Compare Breeds
Compare dog breeds side by side
Select 2 or 3 breeds and compare them across purpose, size, daily life, household fit, training, health and reality. This tool uses the same verified information from each breed guide — it does not assign scores, rank breeds, or declare a winner. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time.
Preset comparisons
Overview
Original purpose
Locating and pointing upland game birds
Pointing upland game birds
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom
Ireland
Academy group
Pointing & Setting
Pointing & Setting
Life expectancy
10–12 years
11–15 years
Physical
Height range
61–69 cm (24–27 in)
58–67 cm (23–26 in)
Weight range
20–36 kg (45–80 lb)
25–34 kg (55–75 lb)
Coat type
Long, silky flat coat with feathering
Moderate-length, flat coat with feathering
Recognized colours
Belton patterns — blue, orange, lemon, liver, tricolour
Deep red to chestnut (mahogany)
Shedding
Moderate (seasonal)
Moderate (seasonal)
Grooming commitment
Moderate to high
Moderate
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
High
Mental-work commitment
High
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Variable
Children considerations
English Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Bird drive requires management around small animals. No breed shou…
Irish Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Exuberance, size and bird drive require supervision. No breed should…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Variable
Other-pet considerations
English Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Bird drive requires management around small animals. No breed shou…
Irish Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Exuberance, size and bird drive require supervision. No breed should…
Training
Training style considerations
English Setters are trainable but soft and scent-distractible, so fair, patient, consistent handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes i…
Irish Setters are intelligent and willing but easily bored and distractible, so engaging, varied, consistent training works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog d…
Recall considerations
Variable
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and congenital deafness in some lines. Responsible breeding with health screeni…
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, bloat, and certain skin and ear conditions. Responsible breeding with health screen…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, grooming (professional and at-home), equipment and boarding. Coat care and health screening are…
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, grooming, equipment and boarding. Coat care and health screening are ongoing considerations. Res…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Elegant, beautiful belton coat and presence; Sociability and gentle, friendly temperament; Athleticism and endurance in the field; Versatility across field, show and active companion roles
Striking deep-red coat and elegant presence; Exuberant, sociable, friendly temperament; Speed, athleticism and endurance; Versatility across field, show and active companion roles
What can be difficult
Strong bird drive and scent distraction; Roaming tendency if not managed; Slow maturity and a long adolescence; Substantial coat care and seasonal shedding
Slow maturity and a long, exuberant adolescence; Very high exercise needs; Distractibility and roaming tendency; Strong bird drive and chasing
Who this breed may suit
English Setters may suit active, social homes; field and sport homes; and people prepared for coat care, managed scent outlets and recall work. The gentle partnership can…
Irish Setters may suit active, social homes; field and sport homes; and people prepared for a high-energy, slow-maturing, exuberant partner. The joyful partnership can be…
Who should think carefully
English Setters may not suit homes wanting reliable off-leash obedience without training, people unable to manage roaming and bird drive, or those seeking a low-grooming…
Irish Setters may not suit homes wanting a calm, low-exercise companion, or those unable to manage distractibility, roaming and bird drive. Energy and slow maturity requi…
English Setter
Pointing & Setting
Overview
Original purpose
Locating and pointing upland game birds
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom
Academy group
Pointing & Setting
Life expectancy
10–12 years
Physical
Height range
61–69 cm (24–27 in)
Weight range
20–36 kg (45–80 lb)
Coat type
Long, silky flat coat with feathering
Recognized colours
Belton patterns — blue, orange, lemon, liver, tricolour
Shedding
Moderate (seasonal)
Grooming commitment
Moderate to high
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
English Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Bird drive requires management around small animals. No breed shou…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
English Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Bird drive requires management around small animals. No breed shou…
Training
Training style considerations
English Setters are trainable but soft and scent-distractible, so fair, patient, consistent handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes i…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and congenital deafness in some lines. Responsible breeding with health screeni…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, grooming (professional and at-home), equipment and boarding. Coat care and health screening are…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Elegant, beautiful belton coat and presence; Sociability and gentle, friendly temperament; Athleticism and endurance in the field; Versatility across field, show and active companion roles
What can be difficult
Strong bird drive and scent distraction; Roaming tendency if not managed; Slow maturity and a long adolescence; Substantial coat care and seasonal shedding
Who this breed may suit
English Setters may suit active, social homes; field and sport homes; and people prepared for coat care, managed scent outlets and recall work. The gentle partnership can…
Who should think carefully
English Setters may not suit homes wanting reliable off-leash obedience without training, people unable to manage roaming and bird drive, or those seeking a low-grooming…
Irish Setter
Pointing & Setting
Overview
Original purpose
Pointing upland game birds
Country / region of origin
Ireland
Academy group
Pointing & Setting
Life expectancy
11–15 years
Physical
Height range
58–67 cm (23–26 in)
Weight range
25–34 kg (55–75 lb)
Coat type
Moderate-length, flat coat with feathering
Recognized colours
Deep red to chestnut (mahogany)
Shedding
Moderate (seasonal)
Grooming commitment
Moderate
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Irish Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Exuberance, size and bird drive require supervision. No breed should…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Irish Setters can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Exuberance, size and bird drive require supervision. No breed should…
Training
Training style considerations
Irish Setters are intelligent and willing but easily bored and distractible, so engaging, varied, consistent training works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog d…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, bloat, and certain skin and ear conditions. Responsible breeding with health screen…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, grooming, equipment and boarding. Coat care and health screening are ongoing considerations. Res…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Striking deep-red coat and elegant presence; Exuberant, sociable, friendly temperament; Speed, athleticism and endurance; Versatility across field, show and active companion roles
What can be difficult
Slow maturity and a long, exuberant adolescence; Very high exercise needs; Distractibility and roaming tendency; Strong bird drive and chasing
Who this breed may suit
Irish Setters may suit active, social homes; field and sport homes; and people prepared for a high-energy, slow-maturing, exuberant partner. The joyful partnership can be…
Who should think carefully
Irish Setters may not suit homes wanting a calm, low-exercise companion, or those unable to manage distractibility, roaming and bird drive. Energy and slow maturity requi…
This comparison explains differences. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time. No breed is ranked or scored.