Sporting group
Irish Red and White Setter
The original Irish setter — good-natured, athletic and friendly to all.
Irish Red and White Setters are sturdy, cheerful bird dogs with a red-and-white coat. They are affectionate, sociable family dogs with plenty of energy and an easygoing temperament.
- Height
- 22.5–26 in57–66 cm
- Weight
- 50–75 lb23–34 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–15 years
- Size
- Large
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- Ireland
Coat: Flat, silky coat with feathering. Colours: Red and white (pearl white base with red patches).
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
Red and Whites are friendly, playful and good-natured. They like people and dogs, rarely show aggression and tend to be excellent with children. Many are a little more laid-back than the Irish Setter.
They are still active gundogs that need daily running and mental stimulation. Their bird drive and independence mean recall training takes time and consistency.
Living with a Irish Red and White Setter
Exercise
Needs 60–90 minutes of exercise daily, with off-lead running in secure areas.
Grooming
Brush weekly and trim feathering, ears and feet as needed. Less coat than the Irish Setter.
Training
Willing but easily distracted by birds. Positive, consistent training with lots of praise works well.
Kids & other pets
Excellent with children and other dogs. Supervise with small pets and birds.
Time alone
Prefers company; tolerates moderate alone time with plenty of exercise beforehand.
Home fit
Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.
Is a Irish Red and White Setter right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Irish Red and White Setter matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Irish Red and White Setter typically lives 11–15 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD)
An inherited immune disorder causing severe infections in puppies; DNA testing has nearly eliminated it.
Von Willebrand disease
An inherited bleeding disorder with a DNA test.
Hip dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Posterior polar cataract
An inherited eye condition; annual eye exams help.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- Eye examination
- DNA tests: CLAD and von Willebrand disease
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Irish Red and White Setter; Irish Red and White Setter Association of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Red-and-white setters are the older of the two Irish setter breeds, recorded in Ireland by the 1600s. Over time, solid red dogs became fashionable and the red-and-white type nearly disappeared.
In the 1920s Irish enthusiasts, led by Rev. Noble Huston, revived the breed. It was recognised in Ireland in 1944 and by the AKC in 2009.
Did you know?
- The Irish Red and White Setter is older than the solid-red Irish Setter.
- It was nearly extinct before being revived in the 1920s.
- Red and Whites are often described as calmer than their red cousins.
Library guides for Irish Red and White Setter owners
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Tug of War
An energy outlet that also builds impulse control.
Grooming
Ear Cleaning
Ear care matters for this coat and ear type.
Exercise & Play
Dog Walking
Getting daily walks right for a Irish Red and White Setter.
Grooming
Nail Clipping
Every dog needs regular nail care.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are Irish Red and White Setters good family dogs?
- Yes — they are friendly and great with children, with moderate grooming needs.
- Irish Red and White vs Irish Setter?
- Red and Whites are a little stockier, often calmer, with a less profuse coat.
- Do they need a lot of exercise?
- Yes — at least an hour of vigorous activity daily.