Irish Setter health: what owners should know
Conditions the Irish Setter is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
Irish Setters are known to be predisposed to bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, megaesophagus (an enlarged gullet that affects swallowing) and inherited eye disease. DNA tests are available for canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) and forms of progressive retinal atrophy, and responsible breeders use them alongside hip, elbow and eye screening.
Bloat is an emergency: if your setter's belly swells, it retches without producing anything or it paces and cannot settle, go straight to a vet. Book a prompt appointment for food brought back up soon after eating, recurring ear trouble, weight gain with low energy, or any seizure.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
12 to 15 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
25 to 34 kg