The Irish Setter is the flashy red gundog that wins on looks and loses owners on energy. That mahogany-to-chestnut coat and elegant outline sell the breed instantly; what the photos never convey is that this is a high-drive sporting dog bred to quarter open ground for hours, and it stays mentally young — some would say adolescent — well into its third or fourth year. Males stand about 27 inches and weigh 65-75 pounds; females stand around 25 inches and weigh 55-65 pounds. The silky feathered coat is the breed's signature and its maintenance cost. Temperament is the breed's gift and its trap. Irish Setters are outgoing, affectionate, people-bonded, playful, and famously gentle with children and other dogs. They are also exuberant, easily distracted, slow to mature, and prone to inventing destructive hobbies when bored or under-exercised. They are sensitive and respond to upbeat, consistent, reward-based training; harsh correction shuts them down. Independent on a scent line, they need recall trained early and reinforced for life. Who the Irish Setter is right for: an active household — runners, hikers, bird-dog owners, dog-sport competitors — that wants a soft-natured, sociable companion and will commit to 60-90 minutes of real exercise every day plus daily coat care. Who it is wrong for: the sedentary owner who picked the breed from a calendar, anyone expecting a calm dog before age three, owners who leave a dog alone all day, or anyone unprepared to brush feathering several times a week. Choose this breed for the engine, not the paint — the coat is the reward you earn after the exercise hours are done, not the reason to own the dog in the first place.
Origin
🇮🇪 Ireland
Life Span
12–15 years
Weight
24–32 kg
Height
61–67 cm
very high
Exercise
high
Grooming
moderate
Shedding
Yes
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland over the 18th and 19th centuries as a 'setting' bird dog — bred to range across open country, locate game birds by air scent, and freeze on point so hunters could net or shoot. Early Irish setters were often red-and-white (now preserved as the separate Irish Red and White Setter); the solid rich red dog was refined and popularized through the 1800s, with kennels selecting heavily for the striking mahogany…
Irish Setter showcasing the breed's elegant stance and flowing coat
Irish Setter running, demonstrating the breed's athletic ability
Irish Setter puppy with its distinctive red coat still developing
Big Red
Disney film based on the novel by Jim Kjelgaard about a boy and his Irish Setter.
Irish Red
Sequel to Big Red, continuing the story of the Irish Setter.
Irish Setters were one of President Nixon's favorite dog breeds; his Irish Setter 'King Timahoe' lived in the White House.
The breed's stunning red coat takes up to 3 years to fully develop its rich color and texture.
Irish Setters once commonly worked in pairs with hunters, with one dog pointing and the other retrieving.
The famous children's novel 'Big Red' by Jim Kjelgaard features an Irish Setter as its main character.
Despite their elegant appearance, Irish Setters were primarily developed as working gundogs with exceptional endurance.
Purchase Price
700–2500 USD
Monthly Cost
~$120 USD
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A Irish Setter costs $700–$2,500 to purchase from a reputable breeder, plus roughly $120/month in ongoing expenses — food, veterinary care, grooming, and insurance. Over a 12–15-year lifespan, total lifetime ownership cost runs $17,280–$21,600. Adopting from a rescue ($50–$500) reduces the upfront cost significantly. The first year is always the most expensive due to initial setup costs ($300–$800) on top of the purchase price.
Prices vary based on lineage, breeder reputation, location, and whether the Irish Setter is pet-quality or show-quality. Adopting from a rescue or shelter typically costs $50–$500 and gives a Irish Setter a second chance at a loving home.
| Expense | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Food & treats | $42–$54/mo |
| Veterinary care (wellness) | $24–$36/mo |
| Grooming | $12–$18/mo |
| Pet insurance | $30–$70/mo |
| Toys, supplies & misc | $10–$14/mo |
| Total monthly estimate | ~$120/mo |
Purchase
$700–$2,500
Initial setup
$300–$800
crate, bed, bowls, collar, leash
12 months care
~$1,440
This estimate includes routine food, veterinary wellness visits, grooming, insurance, and supplies — but does not include emergency veterinary care, boarding, or specialized training. Actual costs vary by location, lifestyle choices, and your Irish Setter's individual health needs.
All costs are approximate U.S. averages and vary by location, breeder, veterinary clinic, and individual needs. Updated March 2026.
An Irish Setter's care budget is dominated by two line items: exercise and coat. Exercise is non-negotiable — plan 60-90 minutes of vigorous activity daily (running, retrieving, swimming, scent or field work), not a stroll around the block. An under-exercised Setter is the dog that eats the sofa; this is a management problem disguised as a behavior problem. Mental work counts: 10-15 minutes of training or puzzle feeding takes the edge off in a way a slow walk cannot. Coat: the silky feathered coat tangles and picks up burrs and mud fast. Brush 3-4 times a week, line-combing the feathering on ears, chest, belly, and legs; check ears every week because the heavy drop ear traps moisture and is a chronic infection site — a quick weekly wipe and dry, especially after swimming, prevents most ear-vet visits. Bathe every 4-6 weeks; trim feet and sanitary areas. Feeding: this is a deep-chested breed with elevated bloat risk — feed 2 measured meals per day, not one, avoid vigorous activity an hour either side of eating, and keep the dog lean (ribs easily felt) to protect hips. Weigh monthly. Training: start recall and impulse control in puppyhood and keep reinforcing through the long adolescence; positive methods only. Decision rule: if an Irish Setter retches without producing vomit, has a hard distended belly, paces, or collapses, treat it as a bloat emergency and go to the nearest open clinic immediately — this breed's chest shape makes GDV a same-hour, life-or-death event.
Dive deeper into everything Irish Setter — costs, care, and expert insights.
How Much Does a Irish Setter Cost?
Purchase price, monthly costs, and lifetime expenses
Irish Setter Care Guide
## Irish Setter Care Overview This Irish Setter care guide gives owners a practical plan for daily...
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