Are you considering adopting an Irish setter? With their luscious coats and unmatched energy, many are curious about these red-haired beauties. So, what are Irish setter dogs like?
They’re fun and bright dogs with tedious needs, requiring hours of daily exercise and tons of food! But all your hard work will pay off as you get a loyal and loving pet in exchange — giving you an irreplaceable companion.
See the distinct characteristics of this breed below, alongside a brief history check and what it will be like living with them:
A Brief History of the Irish Setter: Where Did this Breed Come From?
Irish setters are the last AKC-certified setter breeds, hailing from the English setter. Their ancestors, the smaller Spanish hunting dogs, have been around since the 1500s. And they reached Ireland thanks to the Spanish Armada supporting the Irish during their rebellion against the British.
People bred them to act as quick working dogs that can keep up with an Irish hunter’s routine. They retrieved birds during hunts, crouching over their prey while allowing the hunter to net between them. And as timed pass, breeders made taller red- and white-coated dogs that we all know as the Irish setter around the 1800s.
Despite being around for centuries, this breed remains relevant to this day, making it a popular family pet.
What are Irish Setter Dogs Like?
Irish setters are like the embodiment of sunshine and happiness in dog form. These gundogs are most famous for their bright red coats and personalities! Although initially hunting dogs, they’ve become a popular family pet today. And it’s all due to their sweet temperament — getting along well with people and animals alike.
Partisans often describe this majestic breed to be one of the most beautiful. And standing over two feet at the shoulder, this setter boasts a massive yet elegant stature. Completing all these is the canine’s signature bright chestnut, red, or mahogany coat.
Beauty aside, the Irish dog’s lovable personality is one of its signature features, endearing hunters and casual pet owners for over two centuries!
Here are the in-depth characteristics of Irish setters for a better understanding:
🔵 They’re Medium- to Big-Sized Dogs
Considering they’ve been bred to be hunting dogs, it’s not surprising to see Irish setters be relatively large. Generally, a male setter has a standing height of 27 inches at its shoulder and weighs around 70 pounds. Meanwhile, its female counterparts stand at 25 inches and weigh 60 pounds or less.
🔵 They’re Fun, Energetic, and Loyal
When people think about what Irish setter dogs are like, many gravitate toward their temperament. After all, this breed is famous for being fun, loving, affectionate, and playful. This furry friend always seems eager for a rollicking fantastic time!
You may wonder how such a massive hunting dog manages to be so friendly and energetic. Well, this breed is one of the slowest to mature, retaining its puppy phase several years later than its peers. And some even keep this trait throughout their lives. Hence, setters can also be mischievous and develop destructive habits when it doesn’t exert enough energy!Â
Regardless, it’s safe to say this breed is incredibly outgoing, preferring having something to do instead of lazing around. And this isn’t surprising if you look back at its roots of being a gundog.
Despite their playful nature, this breed doesn’t do well in guarding. At most, it protects you from immediate danger inflicted by strangers, but that’s it. Instead, Irish dogs make for excellent watchdogs, warning you of potential intruders.
🔵 They’re Gentle Toward Kids and Other Pets
As previously mentioned, Irish setters have some of the best personalities a dog can have. So, it’s unsurprising to see them being incredible toward children and other pets. But remember, this breed has a more significant stature and can harm young kids. Therefore, always keep an eye out for your red-coated friend and never leave it alone with your toddler.
With that, it’s also helpful to teach your kids how to approach and touch your setter. Let them understand to never go near the large canine during mealtimes, when it’s sleeping, etc.Â
Kids aside, Irish dogs also do well with other pets, whether cats, birds, or other canines. But be careful when introducing this breed to pet birds as its instincts may kick in, considering it’s originally bred to hunt them.
🔵 They’re Healthy But Have their Share of Common Ailments
Generally, Irish setter dogs are healthy — living up to a long time, often up to 15 years! Still, like any other canine, they’re also vulnerable to specific health issues. Although not all setters will contract these diseases, it’s still crucial for YOU to be aware of them.
Here are the most common ailments to watch out for in Irish dogs:
Hip Dysplasia
It’s a hereditary condition where the setter’s thigh bone doesn’t fit well into its hip joint. Although debilitating, this condition doesn’t inflict obvious symptoms on your red-coated pet.
Although it’s a heritable disease, hip dysplasia can also come from environmental factors, like fast growth caused by an imbalanced diet or physical trauma from jumping or falling on slippery floors.
When untreated, hip dysplasia can cause arthritis in your Irish setter as it ages.Â
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism in canines is debilitating, making daily more difficult for your setter. It refers to the dangerously low level of hormone produced by your dog’s thyroid gland, accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Lethargy
- Obesity
- Irregular heat cycles
- InfertilityÂ
- Coarse and brittle fur
- Thinning of the coat
- Tougher and darker skin
Luckily, this medical condition is treatable with daily canine medication, but the downside is that your furry friend will have to take them for their whole life. Anyway, as long as your pet receives its daily treatment, it should be able to live a happy and everyday life.Â
Epilepsy
Epilepsy in Irish setter dogs can either be hereditary or come from metabolic disorders and infectious diseases affecting their brains, causing mild to severe seizures. And you can distinguish seismic activities from normal brash behavior by checking for unusual staggering, hiding, and chasing.
As scary as seizures are, the long-term prognosis for this breed is excellent. And you’ll be able to help your red-haired dog handle it with proper medication.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
HOD hails from excess protein and calcium levels, affecting young setters between 4 and 8 months. And this can cause lameness alongside joint inflammation, lethargy, and appetite loss. When untreated, it can be fatal to your Irish dog.Â
This medical condition is tricky to diagnose in setters, so let your vet know as soon as you suspect HOD. It’s treatable with steroids, pain relievers, and antibiotics.
Gastric Torsion
Bloating, as unproblematic as it sounds, can be life-threatening to all dogs, regardless of the breed. And this, of course, includes your Irish setter dog. But in this case, there’s a higher chance of developing gastric torsion as it’s more prevalent among big and deep-chested canines.
Avoid feeding your setter one huge meal daily. Instead, divide your dog’s meals into balanced and controlled portions to avoid bloating.Â
If you’re looking to buy an Irish setter dog, ensure you get one from a reputable breeder. And you can confirm their legitimacy by asking for the pup’s parents’ health clearances.Â
For this breed, look for health clearances from the OFA for hip or elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand’s diseases, and hypothyroidism. And another from CERF to confirm clear vision.
🔵 They Require Much Care and Activity
As fun and rewarding as raising an Irish setter dog is, they also come with challenges you and other owners can likely relate to. And so, if you’re curious about what it’s like to raise this giant red-haired beauty, it can be tiring! After all, this breed requires much exercise, often needing 1 to 2 hours of activity daily.
Hence, the best home for these gundogs are ones with large outdoor areas. But ensure these enclosures are fenced as these dogs are prone to wandering off! After all, it’s in their instinct.Â
As active as setters are, this breed still needs to live indoors with you! Therefore, never leave it alone in a kennel or outside for its safety and your peace of mind.
You don’t have to go on strenuous runs or jogs to keep up with this canine’s needs. After all, you can do it in various ways, such as playing fetch or biking!
Before planning your Irish dog’s daily exercise routine, you must note that different ages have various requirements. For instance, setters from 8 weeks to 4 months only need to exercise for 15 to 20 minutes once or twice a week. Meanwhile, those aged 4 to 6 months should undergo obedience classes alongside regular daily exercise.
Finally, those six months and beyond need at least an hour of exercise daily to keep the gundog fit and happy.Â
If you’re struggling to keep your setter on track, you can switch rewards and activities to keep it engaged.
🔵 They Have HUGE AppetitesÂ
Due to their considerable stature and strong personalities, it’s no wonder Irish setters have such massive appetites. You must feed this breed at least 2 to 3 cups of top-quality kibble daily! But be careful when planning your furry friend’s meal times, as its dietary needs will depend on size, age, metabolism, activity levels, and build.Â
After all, an active setter will need more food than a lazier and less active one. Regardless, I recommend measuring your dog’s food and feeding it twice or thrice a day instead of leaving its food out. It helps keep your red-haired pet in shape, avoiding overeating and bloating.Â
🔵 They Need Frequent Grooming
Aside from keeping up with its activity levels, one of the most challenging aspects of having an Irish setter dog is its grooming needs. After all, all that bright and luscious fur will need as much care and maintenance!Â
Hence, you’ll need to brush this red-haired beauty at least once every other day to keep its coat pristine. Check for debris every time you let your Irish dog go out to avoid tangles, mats, and burrs. Luckily, you don’t need to bathe your setter as often as you need to brush it, as it can keep itself relatively clean.
So, unless your setter rolls in mud or any other stinky place, it won’t need a bath.Â
Although you can bathe this breed more often than necessary, you must note that its skin and coat are prone to drying. Body and coat aside, your Irish setter’s ears are another part you need to groom often. After all, their floppy ears are prone to infections, requiring weekly cleaning and wiping.Â
Living with Irish Setters
Living with Irish setter dogs is like any other breed, but you must focus on grooming and exercise a lot here. Other than these, regular care and feeding should suffice for this canine.
Exercise is crucial for this dog as setters are still close to their hunting roots. And they need to participate in plenty of activities to stay fit and happy. Alongside the regular walks or runs, training is necessary for you to handle this bright and hardworking canine. You’ll need to be patient yet firm, as Irish dogs tend to be stubborn.
Aside from that, early socialization is vital for this breed as it’s pretty shy to kids and other pets alike.
But don’t count on this dog to guard your home, as it’s a naturally friendly breed. At most, your Irish setter might do an alarm bark — but that’s it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an Irish setter challenging to raise?
A: Irish setters, despite their massive statures, are late bloomers, making them a little challenging to raise. After all, this breed will stay in its puppy phase for a while, requiring tedious training! Luckily, it’s easy to train, and even first-time owners should be able to handle it well.
Q: Is it all right to leave an Irish/red setter alone?
A: At most, you can leave your setter alone for an hour or two. But anything beyond this isn’t advisable, considering how vulnerable the dog is to separation anxiety. And once you let it succumb to this, it can develop destructive habits over time. Therefore, think twice if you want to adopt this canine if you need to leave it often!
Q: What are Irish setter dogs like with kids?
A: Being a popular family pet, it’s unsurprising to see setters interact well with kids, no matter how young! They’re sweet-tempered and know when to control their strength when playing, keeping themselves and those around them safe. Still, leaving this canine around small children isn’t advisable, considering it’s relatively large.Â
Q: Are setters cuddly and clingy?
A: Irish setters are needy dogs that love giving and receiving affection from those around them. And they can become very cuddly and clingy, making them vulnerable to separation anxiety.
Q: What must I know before getting an Irish setter dog as a pet?
A: Setters are energetic and high-maintenance, requiring at least 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise. If not met, this breed can become lazy and obese, affecting its health. Aside from that, it can also develop destructive habits over time, posing a risk to itself and those around it.
Final Words
Now that you know what are Irish setter dogs like, you’ll be able to decide better if this breed is for you. Regardless, these giant red-coated beauties are some of the most loving and loyal dogs you’ll find. So, whether you’re looking for a furry friend for your kids or want an active companion — this canine is for YOU!
