At a glance the quick version
FCI standard sets no weight. Wikipedia gives 29-34 kg (65-75 lb) for males and 25-29 kg (55-65 lb) for females; UKC gives about 34 kg (75 lb) for males and 29.5 kg (65 lb) for females; PetMD gives 27-32 kg (60-70 lb) overall. Working field-bred red setters are often lighter.
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.532
Personality what they are like
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.5347
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.64
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.46
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.64
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.4
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.43
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.251389
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
In Irish the breed is called 'sotar rua', which simply means 'red setter'.2
- 2
White House staff gave President Richard Nixon an Irish Setter named King Timahoe for his 56th birthday in January 1969.2
- 3
Russian Emperor Alexander II owned an Irish Setter called Milford.2
- 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.2
- 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.1
- 8
The Irish Setter rose 12 places in the AKC popularity rankings, from 85th in 2024 to 73rd in 2025.10
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 trial1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog Group, listed as Irish Setter6
- UKC
- Gun Dog Group; recognised 19143
- AKC
- 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
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Irish Red Setter. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- 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
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.412 Furry Diary 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.413
How often should I bathe an Irish Red Setter?
Furry Diary'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.14 Furry Diary 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.46 Furry Diary 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.14 Furry Diary 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.64 Furry Diary 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.14 Furry Diary 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.246
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.5347
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.43
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: Irish Red Setter (120) fci.beused for recognition, origin, working trial
- Wikipedia: Irish Setter en.wikipedia.orgused for history, weight, lifespan, fun facts
- UKC Irish Setter breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, weight, height, coat, colour, history
- PetMD: Irish Setter petmd.comused for care, diet, exercise, temperament, weight, lifespan
- FCI Standard No. 120 Irish Red Setter fci.beused for height, coat, colour, temperament, history
- The Royal Kennel Club: Irish Setter royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, home size, lifespan
- AKC: Irish Setter akc.orgused for temperament
- AKC Archives: Irish Setter Club of America Collection akc.orgused for history, fun facts
- Britannica: Irish setter britannica.comused for history, original use
- AKC: Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
- Irish Setters recognized as AKC breed since 1878 mountainstatescollector.comused for AKC recognition year
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.