I have IS and IRWS, a friend of mine has ES - the reds are just as cuddly, but more crazy, the IRWS are also very cuddly, but even more full of energy. Most of the ES I know are show dogs and trained not to get into a mess...... does that answer it?

Hi, I am new here, but yes, we own both, an English and an Irish. They are both 6yrs. old. We first got our Irish Tess, then a few weeks later, bought her an English friend home. From their first meeting, they have been best friends. I don't really find much difference at all but our English Setter Megg is probably more laid back than 'Irish Tess', but Tess is a very quiet Irish Setter so it's hard for us to say. Both are equally cuddly, but my Irish is definately more sooky than my English. Megg (English) is quite independent but I can't do anything or go anywhere without Tess. A very interesting question but I think I would probably say that there is very little difference, at least in our case.

Lynn.

I have owned both breeds and haven't found any difference in their temperaments, both loving cuddles and company..the only difference I have found, with the exception of my first Irish, is that the Irish are much more obedient.  The English are absolute darlings but appear quite dim at times.  However, I think they are quite bright really, they just play at being dim as it helps them get away with a lot more than their red cousins.  My Irish could go off lead and come back with 100% recall every time...the English, in my experience was more like 5%, but maybe I only had naughty ones :-)