Personality
The Irish Setter is basically a redheaded heartthrob with the soul of a golden retriever and the stamina of a caffeinated marathon runner. With that glossy mahogany coat and elegant gait, they float through life like they’re starring in a slow-motion shampoo commercial. Don’t be fooled by the regal looks though—this dog will sprint headfirst into a pile of leaves just for the thrill. Their idea of “fetch” often includes grabbing the ball and doing a victory lap around your house like it just scored in the Super Bowl.
They are hopeless romantics too, desperate to be close to their favorite humans—preferably snuggling under a blanket or collapsing across your feet mid-zoomie. Training? Totally possible… if you can keep their attention longer than a squirrel can. Irish Setters are sunshine in dog form: beautiful, silly, and completely unaware that they just knocked over your potted plant while chasing a fly. If you're looking for a majestic yet ridiculous sidekick, the Irish Setter is ready to be your chaos companion.
Trait Table
The Irish Setter is bursting with energy and charm, making it a natural fit for active households and outdoor adventures. This breed craves companionship and has a deep affection for its humans. Their vocal tendencies lean toward moderate, but they’re more likely to alert you with enthusiasm than menace. Highly trainable but sometimes distractible, they thrive with positive reinforcement and room to run. Social to the core, they make friends easily—humans, dogs, squirrels, you name it. Their protective instincts are minimal, but they’ll gladly act as the family’s red-furred hype squad. Grooming can take some effort due to that flowing coat, but they tolerate it well. Irish Setters adapt fairly well to a variety of living environments, but the more space and fun, the better. Their work ethic shows best in sporting or play settings rather than guard duty. Overall, this is a joyful, loyal breed that never met a mud puddle it didn’t love.
If you haven't already check out our awesome blog series about success and messy failures of trying to train a dog, And the lessons learnt along the way in The Bark Side Chronicles.
