Breed guide
Irish Setter
Red-coated aristocrat. Gorgeous, high-energy, sweet-natured. Bloat risk and exercise demands define the breed.
AKC Rank
#72
Size
large (60-70 lbs)
Life Expectancy
12-15 yrs
Activity
very high
Feeding a Irish Setter
Gorgeous athletic sporting breed. ~1,400-1,800 kcal/day. Bloat risk with deep chest.
Key nutrients
- •omega-3
- •biotin
- •glucosamine
Portion notes: Two meals daily. No vigorous exercise 1 hour before or after eating.
Fresh food picks for Irish Setters
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Irish Setter actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$4,355-$8,630
Ongoing years run $3,460-$6,730 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$2,400-$3,650
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$420-$600
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$660-$1,400
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$225-$750
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$480
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$799-$1,399/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for large dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Irish Setters
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
Stunning mahogany coat needs regular grooming and omega-3 support.
Deep chest = bloat risk — 2 meals daily, no post-meal exercise.
One of the most energy-demanding sporting breeds.
Gear for Irish Setters
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Irish Setters
Harness
for Irish Setters
Bed
for Irish Setters
Collar
for Irish Setters
Leash
for Irish Setters
Slow feeder bowl
for Irish Setters
Chew toy
for Irish Setters
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Irish Setters
Matched to Irish Setter temperament (outgoing, sweet-natured, active).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Irish Setters
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Irish Setter questions, answered
How long do Irish Setters live?▾
How big do Irish Setters get?▾
How much exercise does a Irish Setter need?▾
What health problems do Irish Setters commonly have?▾
Are Irish Setters hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Irish Setter?▾
Are Irish Setters good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Irish Setter
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.