How Much Does an Irish Setter Really Cost?

Quick Take

• Both the cheapest and most expensive Irish setter puppies can be a red flag, and they raise concern for the very same reason. See what price signals →
• Wait too long to buy pet insurance and you may lose the ability to use it for the costs that matter most. See insurance timing advice →
• One daily habit could save you hundreds of dollars a year in veterinary bills, yet most dog owners skip it entirely. See the daily brushing tip →
• The sticker price of an Irish setter puppy tells you almost nothing about what owning one will actually cost you. Explore the true ownership costs →

Planning ahead is important when adopting any pet. Something many people forget when wrapped up in the excitement of adopting an Irish setter is to plan for the cost of their care! In this article, we’ll discuss how much Irish setters cost, including puppy prices, daily care, and veterinary care. Please remember that Irish setter prices will vary based on your area. Prices listed in this article are based on average costs and may not reflect the exact prices where you live.

How Much Does an Irish Setter Puppy Cost?

Irish setter puppies from a breeder can range in price from $1,000–$2,500 or more. If you choose to adopt from a rescue or shelter, it will typically cost between $150-$300, depending on the type of organization you adopt from. A shelter will be less expensive than a dedicated rescue.

For reputable breeders, this cost goes back into the dogs to cover genetic health testing, food, veterinary bills, and other expenses. Reputable rescues function similarly, with your adoption fees helping them to rescue future dogs.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of an Irish Setter

Your Irish setter puppy may range in price due to the breeder’s location, the dog’s pedigree, and the care that the breeder puts into their dogs. Very cheap Irish setters are likely going to be from puppy mills or backyard breeders. However, the same often goes for very expensive pups! Irresponsible breeders often try to minimize their costs at the dogs’ expense while also charging as much as they can get away with to further maximize profits.

Most, but not all, reputable breeders will charge a mid-range price. Breeders in areas with high cost of living will typically charge more for their puppies, as will those whose puppies have famous or award-winning lineage. Puppies that are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or that have had extensive genetic testing may also cost more.

Please keep in mind that reputable breeders rarely recoup what they spend on their dogs, especially when you account for their time raising and training the puppies. If your breeder goes above and beyond in this realm, they may charge extra as well. One obvious example is if you’re purchasing a service dog that’s received a great deal of training.

Cost of Vaccinations and Other Medical Expenses for Irish Setters

Veterinary care is an important cost to factor into adopting a dog. Consider whether you can afford both routine care and emergency expenses. Keep in mind that emergency expenses can quickly run into the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. This is what makes pet insurance essential, especially for those of us without large savings accounts.

Vaccines

Vaccines will typically cost around $25-$90 a piece, depending on the specific vaccine, the cost of living in your area, your vet’s pricing, and whether you utilize a free or low-cost program. Sometimes, organizations such as animal shelters will have free vaccination days for low-income community members. The rabies vaccine is required by law in most states, while everything else is typically optional.

Dog vaccines are split into two categories: core vaccines that vets recommend for every dog and optional vaccines that depend on the dog’s lifestyle. A dog receiving both core and optional vaccines should cost you between $300 and $800 in the first year, depending on vaccine costs and frequency. You’ll also pay around $150-$300 yearly for the remainder of your setter’s life, depending on the vaccine schedule.

Most people will fall somewhere in the middle of these ranges, as your vet will likely recommend some non-core vaccines, but most dogs don’t require all of them. For instance, I don’t live in an area with rattlesnakes and haven’t had the vaccine recommended for my pups. However, the Lyme vaccine is highly recommended due to the amount of deer ticks in my area. 

Spay or Neuter Surgery

Spay or neuter surgery costs can vary greatly depending on your vet or whether you even see a vet for the procedure. Low-cost clinics may charge $150 or less, but at a private veterinary clinic you can generally expect to pay anywhere from around $200 to over $800. There are low-cost programs that spay and neuter a massive amount of animals in very short time frames and charge much less than a veterinary clinic.

The benefit of having the surgery done at your vet’s office is that your dog will be closely monitored and will have more resources available to them should something go wrong. Your vet may also complete a physical before the surgery to ensure your dog is healthy enough for the procedure and is more likely to prescribe painkillers after the surgery.

Check-Ups

Check-ups can vary in price depending on where you go, the tests your vet decides to run, and if any problems arise. A basic check-up should include a physical exam, bloodwork, heartworm test, and stool sample. You can expect to pay between $75 and $250 per visit.

Healthy adult dogs should see the vet for an annual check-up and whenever they’re sick. Puppies tend to visit more often while they’re receiving their initial vaccines, and seniors should be brought in for a check-up once every six months.

Parasite Prevention Medications

Parasite prevention medications are used to prevent your dog from getting fleas, ticks, mites, heartworms, and other pests. They’re vital to keeping your dog healthy and should be utilized year-round. These medications generally cost $100-$500 per year.

While parasite prevention medications can be expensive, treatment once a dog is infested is often more costly. It can also be a long process to get rid of pests like fleas once they’re in the home, and things like heartworms are incredibly painful for your dog.

Dental Care

Dental care is generally $300-$700+ per cleaning. You can save a lot of money on dental care by keeping on top of your Irish setter’s teeth at home. This includes brushing their teeth daily and providing chews and other dental hygiene items.

Veterinarians typically recommend yearly professional cleanings, but many people don’t brush their dogs’ teeth. Your vet is likely to recommend against yearly dental cleanings if your dog’s teeth are clean and healthy.

Sick Vet Visits

There’s no way to predict how your Irish setter will get sick throughout their lifetime or how much it will cost. Sick veterinary visits can range from simple problems that cost a few hundred dollars to treatments that cost tens of thousands. Pet insurance can make your spending much more predictable in this area, especially if you purchase a plan that covers the entirety of your bill.

Cost of Food and Supplies for Irish Setter

To determine expenses for your Irish Setter, you also need to account for the cost of food, as well as other supplies. Some will likely be one-time purchases, while others may need to be upgraded as your pup grows.

Food

The cost of dog food heavily depends on what you feed your dog. Since Irish setters are large, active dogs, most people choose to feed kibble, as it’s the most budget-friendly. You might also choose to feed canned, fresh, raw, or some combination of these with kibble.

Please remember that more expensive foods aren’t always better for your dog’s health. Veterinarians will typically recommend a food that meets WSAVA guidelines, which includes employing a veterinary nutritionist to formulate the diet. 

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) both recommend against feeding dogs raw food for the health of pets and humans alike. The cost of a high-quality veterinarian-approved kibble plus treats is around $500+ yearly.

Supplies

Overall, the budget for supplies will vary depending on what you choose to buy. You may spend as little as $200 or as much as $600+ on your dog’s supplies.

Your initial purchases may include:

• Food and water bowls
• Collar and leash
• Harness
• Brush
• Nail clippers or Dremel tool
• Crate and mat
• Dog bed
• Crash-tested doggy seatbelt or crate for the car (optional but highly recommended)

It’s important to note that some of these items may be one-time purchases, such as quality stainless steel water bowls. However, harnesses, crates, and beds will need to be replaced as they become worn or as your puppy grows. You may also want to stock up on repeat purchases such as toys, dental care items, or treats.

Other Household Purchases

You might also need to purchase household items for your Irish Setter, such as baby gates, furniture covers, or even fencing for the backyard. As you can imagine, these things vary wildly in price and depend heavily on your home and lifestyle. Some people will only need to buy a $40 baby gate to block off the stairs, while others will spend thousands on fencing.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure an Irish Setter?

Pet insurance for Irish setters typically costs anywhere from $20-$120 a month. The biggest factor that affects price is your plan’s coverage. Less expensive plans tend to have higher deductibles and cover a smaller percentage of your vet bill. They don’t tend to cover wellness visits. A low deductible plan that covers 90-100% of the bill, or a plan that covers wellness visits, is going to be the most expensive.

Other factors are your Irish setter’s age and the company you purchase a plan from. Please keep in mind that the majority of pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions. If you want to purchase pet insurance, you should do so as soon as you adopt your dog.

Generally, pet insurance is recommended unless you have a large savings account already set up upon adoption. Some people choose to begin putting money into savings post-adoption, but this is a gamble, as you’re betting on your pup not getting sick until you’ve saved enough to cover it and never getting sicker than you can afford.

How Much Does It Cost to Train an Irish Setter?

Training can range from free to thousands of dollars. Training your Irish setter by yourself costs little more than treats and time, while one-on-one training sessions are the most expensive. Puppy classes fall in the middle. If you don’t know anything about training dogs, finding a good puppy class with a force-free dog trainer is highly recommended. You can often find 6-8 week group classes for $150-$300.

Personal dog trainers typically cost between $100 and $250, but it may cost more depending on the area and the type of training you require, such as basic obedience or behavior modification. Board and train courses usually last around two weeks. This type of immersive training can often run from $1,500 to $4,000.