Is the Golden Retriever or the Irish Setter better for families with children?

Both the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Setter?

The Golden Retriever sheds more than the Irish Setter. If shedding is a concern, the Irish Setter is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Setter?

The Golden Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Golden Retriever or Irish Setter bigger?

Golden Retriever and Irish Setter are a similar size (Large).

Which barks more, Golden Retriever or Irish Setter?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Golden Retriever or Irish Setter?

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

Golden Retriever vs Irish Setter: Which Trains Easier?

Golden Retriever vs Irish Setter: full comparison

Trait	Golden Retriever	Irish Setter
Size	Large	Large
Energy level	High	Very High
Trainability	Very High	Medium
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	Very High	High
Barking	Low	Low
Protectiveness	Very Low	Very Low
Adaptability	Very High	High
Typical lifespan	11 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Golden Retriever has noticeably higher trainability than the Irish Setter.

Size and living space

The Golden Retriever is a large dog that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. By comparison, the Irish Setter is a large dog that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and drops hair heavily in every season. The Irish Setter is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds enough that regular cleaning becomes routine. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Golden Retriever is highly intelligent and learns new commands remarkably fast, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Irish Setter is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Golden Retriever has little guarding instinct and greets strangers as friends, whereas Irish Setter has little guarding instinct and greets strangers as friends.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Golden Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Golden Retriever and Irish Setter are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Golden Retriever has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Golden Retriever and Irish Setter are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Irish Setter has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Golden Retriever if you want an easier dog to train, you want a more adaptable dog, or you want a calmer, lower-energy companion.

Choose the Irish Setter if you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure, you want less shedding around the home, or you want a longer-lived breed.

Not sure which breed is right for you?

Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.

Find your perfect match

Frequently asked questions

Is the Golden Retriever or the Irish Setter better for families with children?: Both the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Setter?: The Golden Retriever sheds more than the Irish Setter. If shedding is a concern, the Irish Setter is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Setter?: The Golden Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Golden Retriever or Irish Setter bigger?: Golden Retriever and Irish Setter are a similar size (Large).
Which barks more, Golden Retriever or Irish Setter?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, Golden Retriever or Irish Setter?: For apartment or apartment living, Golden Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Golden Retriever vs Irish Setter