Irish Setter

Personality

Irish Setters are exuberant. The AKC standard describes a rollicking personality, and anyone who has watched one race around a field with ears flying knows why. They are friendly with nearly everyone, which makes them cheerful family dogs and lackluster guard dogs.

This breed wants to be part of everything. Irish Setters are affectionate, playful and sensitive, and they get lonely and bored quickly if left on their own. Without enough exercise and company, many become noisy, destructive or restless. PetMD notes that they stay rambunctious for years, usually settling around age three or four.

They are usually good with children and other dogs, although a young setter can easily knock over a toddler in a burst of joy. Their sense of fun can read as stubbornness: Irish Setters are intelligent but independent and easily distracted. They respond best to patient, upbeat handling and a household with a steady daily routine.

History

Irish Setters grew out of the bird dogs that Irish hunters used in the 1700s. The breed is believed to descend from English Setters, with some Gordon Setter blood, as well as spaniels and pointers. Early Irish setters were often red and white, which made them easy to spot at a distance in the field. A line of solid red setters was established around 1800.

From 1862 a dog named Palmerston was especially influential, passing on his long head and slender build, and most modern Irish Setters trace back to him. Solid red and red-and-white setters were later split, and the red-and-white dogs are now a separate breed, the Irish Red and White Setter. The Irish Setter also became more popular as a show dog than as a field dog, although it still works in both roles.

In America the breed became a household favorite, ranking among the most popular breeds in the 1970s before declining sharply. Today the breed is still beloved by those who know it, and while many Irish Setters are show dogs and companions, some continue to work in the field.

Appearance, coat & colors

Irish Setters are known for a rich, glossy red coat. The AKC standard asks for mahogany or deep chestnut red and no black at all, though a little white on the chest, throat or toes is not held against a dog. The coat is straight, fine and glossy, short on the head and front of the legs, and longer on the ears, chest, tail and back of the legs.

The standard describes a substantial yet elegant build. The ideal male stands 27 in (69 cm) at the shoulder and weighs about 70 lb (32 kg); the ideal female is 25 in (64 cm) and about 60 lb (27 kg). Dogs more than an inch off the ideal are discouraged. VCA gives the usual range as 25 to 27 in and 60 to 70 lb.

The head is long and lean, a trait associated with the influential dog Palmerston. The standard calls an outgoing, stable temperament the essence of the breed and treats shyness, hostility or timidity as uncharacteristic.

Training

Irish Setters are quick, but they are also independent, distractible and slow to mature. Short, positive sessions with food rewards and play work far better than repetition or pressure. Aim to end each session on a success while your dog is still keen.

Socialization matters. Meet lots of people, dogs and new places while your puppy is young, and practice manners such as sitting for greetings, because enthusiasm can quickly become jumping. Recall is the toughest skill. A scenting setter will go where its nose takes it, so train on a long line and keep off-leash time to securely fenced areas.

Crate training can help with management and house training. Obedience classes, agility, tracking and field activities give this clever dog a job. Be patient, keep your sense of humor and avoid harsh corrections, which tend to make a sensitive dog shut down or turn silly instead.

Exercise

This is not a breed for the casual stroller. Irish Setters need vigorous daily exercise: very long walks, jogs, hikes or energetic games of fetch. VCA adds that field-bred dogs tend to be even more energetic. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs can help you plan.

A fenced yard is a big help, but it does not replace outings with you. Free running in a secure area is ideal. PetMD notes that Irish Setters are rambunctious into adulthood and do not suit apartment living.

Mental exercise matters too. Scent games, trick training and puzzle toys help channel their curiosity. Keep growing puppies to moderate play and avoid forced running on hard surfaces until their bones have matured. When your setter gets enough activity, expect a surprisingly calm dog in the house.

Grooming

The Irish Setter's silky coat looks glamorous but needs regular care. Brush and comb two to three times a week, or daily if you can, to prevent mats in the feathering behind the legs, on the ears and under the tail. Burrs and tangles are easier to remove early. Shedding is about average.

Bathe about once a month, and trim the feet and the fur around the ears and tail so the coat stays tidy. VCA suggests clipping and trimming about monthly to keep the coat looking its best. Trim nails regularly, which keeps the feet comfortable and the stride sound.

Check the ears weekly. Their long ears fold over and trap moisture and debris, and ear infections are a common concern. Clean them with a vet-approved solution, and call your vet if you see redness, odor or discharge. Brush the teeth often as well.

Feeding

Feed a complete and balanced food that matches your Irish Setter's life stage and activity level. Active setters can have a high metabolism and may need more food than their size suggests, but watch the waistline: extra weight strains joints, and many setters like their meals.

Split the daily ration into two smaller meals instead of one large one. The AKC notes that several small meals and no vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help lower the risk of bloat in this deep-chested breed. Learn the warning signs in our guide to bloat. Puppies need more frequent meals, so ask your breeder or vet for a schedule.

Use our dog food calculator for a starting estimate, then adjust based on how the ribs feel. You should be able to find them under a thin layer of fat. Ask your vet about a large-breed puppy formula, joint supplements and any special diet. Report chronic loose stools, itchy skin or poor weight gain rather than switching foods again and again.

Health

Irish Setters are generally healthy, but they are prone to several serious conditions. Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog has a swollen belly, drooling, restlessness or retching with nothing coming up.

Inherited eye disease is another concern. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) leads to blindness, and DNA tests exist for the early-onset (rcd1) and late-onset (rcd4) forms. Hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, elbow osteochondritis, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, allergies and ear infections also occur. The Irish Setter Club of America says the carrier rate of CLAD, an inherited immune disorder, was about 12 percent when it was first studied, and no affected dogs or carriers have been identified in the US in recent years.

The AKC lists hip evaluation, thyroid evaluation and the rcd1 PRA DNA test as recommended screenings. Schedule yearly checkups and ask your vet about preventive stomach surgery (gastropexy), often done at spay or neuter.

Health conditions to know about

• Bloat (GDV) — Life-threatening twisting of the stomach in deep-chested dogs; needs emergency care.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — Inherited eye disease that leads to blindness; DNA tests exist for early-onset (rcd1) and late-onset (rcd4) forms.
• Hip dysplasia — Inherited joint malformation that can cause pain and arthritis; breeding dogs should be screened.
• Hypothyroidism — Underactive thyroid that can cause weight gain, lethargy and skin or ear problems; manageable with treatment.
• Epilepsy — Seizure disorder with no identified cause in many dogs; medication can reduce severity and frequency.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Thyroid evaluation
• PRA (rcd1) DNA test

Read more: bloat (gdv), hypothyroidism.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Irish Setter

Irish Setters do best with active people and a home with a securely fenced yard. They are not suited to apartments, since they are energetic, expressive and need room to run. They are not big barkers, but their enthusiasm, bounding and mischief can feel like a lot in a small space.

They hate being alone for long periods. If you work away from home, plan for a dog walker, daycare or a family member who can break up the day. Without company or activity, a setter can chew, dig or howl. Good manners and exercise make a huge difference.

Most are friendly with children, other dogs and visitors. PetMD notes that other pets can work when introduced properly, but their hunting background makes caution wise with small animals. The coat handles moderate temperatures, but protect your dog from heat and extreme cold. Expect red hair on the sofa and a dog that wants to be where the people are.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Choose a breeder who tests, shares the results and cares about the future of the breed. The Irish Setter Club of America and the AKC recommend hip and thyroid evaluations and the rcd1 PRA DNA test for breeding dogs, and the club also asks for brucellosis testing before breeding. Ask to see paperwork for both parents, and about the health and longevity of relatives.

A good breeder lets you meet the mother, raises puppies in the home, offers a written contract and will take the dog back at any age. Be wary of anyone who sells puppies online without meeting you, cannot show health results or always has multiple litters on the ground.

Ask about field versus show lines. Field-bred dogs tend to be more energetic, while show-bred dogs are usually more heavily coated. Puppy prices vary widely. Irish Setters also appear in breed rescue, often as young adults whose owners underestimated their energy, and many make wonderful companions with the right home.