Are Irish Setters Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Irish Setter

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Irish Setter out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Irish Setter based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Irish Setter breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Irish Setter by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Irish Setter.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Irish Setter for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Irish Setter.

The summary table below shows the score of the Irish Setter for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Prey Drive 64.1 percent
Energy Level 56.6 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 53.0 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 4.6 percent
Excitability 39.1 percent
Dog Rivalry 34.4 percent
Stubbornness 30.5 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 28.0 percent
Touch Sensitivity 23.8 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 20.7 percent
Separation Related Behavior 20.7 percent
Dog Directed Fear 16.4 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 11.7 percent
Nonsocial Fear 1.1 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Irish Setter`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Irish Setter, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Irish Setter.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Irish Setters Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Irish Setters are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks low for aggression towards strangers.

The Irish Setter ranks number 74 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 28.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
71 English Springer Spaniel 28.5 %
72 Rhodesian Ridgeback 28.5 %
73 Airedale Terrier 28.3 %
74 Irish Setter 28.0 %
75 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 27.9 %
76 Lagotto Romagnolo 27.7 %
77 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 27.5 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Irish Setter

Are Irish Setters Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Irish Setters are not aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks very low for aggression towards its owner.

The Irish Setter ranks number 118 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has an owner-directed-aggression score of 4.6 %.

Other dog breeds that are not owner-aggressive just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
115 German Wirehaired Pointer 5.4 %
116 Portuguese Water Dog 5.0 %
117 Bouvier des Flandres 4.9 %
118 Irish Setter 4.6 %
119 Scottish Terrier 3.9 %
120 Italian Greyhound 2.6 %
121 Rhodesian Ridgeback 0.9 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Irish Setters Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Irish Setters are not aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.

The Irish Setter ranks number 110 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a dog-directed aggression score of 20.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
107 Basset Hound 21.6 %
108 Pug 21.4 %
109 English Setter 20.8 %
110 Irish Setter 20.7 %
111 Shetland Sheepdog 20.3 %
112 Lagotto Romagnolo 20.1 %
113 Bernese Mountain Dog 19.5 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Irish Setter

Are Irish Setters Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Irish Setters are not fearful of strangers.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks very low for fear of strangers.

The Irish Setter ranks number 101 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a stranger-directed-fear score of 11.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
98 Samoyed 13.6 %
99 Collie 13.0 %
100 Labrador Retriever 12.8 %
101 Irish Setter 11.7 %
102 Pointer 11.5 %
103 German Wirehaired Pointer 11.3 %
104 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 11.1 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Irish Setters Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Irish Setters are not fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks very low for fear of other dogs.

The Irish Setter ranks number 110 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a dog-directed-fear score of 16.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are not other-dog-fearful just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
107 Great Pyrenees 16.8 %
108 Gordon Setter 16.6 %
109 Bullmastiff 16.5 %
110 Irish Setter 16.4 %
111 Black and Tan Coonhound 14.3 %
112 Rottweiler 13.6 %
113 Siberian Husky 13.5 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Irish Setter a good pet

Do Irish Setters Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Irish Setters are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks very low for non-social fear.

The Irish Setter ranks number 122 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a nonsocial-fear score of 1.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
119 Eurasier 5.7 %
120 Borzoi 4.0 %
121 Kuvasz 1.2 %
122 Irish Setter 1.1 %
123 Siberian Husky 0.0 %
124 Giant Schnauzer 0.0 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Irish Setters Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Irish Setters are somewhat competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks average on dog rivalry.

The Irish Setter ranks number 70 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a dog-rivalry score of 34.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat competition-driven just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
67 Shih Tzu 36.4 %
68 Maltese 35.4 %
69 Australian Shepherd 34.5 %
70 Irish Setter 34.4 %
71 Belgian Sheepdog 34.2 %
72 Siberian Husky 34.2 %
73 English Setter 34.1 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Irish Setter. Is it aggressive?

Are Irish Setters Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Irish Setters are somewhat easy to train.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks average for trainability.

The Irish Setter ranks number 56 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the trainability of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a trainability score of 69.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat easy to train just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
53 Norwegian Elkhound 71.2 %
54 Great Dane 70.9 %
55 Gordon Setter 70.5 %
56 Irish Setter 69.5 %
57 Cocker Spaniel (English) 68.6 %
58 Mastiff (English) 68.6 %
59 Pit Bull 68.0 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Irish Setter is and how the intelligence of the Irish Setter affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Irish Setter is.

Do Irish Setters Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Irish Setters are quite a bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks high for small-pet-chasing.

The Irish Setter ranks number 31 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a chasing score of 64.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
28 Weimaraner 64.8 %
29 Irish Water Spaniel 64.6 %
30 Doberman Pinscher 64.5 %
31 Irish Setter 64.1 %
32 Standard Schnauzer 63.7 %
33 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 63.3 %
34 Alaskan Husky 63.0 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Irish Setter

Do Irish Setters Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Irish Setters are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks average for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Irish Setter ranks number 59 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 53.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
56 Basenji 54.7 %
57 Shih Tzu 54.5 %
58 Lhasa Apso 54.4 %
59 Irish Setter 53.0 %
60 American Staffordshire Terrier 52.7 %
61 Great Dane 52.6 %
62 Bullmastiff 52.2 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Irish Setters have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Irish Setters are not prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Irish Setter ranks number 106 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a separation anxiety score of 20.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
103 Gordon Setter 23.1 %
104 Airedale Terrier 23.0 %
105 Irish Water Spaniel 21.8 %
106 Irish Setter 20.7 %
107 Cairn Terrier 17.9 %
108 Rottweiler 17.3 %
109 English Setter 16.6 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Irish Setter

Are Irish Setters Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Irish Setters are a little bit touch-sensitive.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks low for touch sensitivity.

The Irish Setter ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has a touch-sensitivity score of 23.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit touch-sensitive just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
78 Tibetan Terrier 24.2 %
79 American Staffordshire Terrier 24.0 %
80 Flat-Coated Retriever 23.8 %
81 Irish Setter 23.8 %
82 Belgian Malinois 23.5 %
83 Ibizan Hound 23.1 %
84 Labrador Retriever 22.9 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Irish Setters Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Irish Setters are a little bit hyper (excitable).

This is because the Irish Setter ranks low for excitability.

The Irish Setter ranks number 82 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has an excitability score of 39.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit excitable just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
79 Bouvier des Flandres 40.6 %
80 Bernese Mountain Dog 40.1 %
81 Standard Schnauzer 39.3 %
82 Irish Setter 39.1 %
83 Tibetan Terrier 38.7 %
84 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 38.7 %
85 Dalmatian 38.5 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Irish Setter

Are Irish Setters Playful? What is the Energy Level of Irish Setters

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Irish Setters are somewhat energetic.

This is because the Irish Setter ranks average for energy level.

The Irish Setter ranks number 65 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 47 Irish Setter owners reported on the temperament of their Irish Setter in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Irish Setter has an energy-level score of 56.6 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the Irish Setter are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
62 Shetland Sheepdog 57.3 %
63 Labrador Retriever 57.1 %
64 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 56.8 %
65 Irish Setter 56.6 %
66 Siberian Husky 55.7 %
67 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 55.1 %
68 Rottweiler 55.0 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Irish Setter Temperament

The temperament of your Irish Setter comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Irish Setter is exposed to.

You cannot change your Irish Setter`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Irish Setter to.

Exposing your Irish Setter to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Irish Setter to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Irish Setter`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Irish Setter.

If you think the Irish Setter is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Irish Setters cost and Irish Setter puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Irish Setter breeders in the United States and the prices of their Irish Setter puppies.