Irish Setter
VS
Border Terrier
Irish Setter vs Border Terrier
Compare Irish Setter and Border Terrier side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Irish Setter
Border Terrier
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
55 – 67 cm
28 – 40 cm
Weight
24 – 32 kg
5 – 7 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 15 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
5/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
5/5
4/5
Grooming needs
1/5
2/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
2/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
1/5
3/5
Characteristics
Irish Setter
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Border Terrier
Super smart
Low grooming
Easy to train
Tiny
Summary
About Irish Setter
Graceful Irish gundog with a mahogany red, feathered coat needing regular grooming. Medium‑large, athletic and high‑energy, it thrives on daily vigorous exercise and mental work. Affectionate, people‑oriented and playful, it’s good with families but needs consistent, positive training.
About Border Terrier
Small, sturdy terrier originally bred on the England–Scotland border to hunt foxes. Affectionate, bonded to family, yet independent with strong prey drive. Needs 1–2 hours of daily exercise, secure fencing, and kind training. Wiry, weather-resistant coat needs brushing and occasional hand stripping.
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