Famous for their vibrant personalities and robust bodies, Irish setters are among the healthiest dogs around. But existing and future owners are likely wondering — how long do Irish setter dogs live?
These red-haired gundogs can live up to 15 years with proper care, love, and attention. And the best part is, setters don’t need much help to stay in top condition as they’re easy to train — making for reliable partners!
See how you can help your Irish setter outlive the norm and stay healthy as long as possible below:
An Overview of an Irish Setter’s Health
An Irish setter dog is a relatively healthy breed thanks to its dynamic nature and robust body! And the only challenge with this furry canine is keeping up with its exercise needs. If not met, Irish setters can succumb to weight issues — leading from one health problem to another.
As a result, you may accidentally contribute to shortening your pet’s lifespan!
Therefore, if you aren’t used to an active lifestyle, it’s time to change things for your Irish setter. And you don’t need to strain yourself with miles of running or jogging! After all, this loyal gundog will love going anywhere with you!
Whether it’s jogging around your neighborhood or playing fetch in your backyard, as long as you keep your pet going — you’re already helping it live longer.
But as athletic as this breed is, Irish setter dogs still have their fair share of health issues. So, be wary and don’t hesitate to contact the nearest when you suspect there’s something wrong with your flame-colored canine.
How Long Do Irish Setter Dogs Live?
Purebred Irish setter dogs can live up to 12 to 15 years when cared for well.
Hence, you can skew the norm in your favor. After all, when drilling down into the data, factors like neutering/spaying, diet, and what breeder you got your dog from impact an Irish setter’s life expectancy.
With proper diet, exercise, and love, you can set your red-haired setter to last to a venerable age! And you can further extend its lifespan by regularly bringing it to the vet.
But of course, some can prematurely die, so it all depends on how well you watch after your setter.
What are the Common Health Issues of an Irish Setter Dog?
Poor health impacts an Irish setter dog’s lifespan, and better health and care practices can go a long way! And an excellent first step is knowing the common health issues linked to the gundog, such as:
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (Bloating)
Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV), aka bloating, can be life-threatening to any setter. It’s a medical condition when the dog’s gut flips over on itself, closing all exits! As a result, gas caused by digestion gets trapped in the stomach, leading to swelling.Â
The intense inflammation causes several severe complications in your furry friend’s body. And when untreated, simple bloating can end in shock, organ failure, and eventual death. All these can happen to your Irish setter within a few hours!
Hence, it’s crucial to prevent bloating at all costs, and if it does happen, bring your pet to the vet ASAP. That said, here are foolproof ways to help your gundog stay bloat-free:
- Provide your Irish setter with a high-quality diet.Â
- Stop your dog from exercising right after a meal, and wait for at least an hour to let it play.
- Avoid giving one huge meal; feed your pet several smaller meals.
- Always place the food bowl on the floor!
- Include quality protein in your setter’s food, avoiding cheaper variations packed with fillers!
Hypothyroidism
Being one of the most vulnerable dog breeds to hypothyroidism, keeping an eye on your Irish setter’s weight is essential. Sudden weight gain paired with cold intolerance or lethargic behavior can signify this debilitating condition. And when untreated, this can prove to be fatal to your pet!
Hence, contact a vet ASAP once you suspect your setter to have hypothyroidism for fast treatment.
Megaesophagus
Megaesophagus is a condition referring to a setter’s gullet ‘lacking’ tone. As a result, any food your dog eats doesn’t get pushed along, instead pooling in its neck! And you can see why this can be dangerous for your pet.Â
Unfortunately, the Irish setter is vulnerable to this hereditary condition, as it can get it from its parents. Symptoms of this possibly fatal medical phenomenon are the following:
- Delayed growth
- Continual regurgitation of food
- The incapability of gaining weight
- Constant coughingÂ
Untreated megaesophagus can shorten your gundog’s lifespan, often leading to fatal aspiration pneumonia.
Although treatment for megaesophagus in setters is limited, you can help ease the side effects by doing the following:
- Feeding your Irish setter in an upright position, where its head is above its heart.Â
- Hand feeding it bite-sized pieces of wet canned food.
- Keeping your furry friend upright for at least 15 minutes after a meal.
Gluten Malabsorption Syndrome
Another hereditary medical condition common in Irish setter dogs is gluten malabsorption syndrome. As its name suggests, it gives your canine gluten intolerance, often leading to diarrhea and sudden weight loss.
You can fight off GMS by giving your setter a 100% gluten-free diet, keeping its health pristine.Â
EpilepsyÂ
Although uncommon in Irish setter dogs, neurological disorders can still happen to them! And one of the more prevalent neurological conditions the breed develops is epilepsy. It’s not fatal, but the seizures that occur along it can take a toll on your pet’s daily life.
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis dissecans is a common joint condition among large dog breeds. And this can happen to an Irish setter during growth spurts in its first year of living! This bone condition forces your dog’s shoulder joints to develop incorrectly.Â
Although not life-threatening, osteochondritis dissecans can be debilitating to your setter. After all, it can affect its mobility, leaving pain and difficulty in moving. Luckily, surgical intervention is available for this condition.
Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD)
The last medical ailment for Irish setters is canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD). It’s a genetic condition causing immunodeficiency, attacking pups. After all, they can’t fight infections very well due to their developing systems.Â
As a result, CLAD may cause your setter pup to die early from something as trivial as a superficial infection.
Unfortunately, there’s no treatment for CLAD, and the best thing you can do is avoid the condition by adopting a setter bred from parents without the dangerous gene! And you can find this out by conducting a genetic test on the young pup or its parents.
Additional Tips to Guarantee Your Irish Setter Dog’s Health
Although we can’t guarantee how long our Irish setter dogs live, we can help them stay healthier and happier. As with any breed, keeping them in pristine health can extend a setter’s life expectancy! And here are a few ways you can help do just that for your flame-colored dog:
✔️ Consider Neutering or SpayingÂ
Neutering or spaying your setter can do wonders for its health. After all, besides toning down its sexual and aggressive tendencies, these surgical procedures can prolong the breed’s lifespan!Â
For instance, studies have proven that spayed or neutered dogs tend to have lower serum thyroid hormone levels. And this can help your setter avoid developing hypothyroidism — which is prevalent in its breed.Â
Therefore, consider this surgical procedure if you have no plans to breed your Irish setter. It’ll make the energetic gundog more manageable and guarantee a longer life. But always consult a vet first to see if your furry friend is fit for the surgery.Â
✔️ Keep Your Setter’s Weight Under Control
Despite being active dogs, Irish setters are prone to weight issues. Not meeting their exercise needs make these lanky canines vulnerable to obesity. And this alone can lead to heart disease, joint pain, and diabetes — all dangerous for your dog’s health!
Moreover, studies involving two groups of dogs (a lean and overweight one) concluded that those in the thin group lived an average of 2 to 3 years longer! And they were able to stay healthier longer too.
You don’t have to sacrifice hours of your day by walking, running, or jogging miles with your Irish setter, as there are many fun activities you both can do at home. These keep your dog entertained, fit, and happy!
✔️ Embrace Preventative Healthcare to Help Your Irish Setter Dog Live Longer
Keeping your Irish setter dog in pristine health and extending its lifespan is now one call away from the vet, thanks to modern medication. Your pet doesn’t need to succumb to life-threatening yet trivial medical conditions anymore. From heartworm to parvovirus — these are all avoidable with the proper treatment!
Luckily, preventive healthcare is accessible to most veterinary clinics. And all you need to do is schedule an appointment with your preferred vet and ask for your setter’s most suitable healthcare package.Â
If you’re unsure where to begin, an excellent starting point often includes the following:
- Deworming. This simple procedure protects your red-haired canine from all worms, including tapeworms and hookworms.
- Vaccination. Get your Irish setter vaccinated against common diseases in dogs like parvovirus and rabies. And you can request non-core vaccines for canine infectious diseases prevalent in your area.
- External parasites. Combat fleas and ticks by requesting an efficient de-flea treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do Irish setter dogs live with health issues?
A: Even the unhealthiest Irish setters can thrive and live beyond 15 years with proper medical care. As long as you provide a nutritious and balanced diet to your furry friend and help it stay active, it should live like any healthier peer.Â
Q: Does an Irish setter have many health problems?
A: Irish setter dogs should be very healthy when bred by a reliable breeder. But common medical issues to look out for in this breed are hip dysplasia and eye disorders. When you spot discrepancies with your red-haired pet, please bring it to the vet ASAP!
Q: Will Irish setters live long enough for a family with kids?
A: A red setter can live up to 15 years, making it a popular pick among families. Aside from that, this breed is amiable, loving, and playful — never running out of energy! After all, setters are gundogs bred to withstand strenuous activities and have optimal health.
Q: What should I do when my Irish red setter dies?
A: Once your Irish setter dog passes away, call your vet ASAP. They’ll be able to take care of your deceased pet’s body and either dispose of it or store it for you before you decide on how to part ways. Whether you bury or cremate your setter, the vet should be the first contact person if your dog dies.
Q: What’s the most nutritious and balanced diet to help my active Irish setter live longer?
A: Any active breed needs great quality protein sources in their diet to keep up with their energy and health. Opting for high-quality cuts like chicken, pork, beef, or lamb is best to support your setter’s growth and development.
Final Words
How long do Irish setter dogs live? With consistent care, diet, and attention — these furry gundogs can live up to 15 years. And sometimes, they can outlive the norm, with the oldest setter living beyond 20 years old on record! Regardless of how long your furry friend lives, please make the most of it and treasure every second you have!
