Irish Setter — breed guide
Slow to mature — expect a puppy brain well into its third year.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 24–32 kg (53–71 lb)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Silky, feathered, deep chestnut
Living with a Irish Setter
- Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Moderate shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- 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
Exuberant · Affectionate · Playful · Sociable
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Epilepsy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Irish Setter good with kids?
Generally yes. Irish Setters are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Irish 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 Setter need?
Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.
Can a Irish Setter handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Irish 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.