Irish Setter: History, Temperament, Exercise

Group: Sporting Dogs

AKC Ranking: 68

About Irish Setter

Irish Setters are very high-energy dogs with a lot of spirit and stamina. They are intelligent, affectionate, and independent. These dogs are used for all types of hunting since they have a wonderful sense of scent and love to run and to swim. They can be a good family dog as they love children and can get along with other pets, but you must have a very well secured fenced yard and be willing to get them lots of exercise.

Because of their independent spirit, they can be difficult to train and need a loving but firm trainer starting at an early age. They easily fall into bad habits, so start teaching them good manners immediately and insist on their being well-mannered at all times.

Both Field and Show lines make good pets, but if you want a smaller dog with a shorter coat, choose a field line (which also tend to be higher energy).

This is definitely not an apartment dweller.

This breed is especially likely to bloat, so feed 2-3 meals a day in raised bowls. They are also especially prone to epilepsy and severe skin allergies. The very long soft coat sheds constantly with the entire coat shedding twice yearly. Daily brushing is needed.

Breed Selector Tool - is the Irish Setter the right breed for you?

Is the Irish Setter the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool

Check Your Irish Setter's Learning Style

Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your Irish Setter's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper training methods.

Is your Irish Setter dominating over you?

Does your Irish Setter bark unnecessarily? Does your Irish Setter come to you when you call? Download a FREE Report on Dog Dominance for you and your Irish Setter and learn how to control your dog.

Do you make these mistakes with your Irish Setter?

Are you inadvertently snow-balling bad behavior in your Irish Setter? Evaluate your Dog Training Style from our Free Tool and learn how best to deal with your dog.

Irish Setter Calorie Calculator

Do you know how many calories your Irish Setter needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Irish Setter Calorie Calculator.

Health Issues

They suffer from eye problems, elbow and hip dysplasia, auto-immune disease, hypothyroidism, and ear inflammation.

Height

Males are 26-28" and
Females 24-26"

Weight

Males weigh 65-75 lbs and
Females weigh 55-65 lbs.

Life Expectancy: 11-15 years.

Breed Club: www.irishsetterclub.org

Rescue Link: www.irishsetterclub.org/contents/rescue/rescue.html