Irish Setter Breed Info: Pictures, Personality & Facts

Few breeds command the attention that the Irish Setter receives. This is a handsome dog with a storied past, both in and outside of the show ring. The breed is a sporting canine used by hunters to find birds and other upland game. This pooch has the boundless energy and persistence to succeed in this job, and they’re a born gun dog.

However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t win your heart as an excellent family pet. This pup is exceedingly friendly with a keen sense of playfulness. They’re always a little puppy inside, ready for a game of fetch. They will do best in a home that can satisfy their need to run and stay active. The Irish Setter is a loyal pet, even leaning toward the protective side, and they’ll make a fine guardian for the kids.

This pooch is sometimes a handful. While eager to please, the Irish Setter has an independent streak that matches their energetic ways. Their hunting background accounts for these personality traits. It also speaks to the breed’s intelligence. Let’s delve more into the characteristics and history of this sometimes-mischievous pup.

Irish Setter Puppies

The background of the Irish Setter provides some valuable clues about what to expect when you have one as a pet. This pooch needs daily exercise. It’s worth mentioning that this dog has a strong prey drive, given their history. They will pursue an animal that runs from them, giving the pooch a high wanderlust potential.

The Irish Setter is something of a commitment, whether it’s to training, grooming, or socialization. they’re sometimes nippy, especially as a puppy. You must teach them proper canine manners so that they don’t pick up bad habits like barking or chewing. Their size makes it necessary. However, they respond well to guidance. They just need to know what you expect of them.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Irish Setter

1. There’s a Good Reason for the Irish Setter’s Name

Historically, the Irish Setter is a bird dog. That was their original role in the countryside of their native country, Ireland. When they spot their quarry, they alert the hunter that there is upland game in the area, and they don’t tip off the birds in the process.

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2. The Irish Setter Has a Presidential Connection

The Irish Setter has caught the fancy of many people, including some important individuals. The breed has a famous one as the pet of President Richard Nixon. He named his pup after the town of his ancestors, King Timahoe.

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3. An Irish Setter Inspired a Song

It’s easy to see why the Irish Setter has endeared itself to so many people. This dog was the inspiration for a song by the Beach Boys, no less. Guitarist-singer Carl Wilson owned a pup named Shannon, who was the subject of the song of the same name. The tune caught on and hit gold.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Irish Setter 🧠

The Irish Setter has many traits that make them an excellent choice as a pet, albeit with some contrasts thrown into the mix, too. This is an intelligent dog that needs mental stimulation or they will get bored. They want to learn new commands and tricks. However, they are sometimes willful, which can make it a challenge, but this pup has a loving nature that makes it worth the effort.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Irish Setter makes an excellent family pet. They’reaffectionate and friendly with everyone they meet. They’re also kid-friendly, although, they may forget how big they are compared to smaller children. This pup craves attention. If they don’t get enough love, they can suffer from separation anxiety. It can also result in some undesirable behaviors that you must correct.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

You’re in luck if you have other pets—to a degree. The Irish Setter would often hunt with other dogs in the field. That fact gives them tolerance when around other canines in your home. As we mentioned earlier, there is also the prey drive to consider, which can make life with pets other than dogs a concern. As with other breeds, raising cats and dogs together is a viable option to head off problems down the road.

Things to Know When Owning an Irish Setter:

As you’ve learned, owning an Irish Setter has its challenges. This dog needs discipline out of the gate. Getting along with everyone in the household is a guarantee for humans but not necessarily other pets. There is also a time and attention commitment. The last two are the most critical. If you can’t be sure that you can provide them consistently, then this breed isn’t the best choice for your lifestyle.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The activity level of the Irish Setter helps to ensure that they’ll stay trim. They are not couch potatoes. That said, they must have a diet formulated for dogs of their size. They mature more slowly than smaller breeds. In this case, it is both physically and mentally. Base the proportions you give them based on their appearance. The info on the food label isn’t the final word, though. You must make sure you seek advice from your vet to ensure you’re meeting your pet’s individual needs.

Exercise 🐕

We’ve talked a lot about the activity level of the Irish Setter. That’s a deciding factor for both your and your pet’s happiness in your home. Remember that this dog had the run in the field during the hunt, and they expect that even today. A large backyard to explore is an excellent way to keep them satisfied. However, they’ll also need the regular run in the doggie park or a bracing walk to work off their energy.

Training 🦮

The Irish Setter makes it easy to train. This dog is intelligent and can learn quickly. On the other hand, they have a stubborn streak that will likely show up when you’re trying to teach them something they view as boring. This dog needs mental stimulation. That was an integral part of their life, back in the day. Bear in mind that this pup is also sensitive. Positive reinforcement instead of harsh reprimand is the key to success.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming is a commitment with the Irish Setter. Their long and fine coat needs daily attention to keep it from matting. That’s especially true if you plan to make them a hunting companion. Their fur is a burr-magnet. A pair of rounded-tip scissors is a must-have to keep the coat looking neat and trim. That advice also applies to their paws and ears.

Irish Setters are prone to dental issues. You should brush their teeth regularly to keep their gums healthy. You should also keep an eye on their nails. Their ears will need some attention to prevent ear infections. A healthy diet will go a long way toward making them look their best.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The popularity of a breed often works against a dog. That is also the case with the Irish Setter. While they are not as common as they once were, the health issues persist. Some of them what you’d expect with any larger canine. Joint problems are always a bane with these dogs. The critical thing to understand is that some of these conditions appear later in life, so that means subsequent testing.

Male vs. Female

There is a small variation in size between the sexes. It also exists with dogs that go in the field or stick to the show ring. The difference boils down to breeding. If you have a pup that you want to mate, get a puppy from a decent bloodline. If not, neuter the dog. It’s the responsible thing to do. Bear in mind that it’s a cheaper and easier process with females versus males.

Final Thoughts

The Irish Setter is a dog that you can’t ignore. Their gorgeous coat and stately manner are enough to capture your interest. It helps that they are so good-natured and friendly, which makes them an ideal family pet. This dog loves its tribe, almost to a fault. They adore people and want to spend every moment with them. Their intelligence is both a godsend and a challenge.

As long as you can keep up with their energy, the Irish Setter is an excellent choice for a family pet. They’ll keep up with the kids and get along with the neighborhood dogs. This pup ticks off all the boxes for everything you can want from a canine buddy. If you have the time to devote to their needs, this breed is a canine worth considering.

See Also:

• Other Breeds Starting with the Letter S
• Best Italian Dog Names

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Featured Image Credit: Kseniia Kolesnikova, Shutterstock