Irish Setter
A mahogany blur with a heart of gold — joy, at speed, in a show-stopping coat.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 55–67 cm |
| Weight | 27–32 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Energy | Very high — 90+ min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Coat | Silky feathered coat · rich mahogany red |
| Group | Sporting · FCI №120 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred to range wide across Irish bogland and freeze on point at the scent of gamebirds, the Irish Setter carries that big-running joy into everything it does. It is affectionate, clownish, and constitutionally incapable of a bad mood — but the engine is real, and an under-exercised Setter redecorates with enthusiasm.
Habits & quirks
The gallop of joy
Given open grass, a Setter runs enormous flowing laps purely for the pleasure of it.
Perpetual puppy
The famous late maturity means years of adolescent comedy in an adult-sized body.
The dramatic flop
After the day's mileage, it collapses across the nearest human with theatrical sighs.
Bird alert
A pigeon on the lawn can still stop this show dog mid-stride, one paw raised, ancestors applauding.
Care
| Exercise | Ninety minutes or more daily, including free running — this breed was built to cover miles. |
| Grooming | Brush the silky feathering several times a week to prevent tangles and collect the countryside. |
| Health | Deep-chested and bloat-prone — feed split meals and enforce quiet time after eating. |
| Training | Cheerful but easily distracted — short, fun, reward-based sessions win; drilling bores them. |
Common questions
Are Irish Setters hyper?
They're high-energy and slow to mature rather than truly hyper. Give one real daily running and mental work, and the house dog is surprisingly mellow.
Are Irish Setters good family dogs?
Wonderful with children and other dogs — gentleness is a breed hallmark. The main caution is sheer exuberance around toddlers.
How much grooming does the coat need?
A thorough brush several times a week and occasional trims keep the feathering elegant. It's less work than it looks, but not zero.