An Irish Setter in a meadow seems to float: head high, feathering flowing and long-reaching forelegs close to the ground. The FCI standard describes the same picture. Behind the elegance is a hunting dog who searches wide areas and freezes on point when scenting game.
| FCI | Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 2 British and Irish Pointers and Setters, Standard No. 120, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Height at the withers | Males 58 to 67 cm, females 55 to 62 cm |
| Weight | Not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | Median 12,9 years in a British analysis of 584.734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024), pooled with the Irish Red and White Setter |
| Coat | Short and fine on head and fronts of legs, otherwise moderately long, flat and as free from curls as possible; long, silky feathering on ears, legs, belly and tail |
| Colours according to the standard | Rich chestnut with no trace of black; white on chest, throat and toes, a small star or narrow blaze does not disqualify |
Origins
The standard traces the breed to Irish Red and White Setters and unknown solid-red dogs, clearly identifiable by the 18th century. The Irish Red Setter Club formed in 1882 and published the standard in 1886. The red-white ancestor remains a separate breed. For another red pointing dog, see the Magyar Vizsla.
Temperament
Keenly interested, intelligent, full of energy, affectionate and devoted: the standard’s aims. Friendly to almost everyone, rarely a guard and playful for a long time. Many Setters mature late, and their spirit requires patient training.
Exercise and activity
Bred for wide-ranging searches, the Setter needs several hours of daily exercise, part off lead or on a long training line, plus nose work. Reliable recall is essential because the gallop quickly takes the dog far away.
Grooming
Silky feathering mats behind ears and on legs without twice-weekly combing. Remove burrs and inspect ears after countryside outings.
Health
Irish Setters lived a median 12,9 years in the British analysis, slightly above crossbreeds at 12,0, with Irish Red and White Setters included (McMillan et al. 2024). Swedish X-rays found grade C or worse hip dysplasia in 27,1 per cent of 1.112 young Setters (Engdahl et al. 2026). A recessively inherited gluten-sensitive intestinal disorder causes recurring diarrhoea and weight loss (Biagi et al. 2020). A genetic test exists for CLAD immune deficiency; 7,6 per cent of Australian breeding dogs carried it (Jobling et al. 2003). Ask for that test and hip results.
Who does the Irish Setter suit?
Sporty people and families spending plenty of time outside, seeking a cheerful, affectionate dog with stamina.
Who is the breed less suited to?
Homes leaving the dog alone for long periods, and anyone expecting a calm city dog with little exercise.
To see whether a Setter with such running needs fits your life, try the breed quiz or look thoroughly in our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For those first weeks with a puppy, try our free Puppy Starter Pack. Your Setter as a wall picture: dog portraits from your own photo or an instant-download file.
Further reading
- Weimaraner: the handsome hunting dog who never clocks off
- Leaving your dog alone: learning without drama, step by step
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 120 Irish Red Setter (Irischer Roter Setter) (fci.be, version dated 31.08.2001, valid standard published 13.03.2001); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Engdahl K et al., Prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in young adult dogs in Sweden, Veterinary Record 2026; Biagi F et al., Gluten-sensitive enteropathy of the Irish Setter and similarities with human celiac disease, Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2020; Jobling et al., The frequency of the canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) allele within the Irish Setter population of Australia, Australian Veterinary Journal 2003.
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