Irish Setter
The red bird dog of Ireland, built to range wide fields all day. Beautiful feathering that mats, a long adolescence, and exercise needs that surprise people who chose the breed for its looks.
- Weight
- 24–32 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland to quarter open country at a gallop and set on game birds. Its mahogany coat and elegant outline made it a show-ring favourite, and eventually produced a split between field and show lines, but the underlying dog is an endurance athlete. Choosing this breed on looks alone is the classic mistake, and the bill arrives in the first year.
Exercise and play
Plan on ninety minutes or more of daily exercise with free running in it; lead walking will not empty the tank. The other defining trait is slow maturity. Irish Setters stay scatty and playful well past two, sometimes to three, so judging one against a settled Labrador of the same age leads to unfair frustration.
They are not slow learners, just late to take life seriously, and short, upbeat, frequently repeated sessions work far better than long formal drills.
Coat and everyday care
The coat is short over the body with long feathering on the ears, chest, backs of the legs, and tail. That feathering mats, so brush two or three times a week with particular attention behind the ears and in the armpits, and tidy the feet and ear edges every couple of months. Check the feathering for burrs and debris after country walks.
Shedding is moderate but very visible.
Exercise and play (2)
On health, the deep chest carries bloat risk, so feed split meals and avoid hard exercise around mealtimes. Progressive retinal atrophy and canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency both have DNA tests, and any reputable breeder will show clear results for the parents. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy also appear in the breed.
Home environment and care planning
This is a friendly, low-aggression dog that generally does well with children and other dogs, which makes it tempting for families. Make sure the household can absorb a large, boisterous adolescent for two to three years and can keep the feathering out of trouble before committing.