The elegant Irish Setter is a true beauty, characterized by his red coat that complements his tall frame. Originating in Ireland, this large dog breed is outgoing, active and sweet-natured. Is he the perfect dog for your family? Find out here.
Is The Irish Setter A Good Family Dog?
Irish Setter Personality
- Happy-go-lucky
- Loves open spaces where he can run
- Intelligent and loves children
- Wonderful Temperament
- Not fit for apartment living
Don’t be deceived by the Irish Setter’s elegant and classy look. His red flowing coat is a true beauty, but he’s one happy-go-lucky dog. He loves to run freely in open spaces and has high levels of energy. In fact, Irish Setters excel in many activities, like those involving agility, intelligence, obedience, and tracking.
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— BCAH Toronto Vet (@BCAHToronto) July 21, 2017
Irish Setter’s are innately intelligent, independent and mischievous, however, this breed is most known for its wonderful temperament. Their love for children on top of everything else makes them desirable family dogs, and therapy dogs; a common breed spotted in hospices, children’s hospitals, and retirement homes.
Lifestyle Needs
- Large open spaces
- Backyard or garden, farm
- A natural hunter
- A stubborn learner
In terms of the space he needs, Irish Setters should live in places with large open spaces like a backyard or a garden. He can live in farms too. Sadly, he won’t fit in your apartment. His need for activity will make him energized throughout the day, making apartment living chaotic.
Quick playtime with Edward before it’s back to work #irishsetter #edwardthesetter #ilovedogs #dog #playtime #dogsofinstagram pic.twitter.com/o12tZcPLYM
— EdwardtheSetter (@EdwardtheSetter) July 27, 2017
In terms of trainability, the Irish Setter needs very little training in hunting birds. However, when it comes to household training, they can become stubborn. You need more patience and consistency to get them learn basic house training skills though they can develop good habits quickly. It’s important to train them early because bad habits are hard to break.
The downside of having an Irish Setter is that it has separation anxiety with destructiveness and barking especially when left alone too much. Because of its intelligence, he is stubborn or has a mind of its own.
Size & Color
- Large Dog Breed
- Comes In Red, Mahogany, and Chestnut
- Medium Long Coat
The American Kennel Club describes the Irish Setter as:
First, there’s that gorgeous red coat. You won’t have to worry about losing track of your pet at the dog park—the flashy Irish Setter stands out in any crowd. Underneath the coat is a true athlete, over two feet tall at the shoulder and weighing 60 to 70 pounds. The breed was created as a hunter’s companion who can do a hard day’s work in the field. Irish Setters are famous for their grace and speed.
The Irish Setter is a large dog breed with a medium long coat that comes in three colors – red, mahogany and chestnut. This breed standard does not have a height range but on average, they can grow as high as 25 inches at the withers for males and 24 inches for females. They also weigh about 67 lbs for males and 57 lbs for females.
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— Morris Animal Inn (@morrisanimalinn) July 18, 2017
The Irish Setter has long front legs and muscular hind legs, making them good runners. His stand shows strength, elegance, and power.
Health
- Generally healthy
- Thrives on lots of exercises
- Tends to bloat
Irish Setters are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they tend to suffer from a variety of health problems. They are very active and love to perform a lot of exercises. Owner’s of this dog breed must be willing to perform daily walks or let the dog do various athletic activities to satisfy his urge to move around.
“Joe” #IrishSetter rescue boy from Spain, his new humans are absolutely lovely! #DogsOfWimbledonCommon pic.twitter.com/Ko7CnUMqGG
— Bonnie Le Bon 🐾 (@DuranDuranDog) August 2, 2017
The Irish Setter is also prone to various health problems such as hip dysplasia, the improper growth of cartilage in the joints, seizures and gastric torsion. They are not intended for apartment living unless their owners are avid athletes who love to run, walk or jog. They are better off in houses with big yards so they can run around anytime during the day and release all their energy.
A good indicator of health in an Irish Setter is his fur. If the coat falls nicely and has a natural glow, the dog is receiving a well-balanced diet of vitamins, minerals, proteins, oils, and fats in food. However, if your dog has a matte hair and looks tired, this indicates he needs more nutritious foods.
Who’s ready for some adventure?
Feeding The Irish Setter
One of the problems Irish Setters suffer from is bloating. This is because they get anxious when they eat which leads to gas consumption. To remedy this you can limit the size of feedings and perform them more frequently. A proper diet is important for good health and to maintain its beautiful and shiny coat.
When feeding this dog breed, you can divide his food into 2 to 3 servings spanned throughout the day. You can feed him commercial dog food but if you want him to become healthy and his coat more beautiful, opt for organic food.
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— UK Pets (@UKPetscom) July 15, 2017
Since this dog is tall, make sure to put the bowl on a higher ground, but not too high. This will allow for easier swallowing and comfort while eating.
Lifespan Of An Irish Setter
The average lifespan of an Irish Setter ranges between 12 to 15 years. Mostly, they are healthy because of the vast exercise they do. However, there are various health conditions that these dogs may suffer from such as hip dysplasia, Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy, epilepsy, gastric torsion, melanoma, bloating, patent ductus arteriosus and hypothyroidism.
Irish Setter Grooming
- Regular brushing
- Clipping and trimming every few months
- Sheds all year round
Since the Irish Setter’s crowning glory is long and shiny, maintaining it will take a lot of work. Regular brushing and combing are important to remove tangles. Moreover, every few months, you may need to trim and clip your dog’s coat to prevent it from growing too long.
He’s back, fighting fit and ready to play #irishsetter #edwardthesetter #ilovedogs #playtime #goodboy #redsetter pic.twitter.com/5BOKnsoYCk
— EdwardtheSetter (@EdwardtheSetter) July 14, 2017
Be prepared for a lot of shedding all year round. You may need to regularly vacuum your carpet or furniture. Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are also recommended. However, just use a cotton ball in cleaning your dog’s ear. Never insert a Q-tip for this may damage their ears.
Price Of An Irish Setter
Since the Irish Setter is a large dog breed, he may cost more than your average dog. However, you can your Irish Setter for an average of $388 to $2,000, depending on the gender and family line.
History Of An Irish Setter
The Irish Setter dates back to the 1700s and as his name suggests, he originated in Ireland. He is a breed of gundog and was first believed to have developed from the English Setter-Spaniel-Pointer Gordon Setter Mix.
Fun Fact
The first Irish Setter color was not red but red and white. However, today, the red color is the preferred choice among owners because it stands out among other dog breeds.
Do you want to know how active an Irish Setter is? Here’s a video by Hope Welch:
Are you thinking of getting an Irish Setter? This outdoor-loving dog needs a lot of time for activities. If you’re up for some action, a loyal and intelligent dog, he is the perfect pet for you. It’s important to make sure you choose based on the guidelines we provided, and we hope this will help you decide on whether or not to get an Irish Setter.
Are you thinking of getting a large dog? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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