Irish Setters – When Do They Stop Growing?

Red Irish Setters are among the greatest family dogs available. They are well-known for their patience. Irish Setters are terrific adult companions and are calm and lively enough to be ideal playmates for children. 

The coat of an Irish Setter is its most distinguishing trait. They are rich mahogany or deep chestnut color. Their hair is long and fine, with feathering at the ends and a thick undercoat in the winter. That means Irish setters’ hair has to be brushed frequently to be clean and tangle-free. They shed particularly in the spring when their undercoat begins to thin.

Many people wonder when Irish Setters finish growing. It might be tough to tell because each dog goes through a distinct developmental stage.

When Do Irish Setters Stop Growing?

Irish setters normally achieve their peak height by 10-12 months but will carry on to gain weight gradually until they are approximately 12-18 months old. Most Irish setters reach a height of 24-28 inches and a weight of 55-75 pounds, depending on the gender. 

A growth chart may help you compare how your Irish Setter is developing and how far they have come. The averages are shown in the graph. Some setter pups may be a bit delayed or even ahead of schedule, which is entirely normal.

Keep in mind that not all setters will reach their maximum weight. Others may be lighter than others and so seem to lag on the chart.

Factors Influencing Your Irish Setter’s Growth

🐾 Genetics

Without a doubt, genetics and blood lineage are the most important factors. Some setters are born bigger or smaller than others. This is because their parents are either larger or smaller than usual. 

Setters with a tougher working history typically expand to be larger and stronger. This is because of their ongoing workload. This can occasionally result in a strain of especially big setters. Particularly if the breeders have used selective breeding. 

If you continue to breed exclusively huge setters with other large setters, you will produce more large setters.

🐾 Dietary Quality

The quality of their nutrition would come next. Diet and nutrition are highly essential and can have a significant impact on their development potential. Diet may be a lengthy and complicated subject. It is critical to concentrate on the last point. 

You may have picked an excellent kibble that will undoubtedly supply all of the nutrients required for a rapidly developing puppy, but it won’t matter if they aren’t digesting it properly. Maldigestion or malabsorption will deprive your puppy of important nutrients. And may effectively stifle growth.

🐾 Adequate Sleep and Recuperation

It is critical that your setter gets enough sleep. At the same time, it is vital not to overexert them. Their bones, joints, and muscles will grow quickly while they are young. 

This generally entails a lot of sleep and healing time. That is why pups may sleep for up to 18 hours every day. It is critical not to disturb your pup when they are sleeping. 

Although this is simple for us to grasp. And, aside from genetics, food, and the amount of rest they get, there isn’t much else that influences their growth.

Helping Your Irish Setter Eat Better for Growth

✔️ Combine Dry and Wet Food

This is great for picky eaters since it adds calories and vitamins. You may improve their overall nutrition by mixing in a tiny bit of wet dog food with their dry kibble. It’s critical to substitute a small amount of kibble for the wet dog food; otherwise, you’ll be putting much too many calories. 

Wet dog is extremely nutrient-dense, with a high protein and fat content. It is more appealing to them. The meat is more natural and includes considerably fewer preservatives and chemicals. It’s a keeper. 

Many dry kibbles have the same wet dog food equivalent. As a result, that is typically the greatest alternative for you to attempt.

✔️ Use Plain-Cooked Beef and Unsalted Meat Broth

If you don’t want to try wet dog food, this is your next best alternative. If you add some more plain cooked beef and some unsalted meat broth, you should be able to solve finicky eating concerns nearly instantly. Their ordinary dry kibble will come to life thanks to the delectable beef juice and wetness. 

You also receive the advantage of high-quality protein and more calories. This is very beneficial for setters. Extra protein and calories assist replenish dogs that get a lot of activity throughout the day. It can also assist with weight growth and muscle building.

✔️ Add Peanut Butter 

Peanut butter is another excellent source of nutritious calories for your Setter. Peanut butter has been shown to be safe for kids to consume. As long as it doesn’t have a high salt content. 

However, to rule out peanut allergies, always test a tiny quantity first. Peanut butter is an excellent replacement for the previous selection. Some setters are allergic to common allergens.

Adding extra chicken or the beef stock may not be the best solution. And because peanut butter is heavy in calories, it’s better to start with a single tablespoon every other day. In addition, keep track of their eating patterns as well as the scales.

✔️ Consider Switching Kibbles

If you feel your Setter isn’t getting along with their kibble, it’s time to try something else. It is critical to utilize only premium kibbles from renowned companies. The quality of components in kibble can have a significant influence on your setter’s health. 

To avoid stomach irritation, choose a reputed brand that contains entire ingredients and no artificial preservatives. Avoid high carbohydrate diets since they frequently create a lot of inflammation and are a traditional symptom of poor quality.

It may also be important to avoid kibbles made from chicken, beef, lamb, or pork. Despite their popularity, they are all allergens that cause stomach distress in many people. Choose a high-quality kibble with salmon, duck, or turkey as the primary protein source, as they are often simpler to digest. 

To go one step beyond. You may even try a sensitive stomach kibble. Whatever you decide, be sure it is designed for large working breeds. That way, the calories, protein, and fat will be sufficient.

✔️ Time-Restricted Eating

If you know your setter gets along well with his kibble and they’re simply being picky. You can experiment with time-restricted eating. This involves taking their food dish away around 10 minutes after you place it down. This may surprise your setter at first. 

However, it will demonstrate to them that food will not be accessible whenever they want it. In between, avoid any sweets and table leftovers. Your setter’s survival intuitions should have improved by the following mealtime, especially if they didn’t touch their last food. 

Again, only 10 minutes before removing it. You can safely do two removals; if they do not eat on their third attempt, contact your veterinarian.

It does, as many owners say, work. It also activates their survival instincts, according to behavioral specialists. So the next time it arrives, they consume it without complaint. Some owners claim that this procedure rapidly cures finicky eating habits and lasts for several months. 

They made no changes to the kibble or anything else. This should be done only if you are certain there are no underlying health concerns and your setter is finicky for no reason.

Tips for Caring for a Growing Irish Setter

👍🏻 Vaccinations

When you get your Irish Setter puppy. They will have had some of the immunizations for which the breeder is accountable. They will, however, require additional check-ups and vaccines to ensure that they are up to date on all they require. 

Make sure you know which ones they will require and when they will require them. Find a reliable veterinarian to take your puppy to for routine puppy exams and vaccines, and stick to the prescribed schedule.

👍🏻 Crating

Your Irish Setter will be quite interested in their fresh surroundings. They will want to dig and discover. However, because they are most likely not housebroken, they will have accidents wherever they are allowed to roam. 

It’s a good idea to have a box waiting for them when they are at home. This is to keep them contained while they are being housebroken and taught where they can and cannot go. Crates also assist prevent your possessions from getting chewed up, as chewing is one of their favorite activities.

👍🏻 Consistent Training

It is usually important to be consistent with your Irish Setter puppy’s training. The more you work with him and repeat what they should do, the faster they will learn. 

Sporadic training simply confuses your dog, and if you wait too long between sessions, they will rapidly forget. This will simply aggravate both you and your pet.

👍🏻 Outdoor Exercise

Irish Setters are huge kinds of dogs that require plenty of activity to stay fit and happy. Starting at a young age, it is critical to take them outside numerous times a day for recreation and exercise. A pet that is not exercised is a bored dog. And this might lead to issues with destructive behavior in the household. 

Playtime is also an excellent opportunity to educate your puppy on how to play softly. Play rough with your puppy and avoid chewing and playing with your hands. They identify the hand with something they can bite or chew, which might lead to further problems. When it comes to fun, only use dog-specific toys.

👍🏻 Leash Train

Large breeds of dogs can be difficult to control while on a leash. As a result, it is critical that you begin training them early on how to walk on a leash and exhibit excellent leash behavior. When your dog sees their leash and wants to go outdoors, never let them jump on you. 

Demand that they sit quietly while you connect the leash to their collar and walk them out the door. When your dog jumps through the front door ahead of you, they will begin to believe they are the pack leader. When you, in fact, are. Not your dog, but you, should always be in command.

👍🏻 Socialize

Irish Setters are reputed to be well-mannered dogs. They have generally positive attitudes and behaviors. They are renowned to be wonderful family dogs, largely because they get along well with children and other pets in general. 

However, they are hunting dogs, and Irish Setters are known to see tiny creatures as prey. As a result, it is critical that you socialize your puppy early on to teach them how to behave with other dogs. Small animals, in particular, and even children. 

Whatever scenarios you have your dog in, whatever you want them to develop positive habits for. Begin exposing them to these events and places as early as possible so that they can mature into well-mannered adult dogs.

👍🏻 Grooming

Irish setters have long, silky coats that must be groomed. It is essential that you begin grooming early so that they become accustomed to being handled during showers and other activities. 

You don’t want to have to deal with an unruly dog at the grooming salon because you delayed too long to start grooming them. The earlier you introduce kids to grooming activities, the better. The more they accept being groomed on a regular basis, the better.

Interesting Irish Setter Facts

➖ They have a Long and Silky Coat

Irish Setters are easily identified by their characteristic red or chestnut coat color. And because this coat is so smooth, it must be brushed frequently. They also have a thick undercoat that protects them from cold winter temperatures, but their topcoat is weak. 

Many portions of their body, including the tail, ears, breast, and legs, have feathery coats. Everything combined makes identifying the look of this magnificent dog breed rather simple.

➖ They are not Fond of Little Pets

Because this breed was initially employed as a gundog, they are excellent hunters. Their natural prey is tiny animals such as birds, ducks, and quails. Even though they make excellent companions and get along well with other dogs, they generally dislike the company of other small pets like cats. 

Their natural hunting instincts may prevail. These dogs are classified as “demonstrably loving,” which implies they actively seek the companionship of people and other animals.

➖ They Like to Stay Busy

They were bred as hunting dogs, thus they were trained to conduct their daily work for generations. As a result, this dog breed needs a lot of open areas to run around in as well as activities to keep them active. This also implies that they get bored easily. 

As a result, they are unsuitable for spending the entire day in the house or even in the garden. Boredom caused by a lack of activity and human connection in this breed may lead to destructive behavior.

➖ They didn’t Start out Being Red

The majority of their skin tones are white, with the exception of any spots. They are usually red and do well with everyone. The original dogs were said to be white with red or chestnut marks. 

Selective breeding caused the dog to become increasingly multicolored and less white. Eventually, the white will fade altogether.

➖ They are Show and Working Dogs

Irish Setters are classified into two types: display dogs and working dogs. Show dogs are significantly larger and heavier than working dogs. They may weigh as much as 25 pounds.

➖ They are Friendly

Aside from being employed as hunting dogs and pets. This dog breed is beneficial for a number of purposes. One of the most vital applications is in schools and hospitals as therapy dogs. This is due to their cheerful demeanor and companionship, which puts youngsters and patients at ease and relaxes them. 

This also implies that they are ineffective as guard dogs. They are simply too nice to recognize the danger and would rather welcome the invader than chase it away.

➖ Irish Setters Mature More Slowly

Irish setters take a long time to develop. This means that their physical development usually outstrips their behavioral development. The result is young, full-grown dogs with a good amount of “puppy energy.” 

Irish setters evolve into clever dogs over time, though they frequently retain obstinate inclinations.

➖ They are Hunters

Irish setters who participate in dog shows are generally distinguishable from those used for hunting, although being the same breed. Show dogs are usually bigger and heavier, with thicker, shinier coats. Gun dogs are smaller and sleeker in order to be more agile in the field.

➖ They were Available in a Wide Range of Hues

Serious breeding operations are expected to transform the Irish Setter’s coat into a red or chestnut hue. It was developed in the 18th and 19th centuries, giving rise to the breed’s current coat. 

By 1845, they were characterized as “quite crimson or red and white.” This suggests that the efforts to dye the dog breed’s coat red or chestnut were successful. By the end of the nineteenth century, the white in the dog’s coat had vanished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Irish setters suitable as family dogs?

A: Yes. Irish Setters are ideal for busy families that like to take their dogs on a variety of experiences. This is due to the fact that Irish Setters have enough energy to last a lifetime. Younger children and toddlers may not be a good match for an Irish Setter.

Q: What size will my Irish Setter grow to be?

A: Irish setters are medium-sized dogs that stand 25 to 27 inches tall and weigh 60 to 70 pounds. They seem tall and graceful, with relatively long legs and long necks.

Q: What exactly is a white Irish setter?

A: Early Irish setters were available in red or red and white. Later on, though, breeders began to concentrate solely on red Irish Setters. Red and white setters are now classified as a distinct breed from their red Irish Setter relatives. And they have comparable traits. Their smooth white coat with vivid crimson spots is their most distinguishing trait.

Q: How long does an Irish Setter take to mature?

A: Irish Setters take a long time to develop. Some dogs mature by the age of two, while others stay puppylike throughout their lives. Irish Setters are naturally inquisitive and will investigate whatever they can locate or reach.

Q: Where should I go to get an Irish setter?

A: A responsible breeder is the greatest location to acquire a healthy dog of any breed. Try to avoid puppy mills and pet retailers. It is also critical that your breeder does responsible genetic disease testing on his breeding dogs. This is to guarantee that you get a healthy dog.

Final thoughts

The Irish Setter’s vibrant and active disposition, although tenacious and mischievous, may not be for everyone. But if their attractiveness can entice you once, they will entice you every day of your life. As with any dog, it is wise to do your homework before deciding whether the Irish Setter is perfect for you. 

But consider whether you and your lifestyle are suitable for an Irish Setter. If you enjoy being active, have plenty of tolerance, and have a good sense of humor, you and your Irish Setter could get along just fine.