Comparison: Golden Retriever and Irish Setter

Golden Retriever and Irish Setter are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Golden Retriever
Photo: Pete Markham from Loretto, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Irish Setter
Photo: Ehog.hu, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Golden RetrieverIrish Setter
FCI group8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs7. Pointing dogs
Country of originUnited KingdomIreland
CategoryLargeLarge
Height at withers51–61 cm58–67 cm
Weight25–34 kg27–32 kg
Life span10–12 years12–14 years
Recognition features
  • Medium-long golden to cream coat with feathering
  • Gentle head, dark eyes and drop ears
  • Level back and feathered tail
  • Rich mahogany-red silky coat
  • Long drop ears and refined head
  • Long feathering on ears, chest and tail
CoatMedium-long flat or wavy, water-repellent coat.Long, fine, straight coat; mahogany-red.
PurposeDeveloped by Lord Tweedmouth in Scotland in the 19th century as a retriever of waterfowl.An Irish gundog bred to find and point game birds in open country.

Breed page: Golden Retriever · Breed page: Irish Setter

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.