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German Shepherd Irish Setters are a hybrid dog resulting from pairing the two breeds in its title. While this isn’t a very popular mix, those fortunate enough to own one can enjoy the best of two worlds: a loyal pet willing to do anything to protect their family and a fun, sweet-natured pup who’ll do anything for a laugh. However, though this hybrid has many redeeming qualities, it isn’t the right dog for every family. Read on to learn more about the German Shepherd Irish Setter mix to see if it’ll be the best pick for your lifestyle.
Breed Overview
Height:
21.5–26.5 inches
Weight:
49–88 pounds
Lifespan:
6–12 years
Colors:
Varies; chestnut, mahogany, red, black, gray, sable, white, blue, etc.
Suitable for:
Active families with older children
Temperament:
Loyal, confident, steady, active, outgoing, sweet-natured
The German Shepherd Irish Setter is an interesting mixed dog as the parent breeds can have very polarizing personalities. The German Shepherd is known for its protective and loyal nature, while the Irish Setter makes for a sweet-natured companion and rollicking playmate for children. Together, these two breeds form a large, intelligent, and faithful companion with many redeeming qualities.
German Shepherd Irish Setter Mix Puppies
German Shepherds are one of the most beloved dog breeds, consistently making the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular breeds1. Irish Setters, on the other hand, rank in the middle of the list. Their populations seemed to have peaked in the 1970s and have dropped dramatically since. Therefore,
German Shepherd Irish Setters aren’t that common of a mixed breed. Finding a breeder specializing in this unique hybrid may be quite a challenge. Instead of scouring the internet for breeders, you may have better luck reaching out to your local rescues or shelters to see if they have one waiting for their forever home.
German Shepherd Irish Setter Mix Origin & History
Not much is known about the origins of the German Shepherd Irish Setter hybrid. Both breeds have fantastic qualities that make them great family dogs and companions, so it’s not hard to see why the mixed breed exists. Still, information about the origin and history of the hybrid is non-existent. This could be because this isn’t a very popular mixed breed or simply because no one knows anything about its beginnings.
Temperament & Intelligence of the German Shepherd Irish Setter Mix
The German Shepherd Irish Setter is an intelligent breed with parents that have historically been used as working dogs. As such, owners can expect their pups to thrive in environments where they’re challenged both mentally and physically. Due to their working dog DNA, this hybrid can have a strong prey drive, which may mean they’ll need to be left on a leash or inside your fenced yard all the time.
They can be very sensitive dogs. As such, they generally don’t like irregular daily routines, noisy households, or frequent visits from strangers. That’s not to say they won’t be friendly toward strangers; however, you’ll need to do a lot of socialization and training to get them off on the right foot.
The Irish Setter in your hybrid dog will make them extremely playful. Even the German Shepherd side enjoys interactive play with other dogs and their human family members.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 
This breed can be protective and fearless in the face of danger, as their German Shepherd parent often excels in police and protection roles. While Irish Setters are very loyal toward their families, they don’t have the same natural guarding instincts. This can mean that your mixed breed pup may or may not make a great guardian, depending on which parent they take after more.
The German Shepherd Irish Setter can be very friendly and may naturally match the energy level of the home. If you have elementary-aged kids, this can mean they become best friends with your family dog.
However, due to their size, you may want to wait until your children are older before adopting one. They can weigh up to 90 pounds and may inadvertently hurt small kids or those who do not yet know how to handle a dog properly.
It’s a bit of a catch-22 how closely German Shepherd Irish Setters bond with their human companions. It’s this connection that makes this breed prone to separation anxiety. If left untreated, it can lead to problematic behaviors like destruction of property and excessive barking. Dogs with separation anxiety shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods as it can exacerbate the problem.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The German Shepherd Irish Setter can absolutely get along with other household pets, especially if they’re properly socialized from a young age. This is due mostly to the Irish Setter in the DNA. This breed is known for its outgoingness and ability to make friends wherever they go. German Shepherds are not quite as easygoing, and some become aloof when they hit social maturity.
However, it is important to understand that individual temperaments vary, and some dogs may be more friendly, reserved, suspicious, or territorial by nature.
Things to Know When Owning a German Shepherd Irish Setter Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 
German Shepherd Irish Setters are large breed dogs that require a diet designed specifically to meet their nutritional needs.
It’s especially important to feed a large breed-specific puppy food when your pet is still young, as these breeds can grow very quickly. If they’re not fed appropriately, their skeletons sometimes won’t grow at the same rate, potentially causing developmental orthopedic conditions. We recommend talking with your veterinarian about when your puppy should switch over to adult food, though you should expect to feed them puppy formulations until they’re around 12 to 18 months old.
Commercial dog foods formulated for large breeds often contain ingredients to support joint health, like omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine.
To reduce your German Shepherd Irish Setter’s risk of developing bloat and gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), do not allow them to exercise 30 minutes before or after eating. Smaller, more frequent meals can also help prevent bloat and GDV.
Since these dogs are often very active with high metabolisms, they may require more food than expected. However, you mustn’t overfeed them as they could then potentially become overweight, which could exacerbate the orthopedic issues they may be prone to developing. We recommend speaking with your veterinary team to determine the proper portion sizes.
Exercise 
German Shepherd Irish Setters are active and athletic dogs requiring a lot of exercise to stay happy, healthy, and physically stimulated. Dogs not getting the appropriate amount of physical activity may turn to problem behaviors due to their pent-up energy.
You should expect to commit around two hours daily to exercising your dog. The type of activity you do will depend entirely on your pup’s personality. Some German Shepherd Irish Setters enjoy long walks, while others like playing walks, going for swims, or participating in (and excelling at) various dog sports (e.g., herding, agility, tracking, etc.).
Training 
This is a highly intelligent breed thanks to their German Shepherd DNA. German Shepherds belong to the top three smartest dog breeds, boasting the mental capacity of a human toddler2! They’re exceptionally obedient, instinctual, and fast learners.
Irish Setters aren’t known for their intelligence in the same way as German Shepherds. They tend to mature slowly, mentally and physically, and remain in their puppy phase longer, making the need for early training and socialization even more important.
Some owners may encounter issues training German Shepherd Irish Setter as the breed may be prone to stubbornness. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to learn, so it’s important to be patient and consistent with training to ensure success.
Grooming 
This hybrid will have a medium-length coat that will need some regular maintenance. To keep your pup’s coat looking its best, you’ll need to brush them at least twice weekly. You should expect some degree of shedding, as both parent breeds do a fair amount, especially during the seasonal changes. Sticking to your brushing regimen during these times can help remove loose hair and prevent it from spreading throughout your home. Using a no-rinse shampoo can also be beneficial if your dog gets a bit dirty.
Health and Conditions 
The German Shepherd Irish Setter mix is a generally healthy hybrid, though they may be at risk of developing some of the conditions their parent breeds are prone to.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are degenerative joint diseases that can cause lifelong pain and reduced mobility. Over time, the inflammation and scar tissue that result from these diseases can lead to arthritis. Degenerative spinal stenosis, a syndrome of low back pain occurring with the compression of the cauda equina (the sack of nerve roots at the low end of the spinal cord), can occur in medium to large dog breeds and is especially prevalent in German Shepherds.
Bloat and GDV is a life-threatening condition that mostly affects deep-chested breeds, such as the the two that make up the German Shepherd Irish Setter. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas (bloat) and twists upon itself (GDV).
German Shepherd Irish Setters can develop cancers like osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma at any age.
The hybrid may also be at risk of developing inherited eye diseases, epilepsy, skin conditions, heart disease, and allergies.
- Eye conditions
- Allergies
- Skin conditions
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat and GDV
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Epilepsy
Male vs Female
While some people believe that male and female dogs have different personalities based solely upon their sex, most experts agree that it’s more the breed and their upbringing that ultimately decide the dog’s personality. That said, intact males tend to be more aggressive than their neutered counterparts, regardless of breed.
As commonly seen in most other dog breeds, male German Shepherd Irish Setters are typically larger than females. Males can be between 24 and 28 inches tall and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are generally between 22 and 25 inches high and 50 to 70 pounds.
3 Little-Known Facts About the German Shepherd Irish Setter Mix
1. Both parent breeds have been featured in the media.
German Shepherd and Irish Setters both have an extensive history of media portrayals.
Strongheart, a male German Shepherd, is generally regarded as one of the earliest canine film stars, but he’s not the only one. Rin Tin Tin, a Hollywood canine legend, was a German Shepherd.
Kojak is a fictional Irish Setter from the Stephen King novel The Stand. Alex the Dog was a mascot for Stroh’s beer during the 1980s, appearing in parades and morning television shows like the Today Show.
2. Both parent breeds are working dogs.
German Shepherds were bred originally as herding dogs, though they’ve since expanded to many different types of work, including police work, disability assistance, and warfare. Irish Setters were bred as hunting dogs, specifically for locating and pointing gamebirds.
3. The German Shepherd Irish Setter has Europe in their history.
Both parent breeds are from Western Europe, with their country of origin right there in their breed titles. The German Shepherd hails from Germany and was developed using various herding dogs. Though their exact origins are a mystery, the Irish Setter was bred in Ireland and is likely to have descended from a mix of Spaniels, setters, and pointers.
Final Thoughts
The German Shepherd Irish Setter is a very unique and rare hybrid dog breed that combines some of the best traits of both of its parent breeds. These high-energy dogs can grow to be quite large, so they do best in homes with plenty of space to run. They can make decent guard dogs, especially if they take after their German Shepherd side.
Opting for a mixed breed versus a purebred does have an air of unpredictability. Your German Shepherd Irish Setter may take after one side more than the other, so we can’t pinpoint the personality traits they’ll wind up with. The Irish Setter DNA can give them an affectionate, loving, and playful personality, while the German Shepherd side is more reserved, confident, and loyal.
This hybrid may not be the best choice for families with small children or those in apartments or shared dwellings. While Irish Setters are very welcoming and not at all aggressive as a rule, your dog could inherit the German Shepherds’ protective and sometimes aggressive traits. However, properly socialized and well-trained German Shepherd Irish Setters should be well-rounded and well-behaved.
Featured Image Credit: Left- vlaaitje, Pixabay | Right – Anna Goroshnikova, Shutterstock
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