| Country of origin: | Great Britain |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Gun dog |
| Size: | 24 to 25 in tall; 50 to 70 lbs |
| Longevity: | 11 to 13 years |
| Exercise: | Daily exercise |
| Training: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Moderate |
| Colors: | Tricolour, black and white, liver and white, lemon and white |
Setters evolved from spaniels, with an ability to work as hunters. This leggy, elegant, and soulful-looking breed was developed by British breeder Edward Laverack. Seldom used for hunting today, the great majority of English Setters are quiet, warmhearted, considerate, and easy-to-train companions. Allergic skin conditions are common, particularly in those with predominantly white coats. An inherited retina condition, which causes blindness, should be checked for before breeding. This breed requires a great deal of exercise, but makes an affable dog for families with children.
Breed name synonyms: Llewellin Setter & Laverack
HISTORY
English Setters originated in England in the 1600’s as superior birding and hunting dogs. It is believed that they are a cross of several types of hunting dogs, including some Pointers and Spaniels such as the Springer Spaniel, the Water Spaniel and the Spanish Pointer. The term Setter relates to the crouching almost-sitting posture, the dog takes when locating its prey.
In the 19th century, two types of English Setters emerged – the Laverack and Llewellin strain – each taking on the name of the man who developed it. The Laverack Setter is a show dog, while the Llewellin Setter is a field dog.
PERSONALITY
English Setters are very affectionate dogs. They love to both, give and receive love and are real family dogs. They are very placid, gentle and friendly and therefore get along well with kids of all ages. English Setters constantly crave human companionship. Sometimes they can be aloof with strangers, but show their friendly side as soon as they are introduced to the new person. They make good watch dogs, but bad guard dogs. English Setters rarely bark.
English Setters are active and energetic sports dogs and enjoy participating in physical activities. If not exercised enough, they channel their energy into bad habits such as destructive chewing and neurotic barking.
TRAITS
English Setters are graceful, elegant, slim and athletic dogs of medium size. Their overall appearance can be described as sophisticated and stylish.
English Setters have long and flat laying coat with no curls, but with featherings on the ears, chest, belly, thighs, back of the legs and tail. The coat’s color is usually white with intermingling darker hairs – a pattern known as belton. The belton can be blue (black and white), orange (orange and white), lemon (lemon and white) and liver (liver and white). Some dogs may be tricolored.
Females weight 60-65 lb (27-29.5 kg) and their height at withers is 24” (61 cm), while males weight 65-80 lb (29.5-36.5 kg) and their height at withers is 25” (63.5 cm).
HANDLING
True to their hunting heritage, English Setters can be independent thinkers, which makes them hard to train. They do not have a natural desire to please and can be quite stubborn and manipulative. English Setters need to be handled with kindness, consistency and by using positive reinforcements that include food rewards and praise. The training sessions should be short and interesting. They are smart and sensitive dogs that mature very slowly, but have long memory.
Just like any other breed, English Setters need to be properly socialized, starting from an early point in their lives. If socialized well, they get along with other dogs.
HEALTH
English Setters are generally healthy but like any other breed are prone to several diseases such as dermatological conditions (seasonal and non-seasonal atopy, canine benign familial chronic pemphigus, allergic dermatitis, Malassezia dermatitis, cutaneous asthenia, symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy), musculoskeletal conditions (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, osteochondritis dissecans), neurological conditions (congenital deafness, lysosomal storage disease – ceroid lipofuscinosis), endocrinal conditions (hypothyroidism), ocular conditions (keratoconjuctivitis sicca, ectropion, eversion of the cartilage of the nictitating membrane, generalised progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, persistent papillary membranes), gastrointestinal conditions (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and neoplastic conditions (mammary gland tumors).
The average lifespan of the English Setter is estimated to be 11-12 years.