Gundog group · Ireland
Irish Setter
Also called Red Setter, Irish Red Setter.
Large dog, needs a serious amount of exercise, trains well with consistency.
- Outgoing
- Sweet-natured
- Active
- Lovable
- Playful
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 27 to 32 kg60 to 70 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 15 years
- Energy
- Very High
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training an Irish Setter
Gundog breeds. Quick to learn and quick to get over-excited. The work is calm around distractions, not obedience.
Channel the Energy
Start here
Irish Setters are exuberant and slow to mature. Exercise thoroughly before training sessions for better focus.
Keep Training Fun
This playful breed responds best to upbeat, game-like training. Harsh corrections cause shutdown.
Patience with Maturity
Irish Setters remain puppy-like until age 3-4. Adjust expectations and maintain consistency.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Irish Setter and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to find, flush and retrieve game alongside a person. Biddable, busy, and happiest with a job.
Gets on with
- ChildrenVery High
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersHigh
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 2+ hours daily. Requires substantial running, not just walking. Excellent for active families.
- Grooming
- Moderate. Regular brushing 2-3 times weekly, more during shedding season. Check ears regularly.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Long, Silky, FeatheredMahogany Red, Chestnut Red
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint condition common in larger breeds affecting mobility
Bloat (GDV)
Severe
Life-threatening stomach torsion requiring immediate veterinary care
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Moderate
Degenerative eye disease leading to vision loss
Where they come from
History
Developed in Ireland in the 18th century as a gun dog for hunting upland game birds. Originally red and white, the solid mahogany red became the standard by the 19th century. Known for their elegant appearance and tireless enthusiasm in the field.
- King Timahoe · President Richard Nixon's beloved Irish Setter who lived in the White House
- Big Red · Title character of the classic novel and Disney film about a champion Irish Setter
