Is the Irish Setter or the Siberian Husky better for families with children?

Both the Irish Setter and the Siberian Husky are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Irish Setter or the Siberian Husky?

The Siberian Husky 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 Irish Setter or the Siberian Husky?

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

Is Irish Setter or Siberian Husky bigger?

Irish Setter is the larger breed; Siberian Husky is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, Irish Setter or Siberian Husky?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Irish Setter or Siberian Husky?

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

Irish Setter vs Siberian Husky: Which Sheds Less?

Irish Setter vs Siberian Husky: full comparison

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

Key differences at a glance

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

Size and living space

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

Exercise and energy needs

The Irish Setter is a true athlete that needs intense daily exercise and a job to do, or it will get restless. The Siberian Husky is a true athlete that needs intense daily exercise and a job to do, or it will get restless. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Irish Setter demands daily coat care plus professional grooming to stay in shape and sheds quite a lot — expect fur on furniture and clothes. The Siberian Husky needs plenty of coat work, including trips to a groomer and sheds heavily year-round and needs frequent vacuuming to keep up. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Irish Setter trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions, speaks up only now and then and is famously gentle and patient with children. The Siberian Husky needs a bit of persistence but comes along with consistency, speaks up only now and then and is famously gentle and patient with children. On guarding instinct, Irish Setter has almost no watchdog instinct and welcomes everyone, whereas Siberian Husky has almost no watchdog instinct and welcomes everyone.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Siberian Husky has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Irish Setter and Siberian Husky 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, Siberian Husky has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Irish Setter has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Irish Setter if you want an easier dog to train, you want a more adaptable dog, or you want less shedding around the home.

Choose the Siberian Husky if you prefer lower grooming upkeep, you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog, or you want a longer-lived breed.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Irish Setter or the Siberian Husky better for families with children?: Both the Irish Setter and the Siberian Husky are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Irish Setter or the Siberian Husky?: The Siberian Husky 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 Irish Setter or the Siberian Husky?: The Irish Setter is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Irish Setter or Siberian Husky bigger?: Irish Setter is the larger breed; Siberian Husky is smaller and more compact.
Which barks more, Irish Setter or Siberian Husky?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, Irish Setter or Siberian Husky?: For apartment or apartment living, Siberian Husky has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Irish Setter vs Siberian Husky