Irish Setter
The rollicking redhead of the field.
- Weight
- 60–70 lbs
- Height
- 25–27 in
- Lifespan
- 11–13 yrs
In short
The Irish Setter is a Sporting breed from Ireland, bred to find game birds and freeze on point, weighing 60–70 lbs and living 11–13 years. Owners should know it stays exuberant and puppyish for years and needs 90–120 minutes of running a day; without it, the energy turns destructive.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a friendly, playful, high-energy family dog
- have space for running
- enjoy running or long hikes
Think twice if you…
- want a calm, low-energy dog
- live in an apartment
- are away most of the day
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 135–150 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Mahogany coat
The solid red coat is the breed's hallmark, but its feathering tangles and collects burrs.
-
02
Long, lean frame
Built for speed and stamina in the field, so short walks rarely satisfy one.
-
03
Slow to mature
Irish Setters often stay puppy-silly until 2–3 years old, with energy to match.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 65–70 lbs | 60–65 lbs |
| Height | 26–27 in | 25–26 in |
| Lifespan | 11–13 yrs | |
| Coat | Silky, moderately long coat with feathering | |
Personality
Irish Setters are fun-loving, friendly and endlessly enthusiastic, greeting every day like a party. They are affectionate but not clingy, and their energy needs a daily outlet.
With kids
Great with kids who enjoy play, though their exuberance can knock over toddlers.
With other pets
Usually friendly with dogs and cats, but may chase birds and small animals.
With strangers
Very friendly with almost everyone; poor watchdogs.
Alone time
Struggles with long periods alone; may chew or bark when bored.
Training
Irish Setters are smart but easily distracted and can be stubborn. Patient, upbeat training works best.
-
How often
Three to five short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm greetings and handling, plus early recall training around distractions.
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Self-control
Teach calm greetings (four on the floor) and a reliable recall with a long line. A 'settle' cue helps them relax indoors.
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What it works for
Most love food and play. Use small, high-value pieces kept within 10% of daily calories, plus games of fetch.
Exercise
Irish Setters need daily free running in a safe area plus long walks. They make great running partners once fully grown.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Running or jogging once fully grown
- Fetch in a fenced field
- Field trials or hunt tests
Brain work
- Scent work
- Retrieving games
- Food puzzles
Best home
Best with a house and large fenced yard; apartments are a poor fit.
Watch for Bloat risk: avoid hard exercise right after meals. Use a long line in open areas, since scent overrides recall.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Irish Setter (60–70 lbs) lands around 1,325–1,500 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,675–1,875 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 170–190 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–9 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,325–1,500 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 135–150 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–8 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,825–2,050 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 185–205 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 9–10 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 1,175–1,300 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 120–130 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–7 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,675–1,875 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 170–190 kcal | 8–9 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,325–1,500 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 135–150 kcal | 7–8 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,825–2,050 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 185–205 kcal | 9–10 pieces |
| Senior | 1,175–1,300 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 120–130 kcal | 6–7 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Irish Setters are prone to bloat, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and inherited eye and immune disorders. A breeder who tests and an owner who knows bloat signs help most.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd1) | PRA rcd1 DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) | CLAD DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | In breeding dogs, repeated every few years |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Irish Setter breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Thyroid panel
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Grooming Moderate year-round
Brush 2–3 times a week, focusing on feathering. Trim around the feet and ears every few weeks, check ears weekly, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1700s
Red and white setters
Irish setters were originally red and white; breeders later favored solid red.
1800s
Show favorite
The solid red Irish Setter became a show-ring favorite in Britain and the US.
1962
Big Red
Disney's 'Big Red' made the breed widely popular in America.
Questions owners ask
Are Irish Setters easy to train?
Moderately. They are smart and eager but easily distracted. Patient, upbeat training works best.
Are Irish Setters good with kids and other pets?
Usually, yes. They are great with kids and friendly with other dogs and cats, though they may chase small pets.
How much exercise does an Irish Setter need?
About 90–120 minutes a day, including running in a safe area. They need real outlets.
Do Irish Setters shed?
Yes, moderately. Brush 2–3 times a week and trim the feathering occasionally.
What health problems do Irish Setters have, and how long do they live?
Bloat, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and inherited eye and immune disorders are the main concerns. They typically live 11–13 years.
Is an Irish Setter good for apartments or first-time owners?
Usually no to both. Irish Setters suit active owners with a yard.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Irish Setter needs only 7–8 pieces a day, well inside the 135–150 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Irish Setter ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Irish Setter
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
