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Irish Setter

Loved by 83% of pet parents

Elegant, spirited, and affectionate, this breed thrives on companionship and active play. Renowned for its striking red coat and joyful, outgoing personality.

Breed Characteristics

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Playfulness

Adaptability

Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed.

HEIGHT

58–67 cm (male)

55–62 cm (female)

WEIGHT

27–32 kg (male)

24–29 kg (female)

LIFE EXPECTANCY

12–15 years

Irish Setter: Breed snapshot

Everything you need to know about this beloved breed at a glance

Key Breed Characteristics

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Canidae

Genus

Canis

Species

Canis lupus familiaris

Diet

Omnivore

"A Irish Setter isn't just a pet — they're a loyal companion, a playful friend, and a loving family member all in one."

Temperament & personality

Understanding Irish Setter's temperament is key to knowing if they're the right match for your lifestyle.

Personality Overview

The Irish Setter is friendly, outgoing, and affectionate, often displaying a playful and energetic temperament. They are known for being sociable with both people and other dogs.

Key Personality Traits

Friendliness

Affectionate and welcoming toward people and dogs

Intelligence

Quick learner but sometimes distractible outdoors

Energy Level

Very active, needs daily vigorous exercise

Playfulness

Loves games and interactive play sessions

Adaptability

Adjusts to new settings with some guidance

Strengths

Friendly with people and other dogs
High energy for active lifestyles
Eager to please and easy to train
Good with children and families
Strong hunting and retrieving instinct

Challenges

Prone to separation anxiety when left alone
Needs significant daily physical exercise
May become destructive if understimulated
Can be stubborn during training sessions
High grooming needs due to long coat

Protect your Irish Setter

Irish Setter are active and energetic, but they can develop hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. Get peace of mind with PetSecur's comprehensive coverage.

Insure your pet

Intelligence & exercise needs

Irish Setters are both highly intelligent and energetic, requiring mental and physical stimulation to thrive.

🧠 Intelligence & training

Trainability

Quick learner

Overall rating

Irish Setters are intelligent and eager to please, but their independent streak can sometimes make training a challenge. Consistent, positive reinforcement works best for this breed.

Trainable Tasks:

Recall training in open fields

Advanced scent detection

Retrieving game birds

Agility course navigation

Off-leash heeling

Search and rescue basics

🏃 Exercise & energy levels

Daily Exercise

90–120 minutes daily

recommended per day

This breed has high energy and requires substantial daily exercise, including both mental and physical stimulation. Regular activities such as running, playing, and training sessions are essential to their well-being.

Recommended Activities:

Field trials participation

Long-distance running

Interactive fetch games

Swimming sessions

Hiking forest trails

Nosework challenges

Is this breed right for you?

Irish Setters are versatile dogs that adapt well to many lifestyles, but they're not the perfect match for everyone. Here's a quick guide to help you determine if a Irish Setter would fit well in your home.