Irish Setter – PetBudget | Pet Costs & Saving Tips

An Irish Setter comes with several expenses that a future owner will want to budget. This includes vet fees, training costs, food-related expenses, supplies, grooming and much more. To help with financial planning as a family welcomes a Red Setter into their home, we have designed a detailed cost calculator. An Irish Setter puppy is likely to cost between $700-$2,500 with the average price being $1,200. First-year expenses are around $3,275 and will be about $1,675/year (or $140/month) after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning an Irish Setter is $25,050. These figures account for essential expenses, such as supplies, training, medical costs, food, treats, grooming costs, license, microchip, and the like. Additionally, optional costs like insurance or dog walking services are not included. If you spay/neuter your dog, enroll in a pet insurance plan, use a boarding facility for one week every year and require a dog walker for 50 weeks of the year, the total cost of ownership is likely to rise to the $88,940 to $235,560 range. The higher end of the price range is applicable for better quality products and services, particularly if you are living in expensive areas, with the lower end of the spectrum indicating prices in less expensive areas. Below, we delve into these different costs, offer professional opinions from a dog trainer, a licensed veterinarian, a certified groomer as well as a dog walker and share tips on saving as you raise your Irish Setter. At the bottom, you will also find a cost calculator that lets you apply your unique situation and requirements to generate a much more accurate, personalized estimate of the cost of owning and raising a Red Setter. Quick Links What is the price of an Irish Setter puppy? Our team has combed through 30 ads from sources like the American Kennel Club, NextDayPets, and PuppyFind, to find the average price of purchasing an Irish Setter puppy to be $1,200, with 80% of prices ranging from $700 to $2,500. Some registered purebreds were slightly more expensive. Puppy CostRangeAverage CostIrish Setter$700 - $2,500$1,200 Adoption might be a more affordable alternative, with rehoming fees ranging from $50-$500. And you would be saving an animal. If you are actively looking for a dog, we strongly recommend doing some research and finding a reputable breeder or shelter. This will make a big difference in terms of your Irish Setter’s health and well-being. Puppies Price RangeAds Reviewed$600 - $9506 $951 - $1,30011 $1,301 - $1,6508 $1,651 - $2,0002 $2,001 - $2,3500 $2,351 - $2,6004Total31 This data is 100% original and has been collected by PetBudget's team. The cost of supplies for an Irish Setter Having the right supplies can make welcoming your new Irish Setter into your home that much easier. After sorting through more than 250 items across the best seller lists on Amazon, Walmart and PetSmart, the initial cost of supplies is likely to fall anywhere between $215 and $855. On average, your first-year cost should be around the $450 mark for a large dog. Supplies PricesRangeAverage CostFood & Water Bowls$10 - $40$20Dog Collars (x2) $10 - $40 $20Leash $10 - $30 $15ID Tag with Phone Number $5 - $20 $10Dog Bed (36" or 42") $20 - $85 $50Dog Crate (36" or 42") $30 - $120 $55Plastic Poop Bags (900-1080) $15 - $110 $55Pooper Scooper $10 - $30 $20House Training Pads (75-100) $15 - $45 $25Stains and Odors Removal Spray $5 - $20 $10Toys $50 - $155 $90First-Aid Kit $15 - $50 $30Brush $5 - $45 $15Shampoo $5 - $20 $10Tooth-brushing Kit $5 - $15 $10Toenail Clippers $5 - $30 $15 Things do get cheaper as your dog grows, with the cost for each subsequent year falling between $95 and $385. This puts the average cost for each year after the first one at $215. This includes the cost for items that need to be bought again, such as toys, a bed, shampoo, plastic bags, and a tooth-brushing kit Total Supplies CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year$215 - $855$450Subsequent Years$95 - $385$215 Other equipment, such as a muzzle, clothing, play pens and fences are not included here. Rather, it accounts for essential supplies. To help save on some of these items, second-hand stores, local pet shops and popular websites might be worth considering. Do Irish Setters need professional training? Dog trainer and animal behaviorist Alexa Diaz, Ph.D., would recommend a few group training sessions for an Irish Setter. These would cover basic obedience, house manners, positive leadership, as well as jumping and typically cost $150 to $200 for 5 hours (5 weekly 1-hour lessons). Irish Setters usually do not need any private training. Training CostRangeAverage CostIrish Setter$150 - $200$175 There are also many good dog training books out there that will ease the process of training your dog, especially for first time owners. Medical costs to consider for a Red Setter Licensed veterinarian Leslie Brooks, DVM, shared her knowledge and experience to establish the medical expenses related to raising an Irish Setter. The following figures can obviously vary depending on many factors such as location but still give a reliable and trustworthy picture of what a Red Setter's owner should expect. Medical CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year Vet Cost$425 - $795$610Spay/Neuter (optional)$50 - $450$250Gastropexy$200 - $400$300Adult Year Vet Cost$425 - $825$625 Vet cost for an Irish Setter puppy According to Leslie Brooks, DVM, an Irish Setter puppy will require at least three vet visits through their first year ($65-$170 each time), with the first visit being at 8 weeks of age. This will include all the essential: physical exam, essential vaccines, fecal examination to make sure no deworming is needed as well as heartworm and flea prevention first three doses. She would also advise purchasing heartworm and flea prevention medication for the rest of the year. They each cost around $10-$15 per month for a puppy. Moreover, your pup may require some additional vaccines that depend largely on lifestyle and activity. If your Red Setter spends a lot of time camping or hiking and is generally exposed to wildlife and standing water, Leptospirosis vaccine ($15-25) can be recommended. If your dog is boarded or kept in a kennel for extended amounts of time, Influenza vaccines may be necessary ($70-$90 including a booster shot). Additionally, if your dog goes camping, hiking or lives in a wooden area or on a farm, it will be more exposed to ticks, and Lyme shots are strongly recommended ($60-$80 including the booster shot). The yearly costs will therefore range from $425-$795. A neuter (male) or spay (female) procedure on a Red Setter, generally cost $150 to $450. Depending on the location, it is possible to find low cost clinics that will charge as low as $50-$100. As Red Setters tend to be large, deep-chested dogs, Leslie Brooks recommends a Gastropexy procedure, which usually costs $200-$400 when performed at the time of sterilization. It is an efficient way to help prevent the stomach to twist on itself (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus or GDV) which is life threatening and would require an expensive surgery to be corrected. Medical expenses for the following years According to veterinarians like Leslie Brooks, DVM, for each subsequent year, you should make an annual trip to the vet for an exam, vaccines, heartworm test and blood work (for middle aged and senior dogs) to find potential hidden problems. This should run you $125-$265 depending on location. Dr Brooks also recommends following through with heartworm and flea prevention medication, which usually cost around $100-$150 and $200-$250 for the year, respectively for a Red Setter. The lifestyle vaccines, Leptospirosis ($15-$25), Influenza ($35-$45) and/or Lyme ($30-$40) may also require annual booster shots. Finally, if your Irish Setter is regularly in contact with other pets or shows inconsistent stool quality, a fecal examination ($40-$50) will be recommended. Irish Setters potential health issues The table below introduces some of the potential health problems a Red Setter owner might have to deal with during his dog’s life according to licensed veterinarian Leslie Brooks. Health ProblemLikelihoodTreatment Cost EstimateOtitis ExternaHigh$150 - $300CancerMedium$500 - $10,000EpilepsyMedium$500 - $2,500MegaesophagusMedium$2,000 - $5,000Immune Mediated Hemolytic AnemiaMedium$800 - $3,000AllergiesMedium$100 - $2,000 per year Otitis externa (ear infection): usually treating an ear infection can cost around $150 including the exam, ear swab/cytology, and ear medications. But sometimes a dog may need more expensive ear meds. Also, this can be a recurring cost if a dog has ear infections multiple times a year. Cancer: the cost really depends on the type of cancer (the most common being lymphoma for Irish Setters) and if an owner pursues aggressive therapy and all the recommended treatments, versus if they elect to just keep the pet comfortable with medications. Epilepsy: this is a cost estimate for diagnostics and lifelong medications. The high end of the range is for dogs who need an MRI. Megaesophagus: the cost can vary drastically, depending if the dog needs an expensive surgery and multiple visits to the hospital or if they have a mild case that can be managed with special medical care and medications. Immune mediated hemolytic anemia: the cost estimate covers diagnostics, treatment with medications, blood transfusion if needed, and follow up blood work. Allergies: this depends if the pet has allergies throughout the year or just 1-2 flare ups per year. It would also depend on the owner’s decision to proceed with allergy testing and injections. Note that the pet may also need to be fed prescription food, which can easily be as high as $100 per month. Pet insurance price Some dog owners will get pet insurance for their dog. Know that the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry report put the average price of accident and illness coverage plans for dogs at $565. If you opt for an accident-only plan, expect to pay around $190 per annum. These prices will obviously vary a lot depending on many factors and you will need to contact insurance companies or brokers to get a more precise estimate. The cost to feed an Irish Setter Irish Setters are large and grow to be 65 lb. on average (usually 60 to 70 lb.). They will need quite a lot of food and owners can expect to spend $155-$310/year for a puppy and $140-$450/year for an adult dog. In fact, a puppy will eat around 200 lb. of dry food during the first year and adult Irish Setters can be expected to consume about 290 lb. annually. These cost estimations were made using prices of some of the most popular brands including Purina, Pedigree and Blue Buffalo. Yearly Food CostRangeAverage CostPuppy$155 - $310$230Adult Dog$140 - $450$265 Most dog owners will also feed their furry friend treats daily. They can be as expensive if not more than dog food itself. Once again, this is based on prices from PetSmart, Amazon, and Walmart best sellers. Treats CostRangeAverage CostYearly Treats$125 - $715$345 Four dog food brands compared The following table compares the price of 200 lb. of puppy dry food from four popular brands. Puppy Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Puppy Chow36 lb.6$27.78 (Walmart)$166.68Purina One - Smart Blend Puppy16.5 lb.13$21.98 (Walmart)$285.74Pedigree - Puppy36 lb.6$25.83 (Walmart)$154.98Blue Buffalo - Puppy30 lb.7$44.08 (Amazon)$308.56 An adult Irish Setter owner will need to buy around 290 lb. of dry food every year. Adult Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Dog Chow50 lb.6$22.98 (Walmart)$137.88Purina One - Smart Blend40 lb.8$40.36 (Walmart)$322.88Pedigree - Adult50 lb.6$25.83 (Walmart)$154.98Blue Buffalo - Adult30 lb.10$44.98 (Amazon)$449.80 Additionally, dog food is perishable, but can be stored for extended periods of time. So, consider bulk-purchasing food for your dog to save money. You should also consult with your veterinarian to decide the most appropriate diet for your Irish Setter. Example for a more expensive premium brand Royal Canin - Size Health NutritionQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PriceLarge Puppy35 lb.6$73.99 (PetSmart)$443.94Large Adult35 lb.9$68.99 (PetSmart)$620.91 This illustrates the price difference between budget-friendly and premium dog food. Irish Setter grooming cost According to Corryne Smith, certified dog groomer, Irish Setters could be groomed by their owners as their coat would be easy enough to maintain for most. A grooming kit that allows you to groom your Irish Setter at home can be found for anywhere between $25 and $290, with an average cost of $75, depending on the equipment required (Walmart, PetSmart, and Amazon for example). An owner that does not want to do it himself or does not have the time should have the dog professionally groomed up to 6 times a year. For a Red Setter, each visit to a grooming salon should cost between $50 and $70. Professional grooming generally includes a bath and shampoo, hair removal if necessary, brushing and styling, ear, teeth, and eye cleaning as well as nail trimming. The price of grooming services varies depending on the dog size, coat condition, health and age, dog behavior and the services requested. Yearly Grooming CostRangeAverage CostIrish Setter$0 - $420$210 Additional costs to consider Additional CostsRangeAverage CostLicense$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40 Dog Walking (per walk) $20 - $50 $35 Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 License On average, the cost of a license in the U.S.A ranges between $10 and $20. It could be slightly higher if your dog is not spayed or neutered. In many states and territories, it is against the law to have an unlicensed dog, so we highly recommend getting your Irish Setter licensed as early as possible. In the unfortunate event that your dog is lost in the future, a license will also make locating it that much easier. Microchip Microchips play a crucial role in the identification of your dog. Many states require pets to be microchipped, making it a necessity depending on where you live. This can run you $25-$50 on average. Dog walking If you cannot walk your dog during the day, Tamaria Reddick, a well-reputed dog walker and dog sitter, would recommend hiring a dog walker for a daily 1-hour walk, as Irish Setters need a lot of exercise and outdoor time. A 1-hour walk usually costs between $20 and $50 ($15 to $25 for 30 minutes) depending on your location. But you must be aware that those costs add up very quickly if you need a dog walker five days a week all year long. To find a dog walker in your area and validate the price, you can use apps like Rover or Wag. If the dog is not properly socialized, it might need private walks which are more expensive. Traveling If you are traveling for an extended period, you will also need to consider the price of pet-services, such as dog boarding (or dog sitting). Prices vary depending on location, the time of the year and the level of service but you can reasonably expect to pay somewhere between $25 to $85 per day of dog boarding. During particularly busy times, such as the holiday season, we recommend booking such services in advance, as you are likely to get better rates, while also guaranteeing a safe and secure place for your dog to stay. The most affordable and sensible option, however, is to see if any family and/or friends might be comfortable with hosting your dog, as this drastically cuts your costs. Apart from these types of services, taking your dog with you is also an option. These days, many airlines and train companies can make provisions for dogs provided you submit a request ahead of time. The cost varies drastically and can only be assessed on a case-by-case basis, as it depends on several variables such as location, destination, mode of transport, etc. Yearly and monthly cost of an Irish Setter How much is a Red Setter puppy during the first year? The average cost of raising an Irish Setter for the first year falls within the $1,805 to $5,865 range, with an average cost of $3,275. Most of these expenses will happen early and will hardly be avoidable, as they are essential to the health and well-being of your Irish Setter. First Year CostsRangeAverage CostPuppy$700 - $2,500$1,200Supplies$215 - $855$450Training$150 - $200$175Medical$425 - $795$610Food & Treats$280 - $1,025$575Grooming$0 - $420$210License$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40First Year Total$1,805 - $5,865$3,275 Potential additional expenses include sterilization, dog insurance and services like dog walking and dog boarding. Optional First Year CostsRangeAverage CostSpay/Neuter$50 - $450$250Gastropexy$200 - $400$300Insurance$350 - $780$565Dog Walking (1 hour per day)$20 - $50$35Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 Assuming you spay/neuter your dog, require the services of a dog walker 5 days a week for 42 weeks (1-hour walks), enroll in an insurance plan and use a boarding service for 1 week of the year, your first year cost is likely to rise into the $6,780 to $18,590 range. Potential First Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$2,405 - $7,495$4,390With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$6,780 - $18,590$12,020 Adult Irish Setter yearly and monthly costs For each adult year, an Irish Setter will require $795-$2,815 in essential expenses, depending on your locality as well as the pet-related businesses that are accessible to you. On a monthly basis we are talking costs in the $66-$235 range or $140 on average. Adult Year CostsRangeAverage CostSupplies$95 - $385$215Medical$425 - $825$625Food & Treats$265 - $1,165$610Grooming$0 - $420$210License$10 - $20$15Adult Year Total$795 - $2,815$1,675Estimated Monthly Cost$66 - $235$140 Assuming you use a dog walker every weekday for 50 weeks, maintain your insurance enrollment and send the dog to a boarding facility for 1 week, you can expect to spend as high as $6,320-$16,690 every year ($527-$1,391 every month). Potential Adult Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Insurance$1,145 - $3,595$2,240With Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$6,320 - $16,690$11,270 Irish Setter cost of ownership Irish Setters have an average life expectancy of 14 years (usually 12 to 15 years). This puts the overall cost of ownership in the $12,140 to $42,460 range using the figures outlined above. On average, an owner can expect to spend $25,050 over the years. Total Cost of Ownership (14 years)RangeAverage CostIrish Setter$12,140 - $42,460$25,050 Using the same additional costs scenarios introduced in the previous sections of the article (spay/neuter, insurance, dog walking and dog boarding), you will be looking at total cost of ownership range of $88,940 to $235,560, with an average overall cost of $158,530 for 14 years. Potential Total Cost of Ownership (14 years)RangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$17,290 - $54,230$33,510With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$88,940 - $235,560$158,530 Thank you for reading us! Stay tuned for more information about pet costs, product reviews and saving tips. PetBudget Irish Setter cost calculator The cost of an Irish Setter – A summary in 7 questions 1- How much is an Irish Setter puppy? On average an Irish Setter puppy will cost $1,200 in the USA. Most puppies can be found between $700 and $2,500. The price will vary depending on the breeder and location as well as the dog’s bloodline, color, and age among other things. 2 – How much are dog supplies? A new owner can expect an initial investment between $215 and $855 in supplies when welcoming a large dog. Every year, the cost to renew some of them should be between $95 and $385. Prices vary depending on location, stores, brands, and products quality. 3 - Does an Irish Setter need training and how much will it cost? Having an Irish Setter professionally trained is usually recommended (group training) and should cost around $150 to $200. For this breed, training should mainly focus on basic obedience, house manners, positive leadership, and jumping. 4 - What is the cost of preventive medical care for an Irish Setter? Preventive medical care should amount to around $425 to $795 for an Irish Setter puppy during the first year and around $425 to $825 every adult year. This does not include spay or neuter and gastropexy procedures (usually $150 to $450 and $200 to $400 respectively). 5 - How much food does an Irish Setter eat and how much will it cost? An Irish Setter puppy will eat around 200 lb. and an adult close to 290 lb. of dry food yearly (it varies for each dog and food brand). Annual expenses should be between $155 and $445 for a puppy and $140 to $625 for an adult dog. Other types of food and treats would increase the costs. 6 - How often should an Irish Setter be professionally groomed and how much will it cost? Grooming an Irish Setter is easy enough that most owners should be able to do it themselves. Those who prefer having their dog professionally groomed can expect up to 6 visits to a salon every year. Each session should cost from $50 to $70 depending on the dog and services needed. 7 – Are there any other expenses to expect? In the United States, a dog license usually costs between $10 and $20. The cost could be slightly higher if the dog is not spayed or neutered. Having the dog licensed is mandatory almost everywhere. A dog microchip costs $25 to $50 on average in the US and is generally implanted during a medical appointment. It is placed under the skin usually between the shoulder blades. Dogs adopted from a shelter or bought from a breeder sometimes already have a microchip. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report, the average annual price is $566 for accident and illness coverage plans or $190 for accident only plans. Dog walkers usually charge $15 to $25 for 30 minutes group walks and $20 to $50 for 1-hour long ones. Prices vary mainly depending on location. Private walks are more expensive. A dog owner should budget $25 to $85 per day for dog boarding services. Prices vary depending on location, time of the year, and the level of service among other things. To help you out, this guide contains all the primary expenses that are necessary to ensure your future dog’s well-being. Make sure to take these considerations seriously before adopting or purchasing an Irish Setter, as they are imperative to your dog leading a healthy, happy, and comfortable life in your home. Moreover, the dog should not be a financial burden on you or your family, so make sure to carefully read through each section to better understand the expenses that come with raising an Irish Setter. Figures provided in this article are for informational purposes only. A dog owner should always find the actual costs applicable to his own situation before making any decision. References and Resources Leslie Brooks, DVM – Licensed Veterinarian Mendi Baryzk, DVM – Licensed VeterinarianAlexa Diaz, Ph. D. – Animal BehavioristCorryne Smith – Dog GroomerTamaria Reddick – Dog Walker, Pet SitterOrthopedic Foundation for AnimalsThe American Kennel ClubNorth American Pet Health Insurance AssociationAssociation of Professional Dog Trainers This article is original content from PetBudget.