A cheerful, outgoing setter that tends to love everyone it meets. The breed standard calls it keen, intelligent, energetic, affectionate and loyal, and owners often describe a playful, bouncy streak that lasts well past puppyhood. It usually gets on well with children and, once introduced, with other pets, though its enthusiasm can bowl over very small children. It learns quickly when training is kept upbeat and rewarding, and it is not a big barker.4237
Coat and looks how to spot one
Medium-length, flat, silky coat with feathering
The hair stays short and fine on the head and the fronts of the legs, while the body carries a flat coat of moderate length with little or no wave. Long silky fringes grow on the ears, the backs of the legs, the belly and the tail, and the feet are well feathered too. Under it sits a racy, athletic frame with a deep chest.421
Coloursrich chestnutmahogany redsmall white markings on chest, throat or toes allowedsmall white star or narrow blaze on the face tolerated42
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for an Irish Red Setter. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery 2 days
Bathevery month
HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseAbout 120 minutes a dayevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very high. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day. Good outlets include long walks, running off lead in safe areas, fetch, swimming, hiking, jogging, agility, dock diving and field work. Not a natural fit for apartment life.53
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush several times a week, ideally daily, to keep the feathering free of tangles. Check and clean the long ears weekly, trim nails regularly and tidy the feet and feathering now and then. The Royal Kennel Club rates grooming as more than once a week.35
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to a larger home with a large, securely fenced garden and daily access to open space. It likes being part of family life indoors rather than kept outside.53
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, good-quality dog food suited to life stage, split into two smaller meals a day rather than one large one. Active dogs can need more food than their size suggests, so adjust portions to body condition and activity.3
Company who they like around
Very sociable and happiest with lots of family company and involvement in daily activities. Usually friendly with strangers, other dogs and, after proper introductions, cats.32
The story where it all began
Setters were bred in Ireland to find upland game birds by scent and then freeze, or 'set', to show the hunter where the birds were. Early Irish setters came in red, red and white, and other colours, and Irish landed families were keeping careful setter breeding records by the late 1700s. During the 1800s breeders began to favour solid red dogs, and the red type split away from the red-and-white setter. The Irish Red Setter Club was founded in 1882, and its breed standard was approved in Dublin in 1886. Red setters reached the United States in the 1800s, and the Irish Setter Club of America was formed in 1891, holding its first event as a field trial. In the 20th century the show ring's taste for a deep mahogany coat and elegant outline pulled show lines apart from working lines, and in the 1940s some American field breeders developed a lighter, more compact 'Red Setter' for field trials. Today the breed is loved as both a family companion and a hunting and sporting dog, and in many countries it still has to pass a working trial to become a full FCI champion.146289
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
In Irish the breed is called 'sotar rua', which simply means 'red setter'.1
2
White House staff gave President Richard Nixon an Irish Setter named King Timahoe for his 56th birthday in January 1969.1
3
Russian Emperor Alexander II owned an Irish Setter called Milford.1
4
The Irish Setter Club of America was founded in 1891 by 21 members, and its very first event was a field trial in High Point, North Carolina, with a 350 dollar prize.8
5
The 1962 Disney film 'Big Red' starred an Irish Setter, and one club held a premiere screening that dogs attended.8
6
The Irish Red Setter's early breed standard scored dogs on a 100-point scale, a system that was later dropped.1
7
The FCI lists the Irish Red Setter as a breed subject to a working trial, so hunting ability still matters for full championship titles.6
8
The Irish Setter rose 12 places in the AKC popularity rankings, from 85th in 2024 to 73rd in 2025.10
Where the name comes from the story behind it
The breed name 'Irish Setter' comes from its country of origin, Ireland, and its historical role as a 'setter' dog that would locate and point game birds. The Irish name 'sotar rua' literally means 'red setter'.1
I bounded out of my crate the moment I heard my human's alarm, ready to greet the day with a wiggly butt and a happy bark. After a quick breakfast, we headed to the park where I ran like the wind, chasing after a tennis ball. I splashed through every puddle and made a new friend or two. Back home, I flopped on the cool floor, tongue out, dreaming of more adventures. Evenings are for family time, and I always make sure to be the center of attention.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Recognised by the official bits
FCI
Standard No. 120, Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 2 (British and Irish Pointers and Setters), Setter subsection; definitive acceptance 22 Dec 1954; current standard published 13 Mar 2001; subject to a working trial6
Recognised as Irish Setter (Sporting Group); AKC recognition dated to 187811
Popularity AKC rank 73 of registered breeds in 2025 (up from 85 in 2024)10
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Irish Red Setter tip
Reward your Irish Setter with a piece of their daily kibble or a low-fat, gluten-free training treat, and always keep treats to under 10% of their daily calories to help prevent bloat and weight gain.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Irish Red Setter, and at what times?
Feed your Irish Red Setter two smaller meals a day rather than one large one, as this suits their active lifestyle. Adjust portions based on their body condition and activity level, and always follow the food label and your vet's advice for exact amounts.312Pet Wiki plan
What should an Irish Red Setter eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A complete, good-quality dog food suited to their life stage is best. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol, so keep these well away from your setter.313
How often should I bathe an Irish Red Setter?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath about every four weeks, but you can adjust based on how dirty or active your dog gets. Always use a gentle dog shampoo and avoid over-bathing to keep their coat healthy.14Pet Wiki plan
How often does an Irish Red Setter need brushing?
Brush your Irish Red Setter several times a week, ideally daily, to keep their feathering free of tangles. This is especially important for their long, silky coat to prevent mats.35Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim an Irish Red Setter's nails, and how often?
Trim your setter's nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick, and ask your vet or a groomer for a demo if you are unsure.14Pet Wiki plan
How much exercise does an Irish Red Setter need?
This breed needs more than two hours of exercise daily, including long walks, running off lead, and activities like fetch or swimming. They are very energetic and not suited to apartment life.53Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after an Irish Red Setter's teeth and ears?
Brush your setter's teeth daily with dog-safe toothpaste, and check their floppy ears weekly for moisture or dirt, drying them gently. Never push anything into the ear canal, and ask your vet for a dental care routine.14Pet Wiki plan
How long does an Irish Red Setter live?
An Irish Red Setter typically lives between 11 and 14 years, with proper care and regular vet check-ups. Senior years usually start around age 7, so adjust their care as they age.135
Is an Irish Red Setter good with children and other pets?
Yes, they are cheerful and outgoing, usually great with children and other pets when introduced properly. Their enthusiasm can be a bit much for very small kids, so supervise playtime.4237
Can an Irish Red Setter be left alone?
They are very sociable and happiest with lots of family company, so they do not like being left alone for long periods. If you must leave them, provide plenty of toys and consider a dog walker or daycare.32
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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