Height
27 inches (male), 25 inches (female)
Weight
70 pounds (male), 60 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Size
Large
Irish Setters are large sporting dogs known for high energy, outgoing personalities, and a striking red coat. They usually fit best with active households that want an affectionate family dog and can keep up with daily exercise, training, and regular coat care.
Active sporting companion
Irish Setters are high-spirited sporting dogs, so the best match is someone who actually wants an upbeat dog for daily activity.
Family-centered home
Irish Setters are usually sweet with people, children, and other dogs when the household can handle their size and bounce.
Time for exercise and training
They need a very long walk, jog, or energetic games every day, plus obedience work for mental exercise.
Low-energy routine
Irish Setters thrive on exercise, so skipped activity usually shows up as restless behavior.
Tight apartment life
Their size and energy make them a weak fit for apartment living unless the daily exercise plan is unusually strong.
Very low grooming tolerance
Their long feathered coat needs regular brushing and combing, and outdoor time can mean extra cleanup when burrs or tangles show up.
Daily life
Expect walks, runs, retrieving games, or training sessions to be part of the normal routine even after puppyhood.
Daily life
Irish Setters like human interaction, so they fit best when they are included in home life instead of left on the sidelines.
Daily life
The silky coat is part of the appeal, but it also means brushing, combing, and checking feathering after field time or muddy play.
Training
Obedience training is essential for both control and mental exercise with this energetic sporting breed.
Training
The breed learns quickly, but positive reinforcement works best when sessions stay short, interesting, and upbeat.
Training
Reward-based training usually works well, and food or play often keeps an easily distracted Irish Setter engaged longer.
Plan for it
Like other large deep-chested breeds, Irish Setters can experience bloat, so owners should know the symptoms and emergency plan.
Plan for it
Responsible breeders should screen for hip dysplasia and eye disorders before breeding.
Plan for it
Exercise time is the big lifestyle cost, but grooming also takes steady effort and can turn into recurring professional-grooming spend.
The breed is famous for its brilliant mahogany or chestnut coat.
Setters got their name because they would crouch, or set, after locating birds for hunters.
Irish Setters are classic gundogs, and many can still perform in both field and show venues.
Irish Setters are not generally heavy barkers, even though they will still alert when something is happening.
Sporting • Large • High energy
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Sporting • Large • High energy
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Sporting • Large • High energy
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Sporting • Medium • High energy
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Sporting • Medium • High energy
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Sporting • Medium • High energy
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