Hard
Irish Setter
The Irish Setter is a graceful, exuberant gun dog with a rich mahogany coat — long and silky with flowing feathering on the ears, chest, forelegs, belly, and tail. The coat requires daily brushing to prevent tangles in the feathering, and professional grooming every four to six weeks to maintain its characteristic flowing elegance.
Coat Type
Long, Silky Mahogany Coat with Feathering, Double Coat
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
4 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Natural Show Coat
The full, flowing coat maintained at natural length with precise trimming of the ear edges, paw furnishings, and throat to produce the elegant breed standard silhouette.
2
Working Dog Trim
Feathering trimmed to a practical shorter length to prevent burrs and debris from collecting during field work, while retaining the breed's characteristic mahogany coat.
3
Summer Tidy
A lighter version of the natural coat with the underbelly and leg feathering shortened to improve ventilation and reduce the burden of daily brushing in hot weather.
4
Feathering Tidy
Focused attention on detangling, trimming, and conditioning the ear feathering, chest fringe, leg furnishings, and tail plume — the areas that mat and tangle most quickly on an Irish Setter.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- Irish Setter feathering — particularly on the ears and underbelly — is a magnet for burrs, sticks, and plant material during outdoor exercise. Brush the feathering thoroughly after every outdoor excursion to remove debris before it works its way into the coat as a mat.
- The long, heavily feathered ears of the Irish Setter hang over the ear canal and restrict airflow; clean ear canals weekly with a veterinary ear cleanser and inspect for redness or discharge, as the breed is prone to chronic ear infections.
- Daily brushing is not optional if the coat is kept at full length — the silky texture of the feathering tangles within 48 hours of the last brushing, particularly behind the ears and in the armpits.
- Use a conditioning spray when brushing the dry coat between baths to prevent the silky hair from breaking — dry brushing causes static and splits the individual hair shafts over time.
- The rich mahogany color is the breed's hallmark; a color-enhancing shampoo or conditioning rinse designed for red or chestnut coats helps maintain the depth of color between baths.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
TropiClean PerfectFur Whitening & Brightening Shampoo
ShampooNaturally whitens and brightens white coats without bleach or harsh chemicals.
$12 - $18
Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake
BrushThe ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.
$40 - $60
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Deep Dives
Irish Setter Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
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