How does the Irish Setter work in the field?
The Irish setter is a bird dog that ranges open ground and holds birds on point. In Britain it works on grouse moors and in field trials, and does not normally retrieve.
The Irish setter, or red setter, is a bird dog bred to find game on open ground. It quarters wide at a gallop with its head high, and on finding birds it holds a firm point until the guns arrive. Like the other setters, including the Irish red and white setter, it is not normally used to retrieve. In Britain and Ireland working Irish setters are used on grouse moors and run in pointer and setter field trials. Working lines are lighter and faster than show dogs and often carry more white, and they are bred for nose and drive. Most Irish setters are bred for show or as companions, so look for parents with field trial or moor experience.
What is the Irish Setter like to live and work with?
Exuberant, affectionate and sociable, and playful well into adulthood. It can be headstrong and matures slowly.
Irish setters are exuberant, affectionate and sociable, and they keep a playful outlook well into adulthood. They are usually good with children and friendly to everyone, which makes them poor guard dogs but pleasant companions. They can be headstrong and easily distracted, and they mature slowly. Working setters have enormous stamina and need a great deal of free running, but at home they settle well once exercised. Look for parents that are confident and outgoing, with drive in the field and a willingness to respond to their handler when it matters.
Which health tests matter for the Irish Setter?
Both parents should have hip and elbow scores and a current eye certificate. Key DNA tests are CLAD and PRA (rcd1 and rcd4).
Ask for both parents' hip scores and elbow grades under the BVA/KC schemes, and a current eye certificate under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. DNA tests are available for canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD), a fatal immune disorder, and for forms of progressive retinal atrophy (rcd1 and rcd4), and responsible breeders test for them. These are inherited recessively, so a puppy is not expected to be affected by the tested variant when at least one parent has a reliable clear result. Irish setters are also deep-chested and at risk of bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus), which has no test, so learn the warning signs. Results for Kennel Club registered dogs can be checked on the Kennel Club's Health Test Results Finder. See our checklist for buying a gundog for everything else to ask.
How much training and exercise does the Irish Setter need?
Control at a distance, taught patiently and without harsh handling. An adult needs a great deal of free running.
Like all setters, the Irish setter needs control at a distance: a reliable stop and turn whistle, steadiness on point, and dropping to flush and shot. Irish setters mature slowly and keep a puppyish exuberance for a long time, so training needs patience and a sense of humour, and young dogs are best brought on gradually alongside experienced setter handlers on the moor. Harsh handling backfires. An adult working setter needs a great deal of free running every day. The silky coat and feathering need brushing several times a week, and ears and feet should be checked for burrs and grass seeds after work.
How long does it take to train the Irish Setter?
For the Irish Setter, readiness for the intended role matters more than a birthday. Check demonstrated foundations, physical suitability and the support needed for the next stage.
Early learning includes socialisation, recall and an introduction to open ground. After comfortable everyday foundations, the young dog learns the stop and turn whistles, begins to quarter, and is allowed to find and point birds. With reliable foundations, it is steadied on point and taught to drop to flush and shot, ideally on the moor with experienced handlers. To see what is available, browse the Irish setter puppies for sale. Use the training progression guide to discuss readiness with a reward-based trainer. Ask your vet about physical demands, and plan game, water and gunfire introductions with competent help.