About the Irish Setter
The Irish Setter is a high-spirited gundog with a brilliant red coat, grace, and speed. They're known for being excellent family dogs, with sweet-tempered companions for the adults and romping playmates and tennis-ball fetchers for the kids. Irish dogs are outgoing and like making new acquaintances. These lively redheads have the heart of a child, but they are eager to please and will react well to gentle, constructive training. He is a fast, lively person who prefers to live in a home with a garden. He'd be best suited to a location with easy access to the countryside where he could run around and explore.
Health problems that drive Irish Setter insurance claims
These are the conditions associated with the breed — the reason insuring a Irish Setter early, before anything is diagnosed and excluded as pre-existing, is the whole game.
Bone cancer
Epilepsy
$200–$5,000
typical treatment
Progressive retinal atrophy
Bloat
$1,500–$7,500
typical treatment
Hip dysplasia
$1,500–$6,000
typical treatment
Treatment ranges are estimates compiled from veterinary sources (linked below); actual costs vary by region and severity.
Renting with a Irish Setter
Most of our readers rent — and the pet policy decides more than the insurance does. From the apartment communities we track nationwide:
81%
of apartment communities with a stated pet policy allow dogs
~26%
of apartments that publish a dog weight limit would accept a 70 lb adult (median cap: 50 lb)
$30/mo
median pet rent — about $360/year before any vet bill
$300
median one-time pet fee (a similar refundable deposit is common too)
Source: SafeButler apartment community dataset, 23,533 communities with published pet terms, July 2026. Full numbers in our apartment pet fees report.
Two costs stack for apartment dog owners: the building's pet charges, and the vet bills the building's fees do nothing about. Pet insurance addresses the second — and for renters, the liability side of a dog (bites, damage) runs through your renters policy, not your pet policy.
Care and grooming
The gorgeous rich-red coat of the Irish Setter requires only little maintenance to keep it looking its best. Irish should be groomed with a pin brush or a soft bristle brush at least twice a week, and a long-toothed metal dog comb can be used to assist smooth out any tangles or mats that may be forming. Once a month, the nails should be clipped. A bath every now and then with a gentle dog shampoo will help maintain the coat and skin clean and healthy. Grooming sessions are an excellent opportunity to check the dog for any new lumps or skin concerns, as well as to ensure that the eyes and ears are healthy and free of problems.
Common questions
How much does irish setter insurance cost?
There is no single price — pet insurance premiums depend on your dog's age, your ZIP code, and the coverage you choose, and breed matters because it predicts claims. For the Irish Setter, the conditions to price against are real: bloat treatment alone can run up to $7,500. Comparing quotes for your specific pet takes about a minute and is the only accurate answer.
What health problems do Irish Setters have?
The breed-associated conditions worth insuring against include Bone cancer, Epilepsy, Progressive retinal atrophy, Bloat, Hip dysplasia. Costs for these range from routine management to four-figure treatment bills, which is why insuring a Irish Setter young — before anything becomes a pre-existing condition — matters more than for a mixed breed.
Can I have a Irish Setter in an apartment?
Usually, but check the pet policy before you fall in love with a floor plan. In our apartment dataset, 81% of communities with a stated policy allow dogs, and among those that publish a weight limit, roughly 26% would accept a 70 lb adult Irish Setter (the median cap is 50 lb). Expect pet rent and a one-time fee on top of your own rent — and note some buildings apply breed restrictions regardless of size.
Does insurance cover my Irish Setter biting someone?
Not pet insurance — that covers your dog's own medical care. Liability for a bite falls to the liability portion of your renters or homeowners policy, and some carriers apply breed exclusions there, so it's worth checking both policies. Our guide to renters insurance and dog bites covers the details.
Before anything is pre-existing
See real prices for your irish setter
Quotes reflect your dog’s age and your ZIP code — compare top pet insurers in about a minute.
Other dog breeds
References
Our articles are intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Our articles are not written or reviewed by insurance agents. Consult your policies with your agent or a professional for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services, and programs.
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