--- title: "Irish Setter" id: "191434" type: "breeds" slug: "irish-setter" published_at: "2022-12-29T05:07:45+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-17T04:32:05+00:00" url: "https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/irish-setter/" markdown_url: "https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/irish-setter.md" excerpt: "Irish Setters are a truly captivating breed with a charming history that dates back to 18th century Ireland, where they were originally bred for hunting and retrieving game birds. Their stunning, flowing red coat and graceful, athletic build make them..." taxonomy_breed_group: - "Sporting Group" taxonomy_breed_size: - "Large" --- [Back to Breeds](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/) Large breed # Irish Setter Puppies Beloved for their rich mahogany silky coat and their excellence at bird hunting, the Irish Setter is truly an Irish beauty. Due to their friendliness and enthusiasm with visitors, they are one of the most common pets all over the world. Discover more about our **Irish Setter**puppies for sale below! - Great with kids - Sticks by your side - Active breed - Alert watchdog [Ask about Irish Setter puppies](#pb-ask) We do not have Irish Setter puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well. - Adult weight 55–75 lbs - Height 24–28 in - Lifespan 12–15 years - Exercise 120 min a day ![Irish Setter](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/irish-setter-1-600x600.jpg) Share[https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-setter%2F](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-setter%2F) [https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-setter%2F&description=Irish%20Setter%20puppies](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-setter%2F&description=Irish%20Setter%20puppies) ## About the Irish Setter [Stay Connected Via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandashland.com) Irish Setters are a truly captivating breed with a charming history that dates back to 18th century Ireland, where they were originally bred for hunting and retrieving game birds. Their stunning, flowing red coat and graceful, athletic build make them stand out in any setting, winning the hearts of many. These dogs exude a warm, affectionate temperament that makes them suitable for family life, particularly with young children. Their natural friendliness allows them to bond well with family members while also getting along nicely with other dogs. However, families with cats may want to keep a close eye, as their hunting instincts can spark a playful chase. Read more about the Irish Setter Show less With a high energy level, Irish Setters thrive on regular exercise and are best suited to active families that can provide plenty of playtime and outdoor adventures. Daily walks, runs, or romps in the yard are essential for keeping these energetic companions happy and healthy. While they enjoy their exercise, they also have a gentle side, often turning into affectionate cuddle buddies when playtime is over. In essence, they are strikingly beautiful, full of life, and genuinely loving pets that enrich their owners’ lives. Grooming an Irish Setter requires regular maintenance, as their beautiful coat needs to be brushed weekly to keep it shiny and healthy while minimizing shedding. Despite their longer hair, they do not shed excessively compared to some other breeds, which can lead to a pleasing environment for both the dog and the family. When it comes to training, Irish Setters are quite intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train with positive reinforcement techniques. Their enthusiastic and playful demeanor can sometimes lead to distractions, so patience and consistency are key to unlocking their full potential. If you are considering welcoming an Irish Setter into your home, prepare for a devoted companion that will bring joy, laughter, and a bit of adventure to your life. With their well-rounded personality and loving nature, it is no wonder they are cherished family pets. Discover these wonderful dogs at Petland Ashland, Kentucky, and see if an Irish Setter is the perfect match for your family. [Stay Connected Via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandashland.com) ## Irish Setter breed profile Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse. ### Temperament - Affection Devoted - Playfulness Always game - With strangers Never met a stranger - Territorial Relaxed - Prey drive High ### Family & other pets - Young children Excellent - Older children Excellent - Other dogs Sociable - Cats Needs care ### Energy & exercise - Energy Very high - Mental stimulation High ### Training - Trainability Quick to learn - Intelligence Very bright - Stubbornness Biddable ### Care & upkeep - Shedding Heavy - Drooling Minimal - Barking Occasional ### Home life - Apartment living Needs real space - Time alone Short periods - Cold weather Needs a coat - Warm weather Comfortable ### A good match for - First-time owners Manageable - Senior owners Demanding - Running partner Excellent - Hiking Excellent - Therapy work Good - Guarding Low ## Living with a Irish Setter ### Breed History The Irish setter is the youngest of the three AKC setter breeds and is believed to have descended from the English Setter. Irish hunters wanted and needed a fast-working dog with a strong nose. This breed’s bright red color was easy to spot while in the outdoors. The Irish Setter’s ability to work with his human handler is second to none. ### Personality This breed is known for having a very focused and eager to please personality. They have very steady demeanors and tend to get along well with other pets in the household. They are not aggressive dogs but are active and do well with daily outdoor activity time. This breed does make a very good family pet. ### Appearance Irish Setters should be provided with thorough and daily brushings. A weekly to bi-weekly bath will help to keep their coats clean and shiny. Being that this breed does enjoy outdoor time, extra time should be invested in making sure they are kept clean and well-maintained. This will not only allow this dog to look his best but feel his best. ### Care The Irish Setter is energetic and does enjoy outdoor playtime with family. Keeping this breed fueled with a balance of meat-based protein and micronutrients, as well as healthy carbs and fats, is important. Irish Setter owners recommend feeding this breed two meals each day, spaced about twelve hours apart. This will help to ensure the dog is provided with the proper nutrients he needs. It is also suggested that his teeth get cleaned a minimum of three times a week. Failing to keep his teeth clean can contribute to health issues. Although properly cleaning his teeth will take some practice to get good at, in time, this will become easier for you and your pup. ### Breed Size - The Irish Setter stands between twenty-five and twenty-seven inches tall upon maturity. - This breed weighs sixty and seventy pounds. - The average life expectancy for this breed is between twelve and fourteen years. ### Breed Facts Fact: This breed is recognized by the AKC and UKC. Fact: The Irish Setter is a smart dog that trains with ease. Fact: This breed is not known for over-barking. ## Caring for a Irish Setter GroomingWeekly brushing Grooming costAverage Monthly foodAverage Outdoor spaceA yard is recommended Allergy friendlyNot considered hypoallergenic ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Are Irish Setters unstable and hyperactive? Irish Setters gained a reputation as ‘hyper dogs’ in the 1970s when they became popular. This reputation has people believing they are highly unstable. While they are quite energetic, they only become hyperactive and unstable if they are not being constantly exercised or if they are not well trained. ### How much grooming do Irish Setters need? Their long chestnut coat does require some care but a habit of brushing them daily is the minimum they need. ### Are Irish Setters good guard dogs? While they are highly sensitive to changes in their surroundings, they would only alert owners to the presence of a threat. They would however not be doing any attacking the intruders. They are more likely to find a place to hide or greet the stranger happily. ### How often should Irish Setters be fed? Irish Setters require feeding three times a day when they are less than six months old. When they are older, feeding could be reduced to twice a day. ### Do Irish Setters shed a lot? They don’t shed easily even though they have a long coat. ### Are Irish Setters good apartment pets? Old Irish setters possess good house manners. Young ones are however not great for apartments because they need room to run. ### What is Irish Setters life expectancy? They usually live for about 12 years. ### How tall do Irish Setters get? Male Irish Setters can grow to about 67 cm while females grow to a height of 62 cm. ### How big do Irish Setters get? Adult males can grow to a size of 32 kg and females reach an optimum of 29kg. ### What should Irish Setters be fed? They prefer homemade food, i.e. Real food The Irish Setter is a breed that is easy to care for. As a very athletic animal, it challenges owners into an active lifestyle. ## Similar Breeds ![Cocker Spaniel](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cocker-spaniel-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Cocker Spaniel](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/cocker-spaniel/) 1 available ![American Water Spaniel](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/american-water-spaniel-1-300x300.jpg) ### [American Water Spaniel](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/american-water-spaniel/) ![Brittany Spaniel](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/brittany-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Brittany](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/brittany/) ![Chesapeake Bay Retriever](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/chesapeake-bay-retriever-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Chesapeake Bay Retriever](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/chesapeake-bay-retriever/) ## Ready to Meet Them? Call us to check current availability or to arrange a visit with a Irish Setter. - [Ashland, KY (606) 329-0357](tel:6063290357) ## Ask About Irish Setter Puppies Our pet counselors are ready to help you find your new best friend. "*" indicates required fields ``` Petland Ashland 750 Google reviews Write a review Posted on Google Robinlee Eversole Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Staff is very friendly and helpful. It's clean and well cared for, we love to see whats new Posted on Google Katelyn Smith Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I loved petland they helped me so much with getting my summer she is so loving her life with getting spoiled lol and sleeping in bed with her mommy Posted on Google Kathy Horsley Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience! Friendly & knowledgeable staff. Posted on Google Ha Ha Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kylee was SUPER helpful today with my visit. I had some questions about getting a ferret and she helped me all the way! Definitely would recommend asking for Kylee when you have any pet needs! Posted on Google katelyn clark Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jalyn is a wonderful and such a pleasant worker at ashland Petland Posted on Google Deb Newsome Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good experience. ```