Irish Setter cost of ownership
Cost of ownership in Texas · about 70 lb (m) · about 60 lb (f) · 12.9-year median lifespan · AKC rank #73 (2025)
Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Source · 8 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Where the money goes
| Category | per year | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & treats1771 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $1,193 | 31% | PetSmart · est. |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $795 | 21% | CareCredit / Synchrony · est. |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 21% | North American Pet Health Insurance Association · est. |
| Grooming7 salon visits × $95 | $646 | 17% | Industry price guides · est. |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% | PetSmart · est. |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 8% | American Pet Products Association · est. |
A Irish Setter — 70–70 lb for males and 60–60 lb for females, sporting group, ranked No. 73 of 202 by 2025 AKC registrations — costs a typical owner in Texas about $3,817 a year, or $2,507 to $4,699 depending on food, grooming and insurance. That is 18% above the $3,247 average for large breeds; the Basset Hound is the cheapest in the group and the Borzoi the dearest.
Food is the largest line at 31%. At 65 lb this dog needs about 1,771 kcal a day — roughly 33 lb of kibble a month — so brand and tier matter more than for a smaller dog: $1,048 to $1,275 a year across the standard kibbles we priced ($1,193 at the median), and several times that on fresh food. Insurance is the next line at 21%.
Ranked No. 73 of 202, it is common enough that most vets and groomers see the breed regularly. Males run about 10 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 large body.
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 × $95, $646 a year; owners who clip at home spend a fraction of that.
First-year total: $4,815. Beyond the running costs that includes spay or neuter ($457 at Texas prices) and the puppy vaccine series with its extra visits. Expect to buy some gear twice: a large-breed puppy outgrows its first crate and bed within months, so the $205 first-month list is a floor, not a ceiling.
Over a 12.9-year median lifespan (a study of 584,734 UK dogs) the total is $49,703; the final 5 years run about $3,708 each once senior exams and bloodwork are added.
Food
Calories from RER = 70 × kg^0.75 scaled for a 65 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 · 38″L x 48″W, X, Large$60
- 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$205
Source · PetSmart (recorded by pawdget) · Updated 2026-09-21
First-month gear on Amazon · partner link
Health conditions commonly recorded in Irish 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 | about 70 lb (m) · about 60 lb (f) |
| Median lifespan | 12.9 yrs (12.6–13.1) |
| Breed-club life expectancy | 12–15 yrs |
| Coat | long silky |
| Activity | very high |
| AKC group | sporting |
The standard gives point weights per sex.
Source · 3 sources · Updated 2026-09-21
Questions about Irish Setter costs
How much does a Irish Setter cost per year?
About $3,817 a year in Texas for an adult on a standard kibble with an accident-and-illness policy, ranging from $2,507 to $4,699. Food & treats is the largest category at 31%.
How much does it cost to feed a Irish Setter?
A 65 lb Irish Setter needs roughly 1,771 kcal a day, about 33 lb of dry food a month. On a standard kibble that is $99 a month treats included ($87–$106 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 Setter?
Around $49,703 over the breed's 12.9-year median lifespan, including $998 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.