Irish Setter

Everything you need to know about Irish Setters

Life Expectancytypically 11+ years
SheddingLong length with moderate shedding
SizeLarge

How to pronounce Irish Setter: ai·ruhsh seh·tuh 

Irish Setters are large, typically active dogs first bred in Ireland as gundogs. Their silky, medium-to-long coats are usually red or chestnut in colour, but can also be black, brown, or white.  

When it comes to behaviour, each doggo has their own traits and quirks. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re taking a look at everything Irish Setter, bringing you the important facts and things to consider.

Could you give an Irish Setter a forever home? 

Caring for Irish Setters

Every dog is different with their own personality and needs. Here are some areas to think about when taking care of a Irish Setter. 

Caring for your chosen breed

Health Issues

It’s important before becoming an Irish Setter parent to consider any possible health issues. Not every dog suffers with them, but it’s good to be prepared.

Speak to your vet to find out which conditions your Ir...

How much food does a Irish Setter need?

Not all Irish Setters need the same amount of food. This depends on their:

  • age
  • size
  • activity levels
  • fitness
  • weight.

Dog food packets usually provide a good indica...

Signs your dog may be under the idea body condition

  • Ribs, vertebrae (spine) and pelvic (hip) bones are prominent or visible and very easy to feel
  • Not able to feel and fat layer over the ribs
  • Possible loss of muscle mass
  • Obviously thin waist

Ideal body condition

  • Ribs can be felt easily
  • Minimal or thin layer of fat covering the ribs
  • When viewed from above, the waist is obviously narrower that the rest of the body
  • When viewed from the side, the belly tucks in rather than being rounded

Signs your dog may be over the ideal body condition

  • Ribs are hard or impossible to feel under body fat
  • Waist is not obvious when viewed from above
  • Fat deposits at the base of the tail, the neck and on their legs
  • Rounded abdomen

How much exercise does a Irish Setter need?

Irish Setters are typically high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. ...

How much grooming does an Irish Setter need?

Irish Setters shed moderately. To ease your dog into handling and grooming, introduce it step by step and in a positive way. Your dog feeling relaxed and confident will make grooming more enjoyable for everyone involv...

What crate size do you need for a Irish Setter?

In their crate, your dog should be able to comfortably:

  • sit and stand at their full height
  • turn around without touching the edges
  • lie down at full stretch
  • comfortably wag their tail....

Irish Setter behaviour and training

Even if you think you know about Irish Setters, it’s important to remember that every dog has their own personality. 

Training your chosen breed

What's the temperament of a Irish Setter?

Like us, every furball has their own unique personality shaped by their experiences. This means that different Irish Setters have varying temperaments.

As dogs grow, they learn all about the world. They figure o...

Are Irish Setters easy to train?

Any dog can be taught new tricks, whatever their breed. It’s all about positive learning. Find out what motivates your dog, whether that’s treats, toys or praise. You can use this as a reward throughout training to ma...

Are Irish Setters good with children?

Each dog’s personality is shaped by their experiences of the world and they respond differently to certain situations.  

But there are some universal ways to treat any dog, including Irish Setters, respectf...

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