Irish Setter vs Poodle
Discover the differences between Irish Setter and Poodle to make the best choice for your situation.
Try different breeds
Irish Setter
Elegant, spirited, and affectionate, this breed thrives on companionship and active play. Renowned for its striking red coat and joyful, outgoing personality.
Poodle
Elegant, intelligent, and highly trainable, this breed stands out for its lively spirit and loyal companionship. Their hypoallergenic coat and playful personality make them ideal family pets.
Quick comparison
Large
27–32 kg
Silky, feathered
12–15 years
24–29 kg
High energy
Medium
20–32 kg
Curly, dense
12–15 years
18–27 kg
High energy
Personality & behavior
Compare the personality traits and behavioral characteristics of both breeds.
Irish Setter
Affectionate and welcoming toward people and dogs
Quick learner but sometimes distractible outdoors
Very active, needs daily vigorous exercise
Loves games and interactive play sessions
Adjusts to new settings with some guidance
Poodle
Warm and sociable with family and guests
Highly intelligent and quick to learn commands
Needs regular activity and enjoys exercise
Loves games and interactive playtime
Easily adjusts to new environments and routines
Care needs
Exercise, grooming, and daily care requirements
Irish Setter
Hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy
Poodle
Hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease
Suitability
How well each breed fits different living situations and families
Irish Setter
Good option
Friendly and eager to please but needs consistent training and exercise
Not ideal
Needs more space and exercise than most apartments can provide
Perfect fit
Thrives with active owners who can provide daily physical activities
Very suitable
Patient and gentle with children but needs supervision due to exuberance
Highly suitable
Generally sociable and gets along well with other pets if socialized early
Prone to anxiety
Struggles with being left alone for extended periods and may become destructive
Poodle
Great choice
Intelligent and eager to please, Poodles are easy for beginners to train and manage.
Highly suitable
Poodles adapt well to apartment life if given daily exercise and mental stimulation.
Perfect fit
Their energy and love for activity make them great companions for active households.
Very friendly
Poodles are gentle and patient with children when socialized from a young age.
Gets along well
Poodles usually coexist peacefully with other pets, especially if socialized early.
Prone to anxiety
Poodles can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods regularly.
Breed strengths
What each breed excels at and their best qualities
Irish Setter
- 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
Poodle
- Highly intelligent and easy to train
- Hypoallergenic coat reduces shedding
- Strong bond with family members
- Adaptable to various living environments
- Excellent performance in canine sports
Challenges & considerations
Potential challenges and considerations for each breed
Irish Setter
- 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
Poodle
- Requires regular professional grooming
- Prone to separation anxiety if left alone
- Needs daily mental and physical stimulation
- Can be reserved with unfamiliar people
- Susceptible to certain genetic health issues
Ready to choose your perfect breed?
Learn more about each breed or compare other breeds to find the perfect match for your lifestyle.
Discover more helpful tools
Make use of our other free tools to get the most out of your pet experience