Irish Red and White Setter cost of ownership
Cost of ownership in Texas · 42–60 lb (m) · 35–50 lb (f) · 12.7-year median lifespan · AKC rank #162 (2025)
Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Source · 8 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Where the money goes
| Category | per year | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & treats1385 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $932 | 27% | PetSmart · est. |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $787 | 23% | CareCredit / Synchrony · est. |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 24% | North American Pet Health Insurance Association · est. |
| Grooming7 salon visits × $77 | $523 | 15% | Industry price guides · est. |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% | PetSmart · est. |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 9% | American Pet Products Association · est. |
A Irish Red and White Setter — 42–60 lb for males and 35–50 lb for females, sporting group, ranked No. 162 of 202 by 2025 AKC registrations — costs a typical owner in Texas about $3,425 a year, or $2,142 to $4,231 depending on food, grooming and insurance. That is 17% above the $2,927 average for medium breeds; the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is the cheapest in the group and the Portuguese Water Dog the dearest.
Food is the largest line at 27%. At 46.8 lb this dog needs about 1,385 kcal a day — roughly 25 lb of kibble a month — so brand and tier matter more than for a smaller dog: $819 to $997 a year across the standard kibbles we priced ($932 at the median), and several times that on fresh food. Insurance is the next line at 24%.
At No. 162 of 202 it is a rare breed in the US; the yearly figures here come from its size and coat, not from breed-specific price data, which does not exist for breeds this uncommon. Males run about 9 lb heavier than females, which is enough to move a male into a higher parasite-prevention band — the panel's weight setting matters here. The AKC rates its energy at the top of the scale, so the calorie factor is 2× resting energy — a working-dog appetite in a medium body. No breed-level survival study covers it, so the 12.7-year figure is the US life expectancy for medium dogs; the AKC quotes 11–15 years.
Long, silky hair needs a trim every six to eight weeks unless kept in a short "puppy cut", plus daily combing to prevent mats. The estimate assumes 7 salon visits × $77, $523 a year; owners who clip at home spend a fraction of that.
First-year total: $4,378. Beyond the running costs that includes spay or neuter ($457 at Texas prices) and the puppy vaccine series with its extra visits. Medium dogs are the sweet spot for gear — $160 covers a crate, bed and walking kit, and none of it needs replacing as the puppy grows.
Over a 12.7-year median lifespan (the US life-expectancy figure for its size group) the total is $44,310; the final 5 years run about $3,395 each once senior exams and bloodwork are added.
Food
Calories from RER = 70 × kg^0.75 scaled for a 46.8 lb very high-activity dog; price per 1,000 kcal is the median of our recorded SKUs in this tier.
Source · 2 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Shop dog food at Chewy · partner link
First-month shopping list
- CrateTop Paw · 42″L x 30″H, Large$65
- BedTop Paw · Medium$15
- Bowls ×2Top Paw · 12 fl oz$3
- LeashPetSafe · 3/8 in$5
- CollarKONG · Large$25
- HarnessPetSafe · Small$21
- BrushTop Paw$9
- Nail ClipperTop Paw · Large$8
- Pee PadsGreat Choice · 23″ x 24″$10
- Total$160
Source · PetSmart (recorded by pawdget) · Updated 2026-09-21
First-month gear on Amazon · partner link
Health conditions commonly recorded in Irish Red and White Setters
We have not yet found a peer-reviewed, openly licensed prevalence study for this breed, so this section stays empty rather than quoting unsourced lists.
Informational only — not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian about your own dog.
Breed data
| Weight | 42–60 lb (m) · 35–50 lb (f) |
| Median lifespansize-group estimate | 12.7 yrs |
| Breed-club life expectancy | 11–15 yrs |
| Coat | long silky |
| Activity | very high |
| AKC group | sporting |
Source · 3 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Questions about Irish Red and White Setter costs
How much does a Irish Red and White Setter cost per year?
About $3,425 a year in Texas for an adult on a standard kibble with an accident-and-illness policy, ranging from $2,142 to $4,231. Food & treats is the largest category at 27%.
How much does it cost to feed a Irish Red and White Setter?
A 46.8 lb Irish Red and White Setter needs roughly 1,385 kcal a day, about 25 lb of dry food a month. On a standard kibble that is $78 a month treats included ($68–$83 depending on brand); budget kibble costs about half, fresh food several times more — use the food tier switch to see exact figures.
What is the lifetime cost of a Irish Red and White Setter?
Around $44,310 over the breed's 12.7-year median lifespan, including $953 of first-year set-up costs and higher senior-care spending after age 8.
Last updated September 21, 2026. Figures are estimates built from the sources listed above; your own costs will differ. How we calculate.