Is the Bearded Collie or the Irish Setter better for families with children?

Both the Bearded Collie and the Irish Setter are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Bearded Collie or the Irish Setter?

The Bearded Collie and Irish Setter shed a similar amount (high).

Which is easier to train, the Bearded Collie or the Irish Setter?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Bearded Collie or Irish Setter bigger?

Irish Setter is the larger breed; Bearded Collie is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, Bearded Collie or Irish Setter?

Bearded Collie tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Irish Setter is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Bearded Collie or Irish Setter?

For apartment or apartment living, Bearded Collie has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Bearded Collie vs Irish Setter: Which Is Calmer?

Bearded Collie vs Irish Setter: full comparison

Trait	Bearded Collie	Irish Setter
Size	Medium	Large
Energy level	High	Very High
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	High	High
Barking	Medium	Low
Protectiveness	Low	Very Low
Adaptability	High	High
Typical lifespan	13 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Irish Setter is a larger dog than the Bearded Collie, which affects space, food and exercise needs.

Size and living space

The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized dog that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. By comparison, the Irish Setter is a large dog that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Bearded Collie needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The Irish Setter requires intense exercise and mental work daily; without it, trouble follows. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Bearded Collie is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. The Irish Setter is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Bearded Collie picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Irish Setter picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, is generally quiet, barking only occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Bearded Collie shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers, whereas Irish Setter has almost no watchdog instinct and welcomes everyone.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Bearded Collie has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Bearded Collie and Irish Setter are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Irish Setter has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Bearded Collie has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Bearded Collie and Irish Setter are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Bearded Collie if you want a more protective, watchful guardian, you want a calmer, lower-energy companion, or you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

Choose the Irish Setter if you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure, you prefer a quieter dog, or you want a bigger, more substantial dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Bearded Collie or the Irish Setter better for families with children?: Both the Bearded Collie and the Irish Setter are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Bearded Collie or the Irish Setter?: The Bearded Collie and Irish Setter shed a similar amount (high).
Which is easier to train, the Bearded Collie or the Irish Setter?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Bearded Collie or Irish Setter bigger?: Irish Setter is the larger breed; Bearded Collie is smaller and more compact.
Which barks more, Bearded Collie or Irish Setter?: Bearded Collie tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Irish Setter is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Bearded Collie or Irish Setter?: For apartment or apartment living, Bearded Collie has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Bearded Collie vs Irish Setter