Dog breed comparison
Irish Setter vs English Setter
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Irish Setter | English Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Sporting Dogs | Sporting Dogs |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Height | 25 inch to 27 inches | 23 inches to 27 inches |
| Weight | 60 to 70 pounds | 45 to 80 pounds |
| Life span | 11 to 15 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Irish Setter
An Irish gundog bred to find game birds, refined in the 1800s with the solid red coat it is known for. It remains a popular field and show dog.
It is slow to mature and stays exuberant for years.
Health to watch
- Bloat
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd1)
The English Setter
Developed in England over 400 years ago to find game birds and "set" (crouch) when it found them. Edward Laverack and R. Purcell Llewellin shaped the show and field lines in the 1800s.
Its speckled coat pattern is called belton.
Health to watch
- Hereditary deafness
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Energy
The Irish Setter has more energy than the English Setter.
Easy to train
The Irish Setter is easier to train than the English Setter.
Shedding
The Irish Setter sheds more than the English Setter.
Copes alone
The Irish Setter copes better when left alone than the English Setter.
General health
The English Setter tends to have fewer health problems than the Irish Setter.
Which to choose
Irish Setter or English Setter?
Choose the Irish Setter if…
- You want an active, playful companion (it has more energy)
- You want a dog that is easier to train
- You want a dog that copes better when left alone
Choose the English Setter if…
- You’d like a calmer pet (it is calmer)
- You want a dog that sheds less
- You want a dog that tends to have fewer health problems
Questions.
Which is easier to train, the Irish Setter or the English Setter?
The Irish Setter is generally easier to train than the English Setter. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Irish Setter or the English Setter?
Both are usually good with children when well socialised. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
The English Setter sheds less than the Irish Setter. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Irish Setter and English Setter have?
The Irish Setter is prone to bloat, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism. The English Setter is prone to hereditary deafness, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism. Both share a risk of hypothyroidism. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
