Updated October 14, 2024
Updated October 14, 2024
Irish Setters are energetic and friendly dogs known for their rich, reddish coats and friendly disposition. They thrive in active homes with pet parents who appreciate their playful nature and can provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
Loving, Goofy, Curious
Male: 70 pounds
Female: 60 pounds
Male: 27 inches
Female: 25 inches
12 to 15 years
Mahogany, Chestnut, Red
A rambunctious redhead, born to run and with a sweet, goofy streak, Irish Setters are friend to all they meet and up for anything you love to do. Magazine-cover gorgeous and intelligent with an alert personality and outgoing manner, they’re your new best friend as long as you can give them the attention and exercise they need to burn through all of that energy. Cat, other dogs, kids? Not a problem. We love everyone! So, not the best choice for a guard dog (unless tail-wagging can be considered a weapon) or in a situation of being left alone for most of the day. If you have the time and energy to keep up and enjoy meeting strangers who will want to love on your dog, an Irish Setter might be the pooch for you.
Irish Setters have long ears, expressive eyes and deep chestnut-colored coats with lots of feathering. This stunning redhead is often described as the most beautiful of dog breeds, and that holds true regardless of which of the two Irish Setter types you decide to make your own: a show dog or a field dog.
An Irish Setter's ears are long and set well back on their heads. The fur on their ears is often curly or wavy.
They have dark- to medium-brown eyes that are slightly almond-shaped.
The Irish Setter's nose is black or brown and has wide nostrils.
Irish Setters have a flat, medium-length coat. Their hair and fringe are long and fine.
Most Irish Setters are a beautiful deep shade of auburn. The official colors for their stunning, silky coats are mahogany, chestnut and red.
An Irish Setter's tail tapers to a point and is carried straight or curving slightly upward.
The Irish Setter breed is known for being energetic and friendly. You’d be hard-pressed to find an Irish Setter who’s shy and withdrawn or one who’s aggressive and hostile. This breed is happy-go-lucky, ready to romp with your kids in the backyard or keep you company in the house. The Irish Setter wants to be by your side at all times. Their gentle, loving and playful personality makes them a great fit for families. Because of these traits, they’re also wonderful therapy dogs who can brighten up a hospital room or nursing home.
Irish Setters love children, and their goofy nature will keep your kids entertained. These fiery redheads are also very comfortable with strangers (hello, life of the party!) and good with other pets, especially other dogs or cats. Just be careful with pet birds—since Irish Setters were bred to hunt birds, their prey drive might get them in trouble.
Affectionate, playful and devoted are some of their main characteristics. But Irish Setter dogs also have a mischievous streak: they’re fun-loving and curious, and definitely not above getting into a little trouble. The breed is slow to mature, meaning their playful puppy personality stays around a little longer than most dogs. At the end of the day, though, an Irish Setter’s temperament is sweet and loving—and their desire to please their pup parent is one of the best qualities Irish Setters possess.
Bringing an Irish Setter into your family requires a significant time commitment. Between grooming them multiple times a week, wearing them out with walks and games and providing enough mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble, an Irish Setter will definitely keep you busy. Here’s your 101 guide to caring for your Irish Setter dog.
Irish Setters have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. In general, Irish Setters are a healthy breed, with only a few breed-specific diseases for pet parents and vets to watch out for. These potential Irish Setter health issues include:
The Irish Setter’s origin is fairly straightforward. The Irish Setter breed was first developed in Ireland in the early 1800s as a hunting dog to aid bird hunters in finding and retrieving prey. Hunters combined Gordon Setters, English Setters, pointers and spaniels to create an entirely new breed of dog: the Irish Setter. Setters detected birds and flushed them out of their hiding spots. Then the hunter shot the bird, and the dog retrieved the body and brought it back.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Irish Setter in 1878, making this bird dog one of the earliest breeds to ever be recognized by the organization. As the Irish Setter’s history continued, this breed quickly became one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
Today, some Irish Setters are still used as game dogs. Many more, however, live happy, fulfilled lives in homes with families. Puppies typically cost anywhere between $800 and $3,500, with $1,000 a common Irish Setter price. For that price, you’ll likely get a pup who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may come with pedigree papers. You can find an Irish Setter puppy for sale with an AKC-registered breeder. To adopt, check with your local animal shelter or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.
Expert input provided by Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Animal Health & Behavior Consultant at Camp Bow Wow, and J. Todd Gross, DVM and owner of Goodlettsville Animal Hospital in Nashville, Tenn.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.