Irish Setter vs English Setter
Compare Irish Setter and English Setter 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
English Setter
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
55 – 67 cm
52 – 68 cm
Weight
24 – 32 kg
16 – 25 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 15 years
9 – 15 years
Child friendly
5/5
5/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
5/5
5/5
Grooming needs
1/5
1/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
2/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
1/5
1/5
Characteristics
Irish Setter
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
English Setter
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Easy to train
Medium
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 English Setter
Elegant, medium‑large gundog with a silky belton coat and feathered tail. Gentle, devoted and people‑oriented, it suits active families who enjoy long daily walks. Sensitive to harsh handling, it responds best to kind, consistent training and regular grooming.
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