Apartment fit
Apartment life is difficult unless the owner provides serious exercise, training, and quiet recovery routines.
SportingLarge
Ireland
IrelandIrish Red and White Setter
Weight
50-70 lb
Height
22.5-26 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Silky Medium
The Irish Red and White Setter is an Irish gundog with a white coat and solid red patches, bred to find and point game birds with stamina and style.
Irish gundog older than the solid red setter typeWhite coat with solid red patchesHigh exercise needs and strong field instinctsHealth testing should include hips, eyes, and CLAD
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
No widely used alternate names are recorded for this breed.
FriendlyDeterminedAthleticGood-NaturedTrainableField-Oriented
Weight
50-70 lb
Height
22.5-26 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Silky Medium
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Irish Red and White Setter is the older red-and-white Irish setter type, developed as a working bird dog before the solid red Irish Setter became more familiar in the show ring. It is built to quarter ground, locate game birds, and work closely with a hunter.
This breed is athletic, good-natured, and determined outdoors. It usually needs more exercise and field-style enrichment than a casual household expects, but a well-exercised dog can be affectionate and steady at home. The coat is white with solid red patches, making the breed visually distinct from the solid red Irish Setter.
Grooming is moderate: brush feathering, check ears, and remove burrs after field work. Health planning should include hips, eyes, CLAD testing, PRA testing where relevant, bloat awareness, and breeder discussion of line history.
Temperament & Personality
FriendlyDeterminedAthleticGood-NaturedTrainableField-Oriented
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a friendly, determined, athletic companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Silky
Coat length
Medium
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
White with Solid Red Patches
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners who enjoy field work, hiking, and training
- homes with secure outdoor access
- families prepared for an energetic sporting dog
- people who can brush feathering and check ears regularly
Not ideal for
- low-exercise homes
- small apartments without outdoor plans
- owners wanting a quiet low-maintenance dog
- people away all day without companionship and exercise plans
Common challenges
- young-dog exuberance
- recall around birds and wildlife
- burrs and mats in feathering
- bloat awareness
Barking & behavior
The breed is usually friendly rather than sharp, but it can become noisy or restless when underworked.
Training style
Use rewards, movement, field-style games, and consistent recall practice. Keep sessions upbeat and active.
Grooming & shedding
The coat sheds moderately and feathering needs regular brushing. Ears should be checked after wet or brushy outings.
Care Guide
Exercise
Plan long daily walks, running in safe areas, field training, scent games, or other gundog work. This setter was bred for active days outdoors and needs more than a quick walk.
Grooming
Brush the coat and feathering several times a week, especially after brushy walks. Check ears, feet, tail, and belly for burrs and mats.
Training
Use reward-based training with movement, nose work, and practical field-style tasks. The breed is willing, but young dogs can be exuberant and distractible.
Nutrition
Feed a measured athletic-dog diet and keep the dog lean. Discuss bloat risk, growth, and exercise timing with your veterinarian.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
2/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaEye disease and PRACanine leukocyte adhesion deficiencyBloat and gastric dilatation-volvulusEar infectionsObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Irish Red and White Setter a good apartment dog?
Usually not the easiest fit. The breed is athletic and field-oriented, so apartments only work with serious daily exercise and outdoor access.
Does the Irish Red and White Setter bark a lot?
It is usually a moderate barker, but boredom, under-exercise, and excitement can increase noise.
Is the Irish Red and White Setter good for first-time owners?
It is better for active owners who understand sporting breeds. First-time owners can succeed with support, but they must be realistic about exercise and training.
How much exercise does the Irish Red and White Setter need?
Most adults need substantial daily exercise plus training or scent work. They were bred for long days finding game birds.
Is the Irish Red and White Setter good with kids and other dogs?
Many are friendly family dogs when socialized, but their size and enthusiasm require supervision around children.
Does the Irish Red and White Setter shed a lot?
The coat sheds moderately. Feathering needs regular brushing, especially after field work.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Irish Red and White Setter?
The biggest challenge is meeting the exercise and field-work needs of an athletic setter while keeping grooming and health screening on track.
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