English Setter vs Irish Setter

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

English Setter vs Irish Setter — at a glance

The English Setter (20–30 kg, 11–13 years) and the Irish Setter (25–32 kg, 12–15 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Energy levels are well-matched between the English Setter and Irish Setter — both need similar daily exercise.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	English Setter	Irish Setter
Group	Sporting	Sporting
Origin	England	Ireland
Weight	20–30 kg	25–32 kg
Height	58–69 cm	63–69 cm
Lifespan	11–13 years	12–15 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

English Setter

Temperament

Sweet, gentle, devoted. Famously patient with children. Friendly with other dogs and even cats when raised together. Sensitive to harsh training — positive methods only.

Exercise

90+ minutes daily of off-lead running ideally. Built for endurance. Without enough exercise they become destructive.

Grooming

Long, silky, feathered coat needs brushing 2–3× weekly. Trim feathers around feet + ears every 6 weeks. Heavy seasonal shedding. Check ears weekly (long, floppy → infection prone).

Health

Watch for: hip dysplasia, deafness (congenital, especially in heavily-spotted dogs), hypothyroidism, allergies, autoimmune issues.

Full English Setter profile →

Irish Setter

Temperament

Joyful, affectionate, sociable, sometimes scatterbrained. Excellent with children and other pets. Bonded with everyone.

Exercise

90+ minutes of daily exercise. They love to run.

Grooming

Long silky red coat. Brush 3× weekly. Light trimming around feet/ears.

Health

Bloat / GDV. Hip dysplasia. PRA. Hypothyroidism. Epilepsy in some lines.

Full Irish Setter profile →

Which is right for you?

Pick the English Setter if

Active families with garden access, owners committed to daily long exercise, sensitive training households.

Pick the Irish Setter if

Active families, multi-pet homes, owners who enjoy running.

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English Setter vs Irish Setter