English Setter

Breed: English Setter | Size: Medium | Average lifespan: 10+ years | Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, and obedient | Coat: Long | Origin: United Kingdom.

The English Setter has an endearing personality and spirited nature. Thanks to this, they are loved by many families and hunting enthusiasts. The English Setter is a hunting dog that has adapted to domestic life over time. However, these dogs still have certain needs.

The English Setter’s origins

There are many theories regarding the origin of English Setters. With that being said, the most widely accepted theory is that these dogs descended from Spanish pointing dogs.

Disputed origins

However, controversies arose in the past. Many people claimed that the ancestor of the English Setter was not originally bred in England, as its name suggests. According to them, the breed was first brought to France—where the early stock was bred—before being transported to England. Consequently, the dogs already possessed typically French characteristics by the time they arrived in the United Kingdom. Ultimately, this implies that the English Setter is not truly English, but rather of French origin.

The English Setter from Sir Edward Laverack’s kennel

It is generally acknowledged that the modern English Setter breed originated from the breeding program of Sir Edward Laverack. He did not create a new breed but rather refined one that already existed; specifically, he acquired purebred dogs from the Reverend Harrison—a male and a female—which enabled him to refine the breed over the years starting in 1825. He implemented a rigorous selective breeding program that proved highly successful.

Shortly before his death, he published a work entirely dedicated to the breed that remains a reference to this day. During the fifty or so years Sir Edward Laverack spent managing his breeding program, he achieved promising results but also faced some setbacks—notably the sterility of certain dogs due to inbreeding. He enlisted the help of Purcell Llewellin, who found a way to overcome this obstacle by introducing new English bloodlines, ultimately developing the Setter we know today. After Purcell Llewellin, William Humphrey also devoted himself to the Setter; however, he paid little attention to the animal’s coat, focusing his breeding efforts exclusively on performance.

Physical characteristics of the English Setter

The English Setter possesses very specific characteristics, notably involving several breeds.

The different breeds

There are approximately six breeds of setter:

• The Gordon Setter (“black and tan” and “black, white, and tan”),
• the Count of Southesk breed (black, white, and tan),
• Lord Lovat, of Beaufort Castle (black, white, and tan),
• Mr. Lort’s breed (Liver and White) (black and white),
• the Earl of Seafield’s breed (black, white, and tan, and lemon or orange and white),
• the Llanidloes breed (Wales) (black and white).

Head

The modern English Setter weighs between 25 and 30 kg (≈ 55.1 and 66.1 lb), with a long head. The length of its skull equals that of its muzzle, which is square-shaped. The breed’s eyes are large, oval, bright, and expressive; they are hazel in color, ranging from lighter to darker shades. As for its ears, they are pendulous and lie close to the cheeks.

Body

This dog is a true hunting dog. It has a straight back, muscular and arched loins, and a deep, broad chest. The coat is fine—slightly wavy or even straight—and, above all, very silky. The hair measures between 5 and 6 cm and forms feathering that covers the neck, the backs of the thighs, the hind legs, and the tail. The tail itself is well-furnished at the base and tapers gradually toward the tip.

General

The English Setter’s coat is speckled and the color varies depending on the breed. Male English Setters stands between 56 and 62 cm tall, while the female measures between 53 and 60 cm; the breed therefore falls into the medium-sized dog category.

The English Setter’s character

The qualities of the English Setter

Looking at its origins, it is quite easy to get an idea of ​​the English Setter’s characteristics. To begin with, it is one of the most widely distributed pointing dog breeds in the world. It has retained its liveliness, keen sense of smell, and hunting instinct typical of the breed, yet it is also a peaceful, affectionate, obedient, and intelligent dog.

The English Setter is very friendly, gentle, and cheerful, showing great affection toward its family and other dogs. It has an excellent temperament, allowing it to coexist well with other animals as well as with its owner—whether that person is a hunter, a whole family, an elderly person, or someone living alone. The English Setter particularly enjoys playing and needs to burn off energy.

Are there any downsides to having an English Setter?

It is best to avoid games that involve throwing objects with this type of dog, as this could reawaken their hunting instincts and lead them to wander off. While the English Setter generally appears very calm, this breed is actually highly athletic and active. In some cases, particularly for those living in an apartment, this breed may cause damage if they do not have a sufficient outlet for his energy. However, the breed is intelligent and quickly grasps what their owners expect of them. Consequently, they know how to behave properly, depending on the training they receive. The English Setter is not aggressive, even around strangers, provided they sense no danger. While this breed handles being alone very well, they crave affection and attention.

Coat, color, and care

Coat

The English Setter’s coat is soft and straight, although it is wavy on the ears, chest, legs, and tail. The coat is relatively long and does not curl.

Color

The English Setter’s coat comes in five colors: orange and white, black and white, lemon and white, brown and white, and tricolor.

Care

The English Setter requires special grooming. For example, they must be brushed carefully, and their coat needs to be detangled at least twice a week. During shedding seasons (autumn and spring), grooming sessions should be increased. The feathering of their coat can also be trimmed regularly to prevent it from becoming a haven for parasites, and a full grooming session should be carried out occasionally. It should be noted that the English Setter loves water. Because of this, special attention must be paid to the ears, as their drooping shape often harbors viruses and bacteria.

As the English Setter is a very energetic breed, it is important to take them out regularly, especially if you live in an apartment. Make sure that they engage in physical activities and get enough exercise. Their diet should must match their activity level. They need balanced meals in sufficient quantities to replenish the calories that they burn.

Regarding this breed’s health, ensuring routine veterinary care from an early age should be sufficient to keep it in good shape. English Setters are very robust; however, similar to many other dogs, they can suffer from hip dysplasia. Regular check-ups should allow for early detection and management of the condition. The breed is also prone to ear infections, but overall, English Setters generally have good health.