Irish Setter vs Shetland Sheepdog
Compare Irish Setter and Shetland Sheepdog 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
Shetland Sheepdog
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
55 – 67 cm
35 – 37 cm
Weight
24 – 32 kg
6 – 12 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 15 years
12 – 13 years
Child friendly
5/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
4/5
5/5
Trainability
4/5
3/5
Health
5/5
4/5
Grooming needs
1/5
4/5
Shedding
3/5
5/5
Barking level
2/5
5/5
Aggressiveness
1/5
2/5
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Characteristics
Irish Setter
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Shetland Sheepdog
High energy
Super smart
Small
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 Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small to medium, agile herding breed with a dense double coat and striking colors. Bright, sensitive, and very people focused, it bonds closely with family, is reserved with strangers, excels in dog sports, and needs regular grooming, daily walks, and mental exercise.
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