Irish Setter
EYE-rish SET-ur
Outgoing, Sweet-natured, Active, Playful. Originally bred for pointing and setting game birds.
An adult Irish Setter weighs 65-75 lbs (male) or 55-65 lbs (female), needs 1,250-2,470 calories daily, and lives 12-15 yrs. Large breeds need portion control and joint-conscious exercise, especially during growth. The breed's primary health watch is hip dysplasia. All numbers below come from AKC breed standards and NRC 2006 veterinary nutrition formulas.
Nutrition and feeding
A typical adult Irish Setter needs 1,250 to 2,470 calories per day. An average male (70 lbs / 31.8 kg) needs around 1,920 kcal; a female (60 lbs / 27.2 kg) roughly 1,710 kcal. These estimates use the vet-standard RER/MER formula.
Estimate for a typical adult Irish Setter. For puppies, seniors, or specific activity levels, use the full calorie calculator.
Health profile
Large breeds face a particular set of health challenges related to their size and growth rate. The Irish Setter typically lives 12-15 yrs. The breed's primary health concerns are hip dysplasia and bloat, which responsible breeders screen for before breeding.
Exercise and activity
90+ minutes of vigorous daily exercise. Irish Setters are exuberant athletes who never really settle down until their senior years. As a sporting breed, the Irish Setter was developed for endurance in the field. They excel at activities that engage both body and brain: retrieving, swimming, agility courses, and long hikes on varied terrain. Many sporting breeds develop behavioral problems without adequate outlet for their natural drive. Without sufficient exercise, the Irish Setter is likely to develop destructive behaviors, excessive barking, or anxiety. This is a breed that needs daily commitment to physical activity.
Care and traits
Irish Setters have a long, flat, silky, rich mahogany red coat. Origin: Ireland.
One of the most beautiful dog breeds with their flowing mahogany coat. They're famously slow to mature; expect puppy behavior until age 3-4. President Nixon's Irish Setter, King Timahoe, lived at the White House.
Grooming is a significant time commitment with this breed. Plan for daily brushing sessions and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Skipping grooming leads to mats, skin irritation, and potential infection underneath tangled coat.
Tools for Irish Setter owners
Frequently asked questions
Plan for 1250 to 2470 calories per day for an adult Irish Setter. A 70-pound individual falls near the middle of that range. Growth-phase nutrition matters enormously for large breeds. Puppies need controlled growth to protect developing joints. Working or competition dogs may need 20-30% more than resting estimates. Use our calorie calculator with your dog's actual weight for a personalized number.
Males typically weigh 65-75 lbs (29.5–34.0 kg). Females run lighter at 55-65 lbs (24.9–29.5 kg). Large breeds carry weight in the midsection and over the ribs. A visible waist from above and a tuck behind the ribs when viewed from the side indicate healthy condition. The best home assessment is the rib test: place your thumbs on the spine and spread your fingers across the ribs. You should feel each rib individually. If you have to press to find them, the dog is carrying extra weight.
For Irish Setters, hip dysplasia tops the list of breed-associated health conditions. Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint doesn't fit together properly. Screening through OFA or PennHIP before breeding is standard practice. In pet dogs, maintaining a lean body weight is the most effective way to manage and slow progression. Other conditions seen in the breed include bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy. Awareness of these breed tendencies allows for early intervention, which often improves outcomes significantly.
The Irish Setter is built for activity and needs 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. Good activities for this breed include retrieving games, swimming, field work. Mental stimulation through training and puzzle toys is as important as physical exercise for this breed. An under-exercised Irish Setter will find outlets for pent-up energy, often in ways you will not appreciate: chewing, barking, digging, or restless pacing.
Disclaimer: General breed information based on AKC standards and veterinary sources. Individual dogs vary. Calorie estimates use the RER/MER formula (NRC 2006). Consult your veterinarian for advice specific to your dog. See our sources.
Last reviewed: April 1, 2026