Quick Facts
- Weight: 55 – 75 pounds (24.95 – 34.02 kg)
- Height: 24 – 28 inches (60.96 – 71.12 cm)
The Look of an Irish Setter
Irish Setters have balanced, elegant, medium-sized frames (sometimes larger) covered in silky red coats that grow long on the ears, tails and chests. Their handsome, lean heads have long muzzles, almond-shaped eyes, dark noses and long, thin ears. They have elegant necks that slope down to deep chests and level backs. Their long, tapered tails are usually carried horizontally. All four legs are lean but muscular. Their red coats can range anywhere from chestnut to mahogany, with or without white patches. Overall, the Irish Setter is a mixture of refined beauty and rustic vitality.
Traits
- Loving
- Vigorous
- High-energy
- Handsome
- Fast
- Hardy
Ideal Human Companion
- Families
- Active seniors
- Joggers and hikers
What They Are Like to Live With
When you bring an Irish Setter into your home, prepare for a downright giddy housemate. Full of boisterous energy and love, Irish Setters will want to be involved in everything you do. They love family time, whether indoors or out, and they get along famously with children.
Irish Setters form strong bonds with their owners, but they are gentle and welcoming with just about everybody—other pets included. Aside from a good, healthy bark, they don’t have any solid “watchdog skills.” Strangers who drop by the house will most likely be wrangled into a lengthy game of fetch.
Bred for hunting in the fields, Irish Setters are bursting with energy, quickness and endurance. If you’re a jogger, runner or bicyclist, take them along. Irish Setters will be calm, happy and trainable as long as they have an outlet for this exuberant energy.
Things You Should Know
Irish Setters have a rambunctious personality that’s almost puppy-like—a trait that can linger long after the puppy years are over. Though always full of good intentions and great vibes, Irish Setters will benefit from firm, positive training.
These dogs love having a big back yard to play in, but they don’t like to be left alone for too long. A happy Irish Setter is one that get healthy doses of exercise and attention.
Irish Setters can live as long as 15 years. Common health issues can include hip dysplasia, skin allergies, eye problems and epilepsy. Also, observe portion control when it comes to feeding: Irish Setters are prone to bloat. Feeding them smaller meals throughout the day is a good practice.
Irish Setter History
Irish Setters were developed from a mix of Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel and English Setter—among other breeds—to be the ideal birding dog. For hundreds of years, they were categorized with a large group of red and white setters. In the early 1800s, the solid-red Irish setter became the commonly accepted type, though some of these red dogs still carried patches of white. With the instincts of a great hunter, the beauty of a show dog and the winning personality of a family pet, the Irish Setter is one of the world’s most beloved dogs.
Read more about the Irish Setter on Dogster.com:
Get to Know the Irish Setter: An Energetic, Clever Companion
