Irish Setter
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Find Irish Setter BreedersGet to Know Irish Setters
- Presidential Dog: President Richard Nixon had an Irish Setter named King Timahoe at the White House.
- Red Coats: The breed's stunning deep mahogany red coat is considered one of the most beautiful in the dog world.
- Slow to Mature: Irish Setters are famously slow to mature mentally, retaining puppy-like exuberance well into adulthood.
- Big Red Dog: At up to 70 lbs with a flowing red coat, the Irish Setter is sometimes jokingly called the inspiration for Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Breed History
The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland in the 18th century from a combination of English Setters, Gordon Setters, and spaniels. Originally red and white, breeders selected for the solid mahogany red coat that became the breed's hallmark. The breed was used as a gun dog for pointing and retrieving game birds on the moors. Irish Setters became immensely popular in the show ring and as family companions, notably when President Nixon brought a breed named King Timahoe to the White House.
Personality and Behaviour
- Joyful & Outgoing: Irish Setters are among the most exuberantly happy breeds. They approach life with irrepressible joy and enthusiasm.
- Affectionate & Sweet: They are incredibly sweet-natured dogs that love everyone—family, friends, children, and strangers.
- High Energy: They are extremely energetic dogs that need significant daily exercise. A tired Irish Setter is a well-behaved Irish Setter.
- Playful Forever: They retain puppylike playfulness throughout their lives, making them perpetual entertainers.
Care
- Exercise: At least 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise. Running, field work, hiking, and swimming are ideal. They need room to stretch their long legs.
- Grooming: Their beautiful, silky coat needs brushing three to four times weekly to prevent tangles. Regular trimming of feathering and ear hair. Clean long ears regularly.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality food for active large breeds. Irish Setters are prone to bloat—feed multiple small meals rather than one large one. Avoid exercise immediately after eating.
- Health: Watch for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, bloat, hypothyroidism, and osteosarcoma. The breed is also prone to a condition called canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD).
Irish Setter Summary
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GroomingHow Much Does It Cost to Own an Irish Setter Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning an Irish Setter is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Irish Setter
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Irish Setter puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Irish Setter, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether an Irish Setter is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
