Irish Setter: healthy weight & calories
A healthy adult Irish Setter usually weighs 24 to 32 kg (52.9 to 70.5 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.
Estimated for a Irish Setter at 28 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.
| Activity | Desexed | Entire |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly restsa few short potty walks | 1,022 kcal | 1,193 kcal |
| Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total | 1,193 kcal | 1,363 kcal |
| Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play | 1,363 kcal | 1,534 kcal |
| Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport | 1,534 kcal | 1,704 kcal |
Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 1,704 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.
High energy dogs often gain weight when the exercise drops rather than when the food goes up. Keep the weekly plan steady and the portions weighed.
Studies of dogs a similar size to a Irish Setter found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 0.4 to 0.9 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.
This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.
Check Irish Setter free →How much should a Irish Setter weigh?
A healthy adult Irish Setter typically weighs 24 to 32 kg (52.9 to 70.5 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.
How many calories does a Irish Setter need a day?
A desexed adult Irish Setter at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 1,193 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.
Similar breeds: Gordon Setter, Bull Terrier, Bluetick Coonhound
Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds
This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out