Apartment fit
Apartment life is possible only with a very active routine and enough companionship. A bored Irish Setter is difficult in tight spaces.
SportingLarge
Ireland
IrelandIrish Setter
Weight
60-70 lb
Height
25-27 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Silky Long
The Irish Setter is a large Irish gundog with a rich red coat, rollicking temperament, and high need for exercise and companionship.
Large Irish gundog with a rich red coatOutgoing, playful, and family-orientedHigh exercise needs and slow maturityHealth planning should include bloat, hips, eyes, and thyroid
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Red SetterIrish Red Setter
OutgoingRollickingFriendlyActiveAffectionatePlayful
Weight
60-70 lb
Height
25-27 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Silky Long
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
Yes
Overview
The Irish Setter is the solid red Irish setter breed, developed as a stylish gundog for finding and pointing game birds. Its mahogany or rich chestnut coat and animated personality made it famous beyond the field, but the breed still carries real sporting-dog energy.
Irish Setters are usually outgoing, affectionate, and playful. They are often slower to mature than owners expect, and young dogs can be exuberant, distractible, and physically bouncy. Daily exercise, recall work, manners training, and companionship are essential for a stable household dog.
The long silky coat needs regular brushing and ear care. Health planning should include hips, eyes, thyroid, bloat risk, epilepsy, allergies, and PRA testing where relevant. A good breeder should discuss both show and field temperament honestly.
Temperament & Personality
OutgoingRollickingFriendlyActiveAffectionatePlayful
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a outgoing, rollicking, friendly companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Silky
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Mahogany, Rich Chestnut Red
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly5/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers5/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active families who want a social sporting dog
- owners who enjoy training, hiking, running, or field games
- homes with space or reliable access to safe exercise
- people who can brush a long red coat regularly
Not ideal for
- low-exercise homes
- owners away all day without companionship plans
- small apartments without outdoor routines
- people wanting a calm adult temperament in puppyhood
Common challenges
- young-dog exuberance
- recall around birds and wildlife
- coat feathering mats
- bloat awareness
- slow maturity
Barking & behavior
Irish Setters are usually friendly, but excitement and under-exercise can lead to noise, jumping, and restlessness.
Training style
Use upbeat rewards, short sessions, recall games, and real-world manners practice. Keep training fun and consistent.
Grooming & shedding
Brush the long silky coat several times weekly and check ears after swimming or wet walks.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Irish Setters need substantial daily exercise: long walks, running in safe areas, field games, recall practice, and training. A tired, engaged setter is much easier to live with.
Grooming
Brush the long silky coat several times a week and check feathering for mats. Ears need regular checks because hanging ears can trap moisture.
Training
Use upbeat reward-based training and start manners early. Irish Setters are willing and social, but young dogs can be exuberant and easily distracted.
Nutrition
Feed a measured large-breed sporting diet and keep the dog lean. Discuss bloat prevention, exercise timing around meals, and joint health 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.
Bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulusHip dysplasiaProgressive retinal atrophyHypothyroidismEpilepsyEar infectionsAllergies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Irish Setter a good apartment dog?
Usually not the easiest fit. Irish Setters are large, active, and social, so apartments only work with serious daily exercise and attention.
Does the Irish Setter bark a lot?
Most are moderate barkers. Boredom, excitement, and lack of exercise can make barking worse.
Is the Irish Setter good for first-time owners?
Yes for active first-time owners who are ready for grooming, training, and daily exercise. It is not a low-effort breed.
How much exercise does the Irish Setter need?
Most adults need long daily exercise plus training or field-style games. They are sporting dogs with real stamina.
Is the Irish Setter good with kids and other dogs?
Many are friendly with children and other dogs when socialized. Supervision is important because young setters can be bouncy and enthusiastic.
Does the Irish Setter shed a lot?
The long coat sheds moderately and needs regular brushing to keep feathering clean and mat-free.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Irish Setter?
The biggest challenge is meeting high exercise and companionship needs while guiding a playful, slow-maturing dog into good manners.
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