Irish setters are friendly and playful, making them great furry friends. But are Irish setter good family dogs? Do they get along well with children? How about other pets? This post explores everything you must know about the breed and how well they mix in with families.
What is an Irish Setter?
An Irish setter is a medium-sized canine, standing at least 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder. And it can weigh between 60 and 70 pounds, packing quite a punch. Completing its appearance with its long legs and neck, it’s no wonder this breed can hunt!
But the signature of any Irish setter is its luscious strawberry-colored coat. It comes in varying hues of red with a flat and straight (slightly wavy) coat at medium length. You can find longer hair on the dog’s hind legs, chest, and tail, adding a “shaggy” look.
Overall, Irish setters are elegant and ready to charge. But beware, the breed’s lips are pendulous, making them prone to drooling.
The Irish setter has a friendly and playful personality, getting recognition worldwide. But with its fun temperament comes tremendous responsibility, as caring for this energetic breed isn’t the easiest. Anyway, as long as you have the space and energy, you’ll be able to keep up with an Irish setter without issues.
The History of the Irish Setter
The Irish setter is one of the oldest dog breeds, initially bred for hunting birds. But it only became popular between the ’60s and ’70s, making it the youngest of the three AKC setter breeds. This breed, in particular, likely hailed from the English setter.
Irish hunters bred the centuries-old English setter to make the perfect hunting companion. They needed a fast and hard-working canine with a keen nose that’s hard to miss. And now you know why the Irish setter has such a brightly colored coat!
But that’s all in the past, as today, Irish setters have become well-loved pets.
What You Need to Know Before Getting an Irish Setter
Before adopting or buying an Irish setter as a family pet, you must know a few things. From health to the breed’s unique living needs, here’s all you need to know about Irish setters:
Health and Wellness
Irish setters are healthy dogs with few ailments, living up to 15 years. The most difficult health challenge this breed has is keeping up with exercise. After all, Irish setters are originally hunting dogs used to running around. And despite most living as domesticated pets today, Irish setters still pack a lot of energy!
Without enough activity, an Irish setter can develop weight issues fast. And this often leads to the most common ailment in the breed, hip dysplasia. Although not fatal, it can lead to arthritis over time, making life harder for your dog.Â
Aside from that, here are more common health issues to watch out for in Irish setters:
- Hypothyroidism. It’s the second most prominent medical condition in Irish setters. Although the symptoms vary, side effects include sudden weight gain, shedding, and fatigue.
- Epilepsy. Although rare, this can happen to Irish setters, often leading to seizures.
- Bloating (Gastric Dilation). GD or bloat is a fatal medical condition that swells up an Irish setter’s stomach. And when untreated, it can twist the dog’s gastrointestinal system, leading to death. Be wary of the signs of bloating and consult a vet ASAP once suspected.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This medical condition in dogs has no cure as it affects the photoreceptors and can lead to blindness over time. But you can make life more comfortable for an Irish setter by keeping it safe and nearby.
Some Irish setters may also be at risk for osteochondritis dissecans. It’s an ailment where the cartilage incorrectly develops in the dog’s shoulder joint. And you can expect this to pop up during your Irish setter’s first year of life.
Diet
Irish setters need at least 1.5 to 2.5 cups of quality kibble daily to grow healthy and well. But solely sticking to dry food isn’t the best idea — you need to balance it with natural foods. And here are some of the best for Irish setters:
- Any cooked meat, including chicken, turkey, pork, and lean beef.
- Fish are especially beneficial for Irish setters as it promotes a healthier coat.
- Boiled eggs, hard cheeses, and plain yogurts are acceptable as snacks in moderation.
Be careful about what you feed your Irish setter, as this breed is prone to sudden bloating. When untreated, this simple swelling can be fatal! So, if unsure, consult a vet to come up with the safest and healthiest diet for your Irish setter.
I recommend feeding your Irish setter, including snacks, once or twice a day. As tempting as it is to give scraps to your dog, don’t do it. Feeding your canine friend many times a day, paired with intense exercise, can lead to bloating.
Personality
Although Irish setters are famous for their looks, they’re also known for their fun personalities. These furry friends are renowned for their “rollicking” attitude. While clever, Irish dogs are the clownish rogues of dogs, possessing a lot of mischiefs!
Irish setters are so friendly and playful that you’d forget they’re hunting dogs. But thanks to this, these dogs can keep anyone entertained and on their feet every day. They get along well with humans and other dogs but struggle with other animals. After all, Irish setters are hunters!
So, if you want to introduce an Irish setter to a cat or other smaller house pets, socialize it first.
Finally, though Irish setters have an excellent attitude toward training, they quickly get bored. And they often want to be the alpha, and once you let them take advantage of you, you’ll struggle to control them. Hence, remember to discipline an Irish setter when training for the best results.
If not, prepare yourself for a hyperactive dog that chews, barks, or digs all day — every day.
Living With an Irish SetterÂ
Exercise and Training
Irish setters are still close to their hunting roots despite being house pets today. Hence, living with them can be challenging if you’re not ready for an active and energetic dog.Â
Alongside the walks and runs, training is crucial for this dog breed. Irish setters are intelligent furry friends who like to work, making them easy to train. But the issue is that these dogs get bored fast and often want to be the alpha. So, it would be best if you were strict and dominant while being patient while training them.
Another Irish setter trait you’ll need to deal with when living with the dog is stubbornness. Although this breed is the easiest to train among the setters, it’s still quite hard-headed. And when given a chance, Irish setters can be pretty manipulative.Â
So, as mentioned earlier, remind your Irish setter you’re the one in charge. But never scold or hurt the dog, as it’ll worsen its temperament.Â
Either way, once you’ve trained an Irish setter, they make some of the best family members.Â
Separation Anxiety and Stubbornness
That aside, separation anxiety is an issue you’ll deal with when living with an Irish setter. This breed often gets attached to its humans more than other dog breeds. And Irish setters don’t like being alone, with some panicking as fast as one hour.Â
If leaving an Irish setter alone is something you’ll need to do due to work, don’t think of getting one. After all, this can lead to the dog’s development of destructive behavior and habits.Â
Shedding
Since Irish setters have a medium-length and luscious coat, expect tons of shedding. This breed sheds a lot, so get your vacuum ready for daily cleaning up on clothes and furniture.
Guarding and SocializingÂ
Living with an Irish setter shouldn’t be an issue with other dogs and humans as the breed gets along with them fine. But it’s a different story with other house pets like cats, as this dog is originally a hunting breed. So, it’ll take some socialization from the Irish setter and pet before introduction.
Finally, if you want an Irish setter to guard your home, don’t count it. After all, as good as a hunter this breed is, it’s not the best guard dog. Although Irish setters might bark, that’s about it.Â
Living Needs
Besides the necessities of food, water, and shelter, any Irish setter NEEDS exercise. Remember, this breed is a hunting dog, making them quite active.
But if you’re ready to keep up with an Irish setter, taking them on occasional runs and daily walks is enough. Although they’re bred for more rigorous activities, those should be enough to keep them happy and tired. And this could be a fun routine for families with kids.
If you don’t give an Irish setter enough exercise, it can become destructive when bored.
Aside from exercises, Irish setters love having something to do. So, be creative with your daily runs with the dog and let it carry things in a dog vest or play fetch. These keep the Irish setter’s mind occupied while keeping its body in excellent condition.
With all these going on, you’re likely wondering — are Irish setter good family dogs?
Although there’s a massive emphasis on exercising, an Irish setter should fit well in any home with a fenced-in outdoor space. The dog should have enough space to run for at least an hour daily. And though fencing can secure an Irish setter on your property, never leave the dog alone for a long time.
Leaving Irish setters unattended can lead them to wander off, chasing after small wildlife. So, always supervise this breed when outdoors.
Grooming is also a living need essential for Irish setters. Coat care is a huge responsibility to keep the dog’s coat silky and tangle-free. You’ll need to brush an Irish setter’s coat daily to keep it in excellent condition.
But if you have an Irish setter from a show line, more extensive grooming is necessary. After all, these dogs have more profuse coats than those from field lines.
Meanwhile, you can do other grooming essentials like nail clipping and bathing every 1 to 3 months.
Are Irish Setter Good Family Dogs?
Now that you know what to expect when getting this breed, are Irish setter good family dogs? Irish setters make excellent family dogs — in the right family and situation.Â
As mentioned, they need regular exercise and, thus, a spacious outdoor area. And as much as you wish for it, living with an Irish setter in a cramped apartment isn’t ideal.
Moreover, it would be best if you were home more often to have an Irish setter as the family dog.Â
Also, note that Irish setters are slow to mature, meaning they’ll have an extended puppy stage. And they often reach maturation and act less rowdy around 18 months and beyond. But even if it helps an Irish setter calm down, it’ll still have a lot of energy to spare.Â
Once an Irish setter maturation, at a max of two years old, it should be able to control itself better. And by this time, you’ll be able to leave the dog with your kids without issues. An Irish setter should’ve figured out when it was appropriate to release its energy.
Luckily, Irish setters are easy to train, especially with the right tips in mind. After all, they’re dogs who like to please and should be able to pick up basic commands in no time. But keep training consistent and exciting to keep the Irish setter intrigued. If not, this breed can get bored fast, taking advantage of you.
Irish setters responded best to positive training methods, which can become a fun family activity. For instance, you can train the dog while you let your kids give it the prize.Â
Irish Setters and Kids
Most say the three core factors to picking a good family dog are energy, size, and personality. Although these are all subjective, they’re essential considerations you must make.Â
For instance, if an Irish setter’s energy isn’t something you mind, you may have to consider its size. After all, this breed can weigh up to 70 pounds, which isn’t the safest for children. Likewise, if you have a kid who gets scared easily, you wouldn’t want an energetic dog running around.Â
Luckily, Irish setters are friendly and are always happy to accompany humans. Their hunting roots make them jam-packed with energy, perfect for older kids. For those with kids in middle school or high school, this breed should be able to keep up with your child.
Energy aside, this breed’s loyalty makes them an excellent match for small kids. Irish setters are safe for younger children under supervision. And as energetic as this breed can be, they’re quite the cuddle bugs. Hence, you can see why many consider Irish setters as an all-around family dogs.
But you may find the Irish setter acting restless if your kids aren’t the most active and don’t get out much. After all, it’s a breed that needs constant activities and can’t tolerate sitting around.
Irish Setters and Other Animals (Pets)
Irish setters get along well with other dogs but aren’t the best with other animals. After all, they’re hunting dogs, often attacking smaller animals, like cats and birds. So, unless you’ve trained the Irish setter beforehand, it’ll chase after your other pets.Â
Aside from that, you’ll also need to introduce the Irish setter to your cats slowly. Remember, take it easy, as Irish setters can be unpredictable.Â
So, are Irish setter good family dogs? Overall, they can make fantastic family dogs if the family is ready to commit to them. With patience and training, any Irish setter is bound to make any family happier and more lively!
When to Reconsider Getting Irish Setters as Family Dogs?
As tempting as it is to have an Irish setter as the family dog, it can be challenging to raise it if you’re not ready. So, before you buy or adopt an Irish setter, here are considerations you must carefully check:
- You can’t provide the Irish setter enough exercise to keep it happyÂ
- You have small and young kids around
- The Irish setter’s exuberant jumping and running can be dangerous to children
- You can’t stay at home most of the time to keep your Irish setter satisfied
- Irish setters can be stubborn, often acting out when bored
- You can’t groom your Irish setter daily
Remember, the inheritance of temperament is more unpredictable than taking physical traits like shedding and size.Â
Avoiding these negative traits is possible when you adopt an adult Irish setter. But you can also get well-behaved Irish setter pups if you get them from the right breeder or adoption center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Irish setter good family dogs?
A: Among the setters, the Irish setter, alongside the English and Gordon setter, is the best family dog. While it thrives in the field, this dog also does at home. And thanks to the Irish setter’s calm temperament and playfulness, it makes an excellent dog for kids.
Q: At what age does an Irish setter calm down?
A: Irish setters will become calmer after reaching two years old. But some can begin acting more relaxed at 18 months, while others stay puppylike forever.Â
Q: Can I leave an Irish setter alone at home for a long time?
A: An Irish setter is prone to separation anxiety, so you can’t leave it alone for a long time. At most, you can leave the dog alone for two hours. But anything more than that can lead to destructive behavior and habits. So, the Irish setter isn’t the best for you if you’re often away from home.
Q: Do Irish setters often bite people?
A: Irish setters often nip, chew, herd, and lightly (playfully) bite people. It’s a natural habit of theirs, common during puppyhood. Although not aggressive behavior, this can be dangerous to small children. Therefore, always supervise your child with an Irish setter and train it early on.Â
Q: Does the Irish setter like to cuddle?
A: Irish setters love to cuddle with their favorite humans. And their attachment is often so deep that these dogs can develop separation anxiety fast.Â
Final Words
Are Irish setter good family dogs? Irish setters are fantastic family dogs as long as the family knows how to care for them. With patience, understanding, and tons of playtime, Irish setters make the best companions. So, set up ample space and get ready to exercise, and you and your family will be set up for success with this breed.
