Today's Irish Setter is an active, aristocratic bird dog, rich red in color, substantial yet elegant in build. The earliest ancestors of the Irish Setter were not solid red, rather, they were red and white. This beautiful red coat requires weekly attention to avoid mats. The color is mahogany or rich chestnut red with no black, with a small amount of white on the chest, throat or toes acceptable.

The coat is short and fine on the Irish Setter's head and forelegs, and on all other parts of the body it is moderate length and flat. There is long silky feathering on ears, back of forelegs and thighs and a pleasing fringe of hair on belly and brisket extending onto the chest. The fringe on the tail should be moderately long and tapering. All coat and feathering should be as straight and free as possible from curl or wave.

Standing over two feet tall at the shoulder, the Irish Setter is a swift-moving hunter; at home, a sweet natured, trainable companion. The Irish Setter is not an early developer and frequently requires more training than some other breeds.

The Irish Setter's head is long and lean, its length at least double the width between the ears. His eyes somewhat almond shaped, expression soft, yet alert. The brow is raised, showing a distinct stop midway between the tip of the nose and the well-defined occiput (rear point of skull).

The Irish Setter Standard describes the gait as, "At the trot the gait is big, very lively, graceful and efficient. At an extended trot the head reaches slightly forward, keeping the dog in balance. The forelegs reach well ahead as if to pull in the ground without giving the appearance of a hackney gait. The hindquarters drive smoothly and with great power."

The Irish Setter has a rollicking personality, an outgoing, stable temperament is the essence of the Irish Setter.