Irish Red and White Setter — breed guide
The older of the two Irish setters — nearly lost to the solid red fashion, and rebuilt in the 1920s from working stock.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 23–32 kg (51–71 lb)
- Life span
- 11–15 years
- Coat
- Medium-length silky white coat with red patches
Living with a Irish Red and White Setter
- Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Moderate shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Vocal when there is a reason.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Handles cold well.
Temperament
Friendly · Spirited · Biddable · Playful
Health to watch
- Canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency
- Von Willebrand disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Irish Red and White Setter good with kids?
Generally yes. Irish Red and White Setters are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Irish Red and White Setter good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Irish Red and White Setter need?
Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.
Can a Irish Red and White Setter handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Irish Red and White Setter's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.