Irish Setter

Published: February 26th, 2016 Last updated: August 17th, 2022 by Kyle J. Larson

Average size and lifespan

Height: 2ft 1in - 2ft 3in
Weight: 60-70lbs
Lifespan: 12 - 14 Years

Behavior

Affection5/5
Kid-Friendly4/5
Stranger-Friendly5/5

Dog-Friendly5/5
Barking Amount3/5

Care

Grooming Difficulty3/5
Shedding Amount3/5
Easy to Train3/5

Can Be Alone3/5
Exercise Need5/5

Environment

Cold Tolerance4/5
Heat Tolerance3/5

Apartment-Friendly1/5

Irish Setter Information

The Irish Setter is known for sporting a gorgeous red coat and for its combination of athleticism, speed and grace. Bred for hunting, the Irish Setter is believed to have developed from an English Setter-Spaniel-Pointer-Gordon Setter mix in the 18^th century. With this pedigree, the Irish Setter is very easy to train.

With a carefree, positive attitude, the Irish Setter makes friends with anyone they meet. They are exceptional with kids and other pets and love being part of a family. If you are looking for a great family dog, consider the Irish Setter!

All dogs have their own personality and unique training, causing them to differ slightly from these breed stats. However, please let us know if we made an error in the stats, we appreciate your help!

Breed FAQs

Can Irish Setters be apartment dogs?

Irish Setters don't do very well in apartments. It's recommended to look at another breed better suited to apartment-living.

Can Irish Setters be left alone?

While Irish Setters prefer to be around their owners, they can do fairly well when left alone if necessary.

Are Irish Setters good with kids?

Irish Setters do well with kids. As with any dog they should be monitored closely, they're unlikely to become aggressive.

Are Irish Setters friendly with strangers?

Irish Setters love other people and will tend to run up to them for affection. They quickly become great friends with anyone.

Do Irish Setters get along with other dogs?

Irish Setters get along great with other dogs. They are very social and tolerate other dogs, where you typically need to watch the other dog more than your own.

Do Irish Setters bark a lot?

As far as dogs go, Irish Setters bark an average amount. You can expect them to bark to alert you, get your attention, or when there are strangers or other dogs.

Do Irish Setters shed a lot?

Irish Setters shed a medium amount. They will have seasonal shedding, but aren't terrible to clean up after.

Do Irish Setters need a lot of grooming?

Although Irish Setters require a medium amount of maintenance to keep their coats healthy. Simple tasks like brushing and bathing will suit this breed.

Do Irish Setters need a lot of exercise?

Expect Irish Setters to have high energy levels and need a lot of exercise. You'll need to find options to release this energy or they may exibit bad behavior.

Are Irish Setters easy to train?

Although Irish Setters can be a challenge to train, they can be taught with some dedicated work or by hiring some training help.

Can Irish Setters handle cold weather?

Irish Setters do well in cold weather. You may need to protect their paws, but they'll do well in colder climates.

Can Irish Setters handle hot weather?

Although Irish Setters can tolerate hot conditions, be careful not to expose them for too long.