Setter gundog Large size 25-32 kg

Irish Red And White Setter

A tireless, friendly bird dog with a playful streak - wonderful for very active owners, but needy and boisterous without enough exercise.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
25-32 kg, 57-66 cm
Very high
Activity
Built for all-day work; needs serious daily exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Pack-minded; dislikes long hours alone
Moderate
Trainability
Bright but slow to mature; stays playful for years
Moderate
Coat care
Feathered coat; regular brushing to prevent mats
Good
Fit with kids
Good with kids given supervision
Good
Other pets
Pack-social; usually fine with other dogs
Light
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, PRA, and CLAD (DNA-tested)

The Irish Red And White Setter typically weighs 25-32 kg, stands 57-66 cm, and lives 11-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you are very active and want a running, hiking, or hunting partner,
someone is home much of the day, or the dog comes along,
you enjoy a playful, slow-maturing dog that stays puppyish for years,
you can keep up with regular brushing of a feathered coat.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would regularly be alone for a full workday,
you want a calm, quickly settled dog for short walks,
you cannot commit to a lot of daily physical exercise,
you want a serious guard dog rather than a friendly bird dog.

A typical day with a Irish Red And White Setter

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    60+ min run, off-leash gallop, or field work
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest near the family after real exercise
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Walk plus a short training or retrieving session
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Play, scent games, or another active outing
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or hike, then close family time
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles calmly indoors once truly tired

Temperament and training

Trainability Moderate
Drive to work Very high
Playfulness Very high
Attachment to people High
Sensitivity High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Under-exercising a tireless bird dog and getting boisterous chaos · Expecting adult calm too soon from a slow-maturing breed · Leaving a people-oriented setter alone too much

Family and environment

Kids Good
Playful and friendly; supervise bouncy energy around toddlers.
Dogs Good
Sociable and pack-friendly with most dogs.
Cats Conditional
Often fine when raised together; it is still a bird dog.
Apartment Conditional
Possible only with heavy daily exercise and company.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard helps, but does not replace active exercise.
City Conditional
Workable for a very active owner with daily outings.
Countryside Ideal
Open ground to run and hunt suits this gundog perfectly.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD) Serious inherited immune disorder; a DNA test exists
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited; DNA tests exist in the breed
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; manage weight and joint load
Chronic Ear Infections Feathered drop ears need regular checking and cleaning

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Closely related solid-red setter
Irish Setter
A glamorous, exuberant setter that stays puppyish for years - affectionate and family-friendly, but demands heavy daily exercise and coat care.
View profile →
Similar friendly feathered bird dog
English Setter
A gentle, feathered bird dog that is great with family but needs daily exercise and regular coat care to stay content.
View profile →
Sturdier setter with the same working roots
Gordon Setter
A handsome, loyal black-and-tan setter that bonds closely and needs daily exercise plus regular grooming of its feathered coat.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Irish Red and White Setter cost?
The breed is much rarer than its solid-red cousin, so in the US expect limited litters, waitlists, and prices commonly around $1,500-$2,500 from a health-testing breeder. Lifetime cost is larger: a large, active dog means several thousand dollars over the years for food, routine care, grooming, and dental work, plus a fund for hereditary issues, so buy from lines DNA-tested for CLAD and PRA.
How is the Irish Red and White Setter different from the Irish Setter?
They are closely related setters and share a similar friendly, high-energy temperament. The Red and White is parti-colored rather than solid mahogany, tends to be a little sturdier and more working-focused, and is considerably rarer. Both need a very active home and dislike being left alone.
Are Irish Red and White Setters good family dogs?
Yes, for active families. They are friendly, playful, and usually good with children and other dogs. The honest caveats are heavy exercise needs, a long slow-maturing puppyhood full of bouncy energy, and a strong dislike of being left alone all day.
What health tests matter for this breed?
The most important are DNA tests for canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) and for progressive retinal atrophy, plus hip screening. CLAD is a serious inherited immune disorder, so ask breeders to show clear DNA results before buying. Choosing tested lines greatly reduces the risk of expensive hereditary disease.