Irish Setter
Overview
The flame-red Irish Setter was bred as a fast, wide-ranging gundog to find game birds, and it brings boundless joy and energy to everything. Friendly, exuberant and wonderful with children, if slow to grow up. It suits active families who can meet its considerable exercise needs and keep the feathered coat groomed through years of puppyish enthusiasm.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Irish Setter is excellent with children of all ages and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Irish Setter typically needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (roughly 120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, short training games and puzzle or scatter feeding go a long way towards a calm, settled dog. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is moderate. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Irish Setter should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a large breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Friendly, exuberant and great with children
- +Beautiful, sociable and good-natured
Things to consider
- –Very high energy and boisterous for years
- –Feathered coat needs regular grooming
Is a Irish Setter right for you?
On space, a Irish Setter is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Irish Setter
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Irish Setters good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Irish Setters tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Irish Setter need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Irish Setter needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Irish Setters shed a lot?
Moderate shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are Irish Setters easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Irish Setters are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Irish Setters bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Irish Setters good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Irish Setters suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Irish Setter really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.