Irish Setters are known for being energetic, enthusiastic, and very active. If you own one of these dogs you won’t be surprised to learn that they need exercise every day or else they may become quite restless. This often results in you finding the floors and furniture covered in their fur. They have awesome personalities, are fairly intelligent, and they’re neither aggressive nor shy.
Irish Setters are also pretty easy to care for and live with. They are prone to typical pet-related issues, but nothing that makes them difficult to maintain from a health standpoint. But….what about shedding?
Do these dogs shed a lot? Are they hypoallergenic? We’ve done some digging to find these answers for you. Let’s discuss!
Are Irish Setters Hypoallergenic?
No, Irish Setters aren’t hypoallergenic. They don’t shed excessively, but they do shed about the average amount for most dogs. So consider them as maybe a 5 on a 1-to-10 shedding scale.
They have a double coat, so during seasonal changes, they’ll shed a bit more than normal. Irish Setters have medium-length long hair that is usually red. This means that when it does shed it’ll be more noticeable than many other dog breeds that may have short or lighter hair.
The good news is that if you are an allergy sufferer, it won’t be hard to spot their dander around the house. But the bad news is that simply having this read in your home may cause you to suffer from typical allergy issues such as itchy skin, rashes, runny nose, excessive sneezing, and other issues.
And, while they’re very manageable in this regard, Irish Setters do require some effort to groom—especially if you want to reduce the amount of red fur floating around your home.
Grooming Irish Setters
They require a lot of effort to groom because they have a combination of top and bottom coats that are thick, long, and wavy. Their chestnut, silky fur is especially susceptible to knotting, matting, and daily entanglement.
To keep your dog’s top coat in tip-top condition, you’ll need to brush it with a pin and bristle brush regularly. These tools reach down deep into the fur coat and pull out the dead fur very easily. You can get this from any pet store, and your groomer may also provide this service as well as some tools for you to purchase.
Brushing is not only a great way to get rid of dead, loose hairs on your Irish Setter’s fur, but it can also help spread their natural oils all over their skin. This helps prevent dry skin, which can lead to excessive shedding.
You can’t stop your dog from shedding, but you can definitely decrease it. Regular brushing and grooming is the best way to achieve this. Try to brush your Irish Setter’s coat at least 2–3 times per week or more.
Also, use moisturizing dog shampoos for their coat, as they can help prevent dry skin-caused shedding. And lastly, and sure that your Setter has a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a regular bathing routine.
Tips To Reduce Pet Dander At Home
If you’re worried about your allergies or that of someone else in your house, it’s best to not only keep your dog well-groomed but to develop other practices to reduce potential allergy issues. Let’s look at all the few ways that you do it.
Keep Your House Clean
Regular cleaning will help reduce pet dander buildup. This means sweeping and mopping rooms that the dog plays in on a regular basis to reduce any dander on the floor.
Clean The Vents
Make sure to clean the HVAC registers and air vents. This will prevent dander from spreading throughout your house through the air. You can also take a handheld vacuum or upright vacuum with an attachment and use it to clean your vents. Also, consider getting a HEPA air filter for the house as well. It’ll help clear the air of those small dander particles that you can’t actually see.
Vacuum All Soft Surfaces Such As Sofas
If you allow your Irish Setter on your furniture, be sure to keep it as clean as possible. This includes vacuuming and cleaning all upholstery items and washing bed linen regularly. Pet accessories such as clothing and toys should also be kept clean.
Before washing large items such as blankets or other bulky items, you can throw them in the dryer to remove excessive dander. This way, you won’t end up with a bunch of pet hair at the bottom of your washer’s drum. Just be sure to clean the dryer’s lint reservoir afterward.
Clean Regularly
Note that cleaning your home every now and again won’t suffice. A consistent cleaning schedule can help keep pet dander under control. It also helps to keep your home as clutter-free as possible, as this will reduce the number of hiding places for pet dander. Be sure to clean the area behind the sofa, under beds and tables, and around all the nooks and crannies in every room.
Final Thoughts
The Irish Setter is not a hypoallergenic dog breed. However, there are ways that you can minimize issues with dander allergies. They include grooming your dog regularly and cleaning the floors, upholstery, and your home’s air filtration systems.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock
