs sixty and seventy pounds.
• The average life expectancy for this breed is between twelve and fourteen years.

Interesting Breed Facts

Fact: This breed is recognized by the AKC and UKC.

Fact: The Irish Setter is a smart dog that trains with ease.

Fact: This breed is not known for over-barking.

PetCenter is honored to offer first-class Irish Setter puppies, and our caring team of puppy specialists will help answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Irish Setter puppies.

Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions about the Irish Setter 

Are Irish Setters unstable and hyperactive?

Irish Setters gained a reputation as ‘hyper dogs’ in the 1970s when they became popular. This reputation has people believing they are highly unstable. While they are quite energetic, they only become hyperactive and unstable if they are not being constantly exercised or if they are not well trained. 

How much grooming do Irish Setters need?

Their long chestnut coat does require some care but a habit of brushing them daily is the minimum they need. 

Are Irish Setters good guard dogs?

While they are highly sensitive to changes in their surroundings, they would only alert owners to the presence of a threat. They would however not be doing any attacking the intruders. They are more likely to find a place to hide or greet the stranger happily.

How often should Irish Setters be fed?

Irish Setters require feeding three times a day when they are less than six months old. When they are older, feeding could be reduced to twice a day.

Do Irish Setters shed a lot?

They don’t shed easily even though they have a long coat.

Are Irish Setters good apartment pets?

Old Irish setters possess good house manners. Young ones are however not great for apartments because they need room to run.

What is Irish Setters life expectancy?

They usually live for about 12 years.

How tall do Irish Setters get?

Male Irish Setters can grow to about 67 cm while females grow to a height of 62 cm.

How big do Irish Setters get?

Adult males can grow to a size of 32 kg and females reach an optimum of 29kg.

What should Irish Setters be fed?

They prefer homemade food, i.e. Real food

The Irish Setter is a breed that is easy to care for. As a very athletic animal, it challenges owners into an active lifestyle.