Field and show lines → family dog
Two kinds of red setter
Show Irish Setters are larger with a long, deep red coat. Field setters are lighter, faster and often paler.
Meet the parents and see their energy and how calmly they settle.
Irish Setter · Sporting
Irish Setter: temperament, training & running needs
The Irish Setter is a tall, elegant bird dog from Ireland with a rich red coat. Most are joyful, friendly and playful for years. Life goes well with daily running, patient recall practice, a taught settle and regular brushing.
- Job: Irish bird dog that found and pointed game.
- Energy: Very high; daily running.
- Home: Best with active, patient owners and space to run.
First, the point
An Irish Setter is a joyful red bird dog that needs daily running, patient recall work and a taught settle
Public breed histories describe an Irish bird dog bred in the 1700s and 1800s to find and point game.
Most Irish Setters love everyone. Typical struggles are running off, jumping up, pulling and restlessness.
In the first months I teach recall games, calm greetings, a settle and loose-lead walking.
- Height
- 25–27 in (64–69 cm)
- Weight
- 60–70 lb (27–32 kg)
- Energy
- Very high (run then rest)
- Coat / shed
- Long red feathered coat — sheds; brush a few times a week
- Job
- Irish bird dog that found and pointed game
Breed history
The red bird dog from Ireland
The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland in the 1700s and 1800s to find game birds and point them for hunters. Early setters were often red and white; the solid red dog became famous in the 1800s. That job made a fast, joyful, people-loving dog.
Ireland, 1700s–1800s → bird dog
From red and white to solid red
Public breed histories describe Irish hunters keeping setters to find grouse and other birds.
The red and white type still exists as a separate breed. The solid red dog became a show and family favourite.
What the breed was bred for
Joyful, friendly and slow to grow up
In plain trainer language: Irish Setters love people, love running and stay playful for years.
The hard parts are running off, jumping up, pulling, restlessness and stealing food. Daily running, patient recall work and a taught settle help most.
- Daily running
- Patient recall practice
- A taught settle
- Regular brushing
Public references: FCI 120, AKC Irish Setter, RKC.
Life together
An Irish Setter’s day is speed, swimming and cuddles
Irish Setters need to run every day. Afterwards, most want to be close to their family.
Outdoors · profile
Always looking ahead
Setters notice birds first. Practise check-ins on walks.
See name check-in.
Patio · standing
Tall and elegant
A tall, food-keen dog can reach the kitchen counter.
See counter surfing.
Lake · shore
A lakeside walk
A long line keeps the dog safe near birds and water.
See long-line recall.
Water · fetch
Bringing it back
A retrieve that ends calmly helps the dog switch off.
See fetch that ends.
Care and health themes
Monthly checks: coat, ears, weight and belly
A trainer’s checklist, not veterinary advice. See a vet for ear smell, limping, a swollen belly after eating or low energy. For urgent signs, see when to call the vet.
Coat
Brush the long feathering a few times a week.
Ears
Check for seeds and smell.
Weight
Keep lean; feed on a steady routine.
Feet
Trim hair between the pads.
Health screening (not a diagnosis)
Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends, including DNA tests and hip scores, and see results for both parents.
Toxins
I do not publish toxin amounts. Call a vet or poison-control line if the dog eats something dangerous.
Lines and types
Show or field Irish Setter
Show setters are larger with a long, dark red coat. Field setters are lighter, faster and often a paler red.
Show lines
- Long, deep red coat.
- More grooming.
- Still very energetic.
- Slow to mature.
A glamorous, busy companion.
Field lines
- Lighter coat and build.
- Less grooming.
- Very high drive.
- Needs a lot of running.
Best for very active homes.
Socialization windows
What to introduce — and what not to overload — by age
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Bouncy baby
Introduce: name games, handling, brushing, toilet routine.
Do not overload: rewarding jumping.
Long-line freedom
Introduce: long-line recall, calm greetings, loose-lead walking.
Do not overload: off-lead near roads and birds.
Teenage zoomies
Introduce: settle, scent games, swimming.
Do not overload: endless running without rest.
Still growing up
Introduce: field work, canicross, hikes.
Do not overload: expecting adult calm too soon.
Joyful adult
Introduce: refreshed recall and settle.
Do not overload: too little running.
Before you buy
Who an Irish Setter usually fits
An Irish Setter suits active, cheerful people who want a friendly dog and have space for it to run.
Good match
More likely a good fit if you…
- Run, cycle or hike most days
- Have safe places for free running
- Like a dog that loves everyone
- Will brush regularly
- Can laugh through a long puppyhood
Mismatch risk
An Irish Setter may be a poor choice if…
- You want a calm dog quickly
- Long hours alone are routine
- Exercise time is short
- You want a guard dog
- Muddy, wet dogs upset you
If you are torn between breeds
Irish Setter vs English Setter and Gordon Setter
Irish Setters are compared with English and Gordon setters.
Colour
Irish Setter Solid red.
English Setter White with speckles.
Energy
Irish Setter Very high, bouncy.
English Setter High but gentler.
Colour
Irish Setter Red.
Gordon Setter Black and tan.
With strangers
Irish Setter Very friendly.
Gordon Setter Often reserved.
Running
Irish Setter Needs a lot.
Both compares All setters need room.
Ownership without surprises
What an Irish Setter costs to keep
Prices vary by country. These are the spending themes, not figures.
Grooming
Brushes and trims.
Health checks
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Secure field hire
Safe running space.
Long line and harness
Safe freedom.
Training
Classes and field clubs.
Insurance
Consider it early.
With an Irish Setter, safe running space is the biggest need.
Before day one at home
What to prepare for an Irish Setter puppy
An Irish Setter puppy is bouncy and friendly. Start calm greetings and naps early.
Calm greetings
See sit for greeting.
Enforced naps
See enforced naps.
Recall games
See the name game.
Gentle mouths
See biting and nipping.
Toilet routine
Follow potty training.
Short walks
See walk length by age.
If the dog is already yours
Training an Irish Setter means running first
Irish Setters learn fast with food and play, but focus comes after exercise.
My core list: recall, calm greetings, loose-lead walking and a settle.
Field work, canicross and swimming are great outlets.
Load balance
Run hard, then rest
A hard run and a taught settle suit most Irish Setters.
Run Swim Sniff Settle Sleep
Running, swimming, sniffing and a taught settle suit most Irish Setters.
An Irish Setter that runs every day is a sweet, funny family dog.
Settling
How to teach an Irish Setter to settle
After a run, reward calm on a mat and build the time slowly.
- 01
Run first
A good outing.
- 02
Bring out the mat
Same spot each time.
- 03
Reward calm
Quiet treats.
- 04
Add a chew
Something to do.
- 05
Build time slowly
A minute at a time.
One scene close-up
Why your Irish Setter cannot sit still
Irish Setters were bred to run across open country all day.
After exercise, reward quiet lying on a mat with calm treats.
Add a chew, and build the time a little each day.
Typical household scenes
Where Irish Setter owners most often need help
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Running off
Follows birds and scent.
Jumping up
Over-friendly greetings.
Pulling
Keen and fast.
Restlessness
Slow to switch off.
Counter surfing
Tall and food-keen.
Stealing
Carries off socks and shoes.
Alone time
Unsettled when left.
Sudden change
A swollen belly, limping or low energy — vet first.
Practical view
“With an Irish Setter, I plan the running first. We build long-line recall, calm greetings and a settle — because a red setter grows up slowly.”
Sessions cover real scenes: running off, jumping up, pulling on the lead, and restlessness. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Andrew Darov Professional dog trainer and instructor
WhatsApp consult Talk through your Irish Setter
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — running off, jumping up, pulling on the lead, or restlessness. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
FAQ
Is an Irish Setter a good first dog?
Yes for active, patient owners.
Are Irish Setters good with children?
Usually friendly; supervise bouncy play.
Do Irish Setters shed?
Moderately; brush regularly.
How much exercise does an adult need?
A lot: daily running.
When do Irish Setters calm down?
Often around two to three years.
Are they good guard dogs?
No; most love everyone.
Can an Irish Setter live in a flat?
Only with lots of daily running.
Can they be left alone?
Build alone time slowly.
What about health?
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends and see the parents' results.
What is the typical lifespan of an Irish Setter?
Public breed references often give about 12 to 15 years. Individual dogs vary.
Are red and white setters the same breed?
No; the Irish Red and White Setter is a separate breed.
If an Irish Setter’s energy is too much
If you want a friendly, long-coated family dog that is often a little calmer, consider this one.
Golden Retriever
A fetching, people-facing sporting dog whose gold coat does not lower the daily mileage.
English Cocker Spaniel
A merry, busy British spaniel that needs scent games, retrieve and trade practice, ear care and a taught settle.
Vizsla
An affectionate, sensitive Hungarian pointer that needs daily running, slow alone-time training and a taught settle.
Golden Retriever
Friendly, steady family retriever that loves people.
More Sporting group breeds
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
Labrador Retriever
A friendly, food-loving retriever that needs daily exercise, training and a job for its nose and mouth.
Lagotto Romagnolo
An Italian truffle and water dog. Needs daily nose work, curly coat care and settle skills — apartment-sized, not apartment-idle.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A clever, playful Canadian retriever that needs varied training, fetch games with an end and a taught settle.
Spinone Italiano
A gentle, patient Italian hunting dog with a rough coat that needs sniffing walks, kind training and kitchen manners.
Weimaraner
A strong, loyal German hunting dog with a sleek grey coat that needs hard daily exercise, slow alone-time training and solid recall.
Welsh Springer Spaniel
A loyal, active red and white Welsh spaniel that needs daily sniffing walks, slow alone-time training and calm social outings.
Need a read on your exact situation?
Describe your Irish Setter’s age and the scene that repeats most: running off, jumping up, pulling on the lead, or restlessness. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/irish-setter-guide/credits.md.