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.
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
What changes your buying decision for a Irish Setter
Most gear advice is breed-agnostic. These are the 5traits on this breed’s profile that actually change which product is the right one — each one read straight off the stats above.
Breed profile
Walk gear is a fit decision, not a brand decision
A harness that fits is the one that stays put and stops rubbing. Girth varies far more between individual dogs than between Irish Setters and any other breed, so measure before you buy rather than ordering the size on the breed chart.
Weight · 60-70 lbs
Large sizing decides the bed and the crate
At 60-70 lbs a Irish Setter sits in most brands' large band — but "Large" is a marketing word, not a measurement. Buy to the manufacturer's stated weight rating and the dog's measured length, because the same label covers very different sleeping surfaces from one brand to the next.
Shedding · Moderate
Weekly brushing, not daily
Moderate shedding is a weekly-brush commitment. A slicker brush plus a metal comb covers it; the specialist deshedding tools are aimed at heavier coats than this one.
Energy · High
Buy toys for replacement cost, not novelty
High energy sets the toy budget: chase-and-fetch toys and chews get destroyed on a schedule, so durability per dollar matters more than the feature list. No toy substitutes for the exercise itself.
Trainability · Stubborn
High-value food is the leverage, not the gadget
Trainability rated "Stubborn" means the payoff comes from what you are paying with. High-value training treats and short sessions move this breed further than any piece of hardware, which is worth knowing before you buy a training tool.
The Irish Setter gear checklist
These slots do different jobs, so this is a checklist rather than a comparison — each one links to the ranked picks for that slot, where products are compared against others of the same kind.
Fetch Toys
Balls, frisbees, and launchers for dogs who live to retrieve.
Current top pick for this slot: ChuckIt! Ultra Ball (2-Pack)
See all fetch toys picks
Dog Vitamins & Supplements
Multivitamins, omega oils, and daily health supplements.
Current top pick for this slot: Zesty Paws Multivitamin Bites
See all dog vitamins & supplements picks
Dog Harnesses
No-pull, front-clip, and padded harnesses for every walking style.
Current top pick for this slot: Ruffwear Front Range Padded Harness
See all dog harnesses picks
Dog Leashes
Standard, retractable, and hands-free leashes for every walking style.
Current top pick for this slot: Max and Neo Double Handle Traffic Leash
See all dog leashes picks
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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.
Editorial synthesis of r/irishsetter discussions
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.
Paraphrased by PawBench from public discussion — not a quotation, and not a counted sample.
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 —
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
Buying guides for this breed type
Irish Setters share buying considerations with other breeds in these clusters:
Shop by category
Browse research-backed picks across every product category — not just for Irish Setters.
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