Best Gear for Irish Setters
Irish Setters are energetic, playful, and affectionate dogs with a stunning mahogany coat. They thrive on exercise and outdoor adventures, making them ideal for active families.
Weight
60-70 lbs
Height
25-27 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Energy
High
Shedding
Moderate
Trainability
Stubborn
Life with a Irish Setter
Your Irish Setter will gallop through the front door carrying a stick the size of a small tree, look you in the face, and act as though this is completely normal behavior that requires no explanation.
Recall training will go great — right up until there's an interesting smell, a bird, another dog, a plastic bag, or literally anything else within a half-mile radius.
They consider themselves a lap dog well into adulthood. All 70 pounds of them will attempt to climb on you on the sofa, and the look of betrayal if you say no is devastating.
Your Irish Setter is either full-tilt zooming at warp speed or sleeping like they've run a marathon. There is no 'medium.' The transition between the two states takes about 45 seconds.
Something will go missing from your house — a hairbrush, a sock, a dish towel — and you will find it in the dog bed three days later. They are not destructive. They're collectors.
What Owners Say
“r/irishsetter owners say the same thing about their 7-year-olds that Labrador owners say about 8-month-old puppies: 'They're starting to settle down a little.' The Peter Pan phase is real, it's long, and somehow that's exactly what you signed up for.”
Games Irish Setters Actually Love
Field Quartering
In a safely fenced open area, run in a zigzag pattern and encourage your Setter to range ahead and sweep back to you. This mirrors their instinct to quarter open
Drag-and-Find Retrieve
Drag a feathered toy or treat-stuffed cloth across a field, then hide it behind a bush or in tall grass. Send your Setter to find it using scent. Irish Setters
Long-Distance Fetch Relay
With a partner or a ball launcher, run alternating long fetches across a large open space. Irish Setters were bred to cover vast distances alongside hunters on horseback —
Top Picks for Your Irish Setter
| Spec | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||||
PawBench Scoremethodology → | Durability 90 Engagement 78 Safety 81 Value 89 Owner Satisfaction 95 | Effectiveness 74 Ingredients 72 Vet Endorsement 74 Value 77 Owner Satisfaction 83 | Durability 79 Comfort 91 Adjustability 79 Value 78 Owner Satisfaction 88 | Durability 79 Comfort 85 Adjustability 76 Value 88 Owner Satisfaction 88 |
| Material | High-bounce natural rubber | — | 300D polyester with foam padding | Heavy-duty nylon with neoprene-padded handles |
| Size | Medium (2.5 inches, fits standard launchers) | — | — | — |
| Floats | Yes | — | — | — |
| Best For | Fetch, water play, high-energy dogs | — | — | — |
| Pack Quantity | 2 | — | — | — |
| Count | — | 90 soft chews | — | — |
| Key Ingredients | — | Glucosamine, Probiotics, CoQ10, Vitamins A/C/E | — | — |
| Flavor | — | Peanut Butter | — | — |
| Life Stage | — | All ages | — | — |
| NASC Certified | — | Yes | — | — |
| Size Range | — | — | XXS to XL (13–42 in chest) | — |
| Weight | — | — | 5.6–9.5 oz depending on size | — |
| Clip Type | — | — | Aluminum V-ring (front and back) | Zinc alloy swivel snap bolt |
| Closure | — | — | Two side-release buckles | — |
| Length | — | — | — | 6 ft |
| Width | — | — | — | 1 in |
| Reflective | — | — | — | Yes, full-length reflective stitching |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
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About the Irish Setter
Origin & Build
- •Irish Setters were developed in Ireland in the 18th century as field dogs, bred to locate game birds
- •They weigh 60 to 70 pounds and stand 25 to 27 inches tall, with a long, lean build
- •Their hallmark is a silky, moderately long coat in rich mahogany to chestnut red, with luxurious feathering
- •The breed's refined head, long muzzle, and soft, dark eyes give them an expression of gentle intelligence
Temperament
- •Irish Setters are relentlessly friendly, exuberant, and affectionate with virtually everyone they meet — family, strangers, other dogs,
- •They're enthusiastic to the point of being clownish, and their slow mental maturity means you'll have a puppy
- •Training works best with upbeat, positive methods and very short sessions since their attention span wanders easily
- •They're sensitive dogs who don't handle isolation well and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long
Exercise Needs
- •Irish Setters need at least 90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily, and more is almost always welcome
- •Running, swimming, hiking, and field trials are ideal activities that let them use their natural athleticism and birding
- •Without sufficient exercise, they become hyperactive, destructive, and difficult to live with — an under-exercised Irish Setter will
- •A securely fenced yard is highly recommended since their prey drive and nose can lead them far
Health Watch
- •The most significant health concerns are bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), hip dysplasia, and epilepsy, which occurs more frequently
- •Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, and osteosarcoma are also seen
- •Responsible breeders screen for hip, eye, and thyroid conditions
- •Irish Setters typically live 12 to 15 years with proper health management
Gear Tips
- A long-pin slicker brush and a stainless-steel greyhound comb are your core grooming tools — use them three to four times weekly
- A front-clip harness with padded straps works well for leash training since Irish Setters pull enthusiastically, and the smooth padding won't damage
- A slow-feeder bowl is highly recommended to reduce bloat risk — Irish Setters are fast eaters, and slowing them down can help
- Invest in a hands-free running leash with a waist belt since Irish Setters make outstanding running partners and the setup keeps both
- A large, supportive orthopedic bed helps protect joints from hip dysplasia — choose one with a washable cover since that long coat
- Pack a collapsible water bowl and a lightweight cooling vest for warm-weather exercise sessions; their dark coat absorbs heat and they can
Keep Them Happy
- Irish Setters need at least 90 minutes of real exercise daily — not a leash walk, but actual running. Without it, that
- Enroll in scent work or hunt test classes if possible. Irish Setters have a deeply ingrained bird-finding instinct — giving it
- Socialization is non-negotiable for the first two years. Irish Setters stay 'puppy-brained' longer than almost any other breed; consistent exposure to new
- Use training to build check-in habits early. Their instinct is to range away from you — teaching a reliable 'check in' recall
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much grooming does an Irish Setter need?
- Plan on brushing three to four times per week with a long-pin slicker brush and a greyhound comb, focusing on the feathered areas that mat most easily. Monthly baths with a gentle shampoo keep the coat clean and manageable. Many owners also trim the foot
- Are Irish Setters good with kids?
- Irish Setters are one of the best family breeds thanks to their gentle, playful nature and seemingly endless patience with children. Their size and exuberance mean they can accidentally knock over small toddlers, so supervision is smart during the puppy years. They genuinely thrive
- What's the best way to exercise an Irish Setter?
- Running, hiking, and swimming are the top activities since they match the breed's natural stamina and athleticism. A hands-free running leash setup works perfectly for joggers, while a long-line in a safe open field lets them stretch out at full speed. Aim for 90 minutes
- Do Irish Setters have a high risk of bloat?
- Yes, Irish Setters are a deep-chested breed with a significant risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), which can be fatal within hours. Using a slow-feeder bowl, feeding two smaller meals instead of one large one, and avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating are practical steps