English Setter

The English Setter was given its name because they were bred to “set” or quietly lie down when looking for birds to hunt. Their human hunting companion would cast a large net to cover the birds in their area and try to catch them. With the development of firearms and advancements in hunting, the setter breeds began to be further developed to stand in the style Pointer dogs are known for.

English Setters have a gorgeous, long, and silky coat. Their coat may be a variety of colors including blue belton, liver belton, lemon belton, blue belton, and tan, or tricolor. They will need weekly brushing to keep shedding down and prevent their long hair from getting matted or tangled. The average lifespan of an English Setter is between 11 and 15 years.

English Setters continue to make good hunting companions, but they can also make a wonderful addition to a family. They are very loving, affectionate, and playful. This breed is also quite active and will need a home where they will receive sufficient exercise.

Owning an English Setter: 3 Pros and Cons

Size and Weight

English Setters are a medium to large dog breed. Males typically weigh between 65 and 80 pounds and are between 25 and 27 inches tall. Females are a bit smaller, generally weighing 45 to 55 pounds and standing between 23 and 25 inches tall. While puppies typically only weigh between 16 and 25 pounds at three months of age, by the time they are six months old, their weight will increase to between 29 and 46 pounds. Both males and females are full-grown by the time they are 16 to 18 months.

Origins

The English Setter in its present incarnation belongs to the relentless efforts of two 19th-century breeders. The first of them was Edward Laverack, who created his very own variety of the breed through a careful selection process. The second was Richard Purcell Llewellin, who bred the best canines from Laverack’s kennels with bloodlines from his own. 

However, before then, the ancestors of these dogs aided their masters in hunting birds over four centuries ago in England. Their duties involved sniffing out their quarry and remaining still, informing the hunter of the presence of birds in the vicinity, before advancing stealthily at a given signal and startling the birds into flight.

Through the evolution of bird hunting, they remained a constant companion regardless of whether hawks, nets, or guns were used.

Their names come from the distinct still crouch they adopt in the presence of prey.

Common Health Issues

All-in-all, the English Setter is a healthy breed. Still, there are a few common health concerns to be aware of before adopting this breed.

Hip dysplasia is one of these concerns. This is a genetic condition where the dog’s hip joint isn’t formed correctly. This causes the bones to rub against one another, which can make it very uncomfortable to walk and may require surgery. Always work with responsible breeders who are upfront and transparent about the puppy’s parents.

English Setters may also develop elbow dysplasia. Like hip dysplasia, this is another inheritable condition, making it that much more important to look for reputable breeders. With elbow dysplasia, the bones that make up the dog’s elbow are believed to grow at different rates. This can interfere with the joint functioning properly and can cause lameness or arthritis. Monitoring and controlling a dog’s weight can help lessen some of the problems elbow dysplasia may cause.

A third potential concern for English Setters is hypothyroidism. This is a condition where the thyroid levels are too low. It can lead to a variety of problems, including infertility, lethargy, obesity, mental problems, and irregular heat cycles. Dogs with this condition will require daily thyroid medication, which can keep them healthy.

Temperament and Behavior

English Setters have a very friendly and affectionate personality. They are very gentle and kind with those they meet. They are also very tolerant of young children. These traits mean that this breed can make a wonderful family dog.

They were bred for hunting and enjoy being very active each day. English Setters can be quite playful due to their energy, but they’ll also need sufficient exercise each day. If their exercise needs are not met, they may become overly active inside and begin exhibiting undesirable behaviors.

How to Take Care of an English Setter

When taking care of an English Setter, it is important to consider the breed’s temperament, nutritional needs, training and exercise needs, and other characteristics. This will help ensure you provide your dog with the care they need to be happy and healthy.

The Best Dog Food for English Setters

Most adult English Setters should eat between 2 and 3 cups of food each day. Always choose a high-quality dog food that will help your English Setter get the nutrients it needs. The exact amount of food your dog will require can vary based on its age, weight, activity level, and other factors. If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, consult with their veterinarian for guidance.

English Setter puppies should be fed high-quality puppy food. Additionally, it is important to understand that since the puppies have a smaller stomach, they will need to be fed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Most puppies should be fed between three and four meals until they are around one year old. Again, your dog’s veterinarian is a good resource if you are unsure how much or how frequently they should eat.

Since this breed’s foremost health problem is joint dysplasia, look for dog food containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Maintenance and Grooming

English Setters have a gorgeous long coat that may be a variety of colors including blue belton, lemon belton, liver belton, blue belton, and tan, or tricolor. Due to the length of their coat, it is important to brush this breed at least once a week using a soft-bristle brush. You may also need a long-toothed metal comb to help remove tangles. If the English Setter’s coat isn’t properly groomed, it can become matted, making it uncomfortable for the dog or even leading to potential skin problems. Regular brushing will also help keep shedding to a minimum.

In addition to regular brushing, an English Setter will also need the hair around their face and feet to be trimmed to keep it from getting too long. Their teeth should also be brushed regularly, their ears should be kept clean, and their nails should be trimmed to keep them from getting too long and causing the dog discomfort when it walks.

Training

Overall, English Setters aren’t too difficult to train, but they are not among the easiest breeds either. They are known to be strong-willed at times and will need a firm leader to set clear boundaries. However, this breed does not respond well to harsher training techniques, so rather use more positive training methods.

In addition to training your dog from an early age, be sure to socialize it as well. Bring your English Setter with you to different environments and allow it to be around different people. This will help ensure that they are clear on expectations and how to interact.

Exercise

English Setters were bred for hunting and have a high energy level. This breed requires regular exercise every day. Take your dog on daily walks, or even runs, and give them plenty of time to run around and play in a fenced-in yard or dog park.

Puppies

Before bringing home an English Setter puppy, make sure you have a puppy-proof space in your home. Remove anything that could be a potential hazard to the dog or personal items that you wouldn’t want to see destroyed by a young puppy. Additionally, make sure you purchase a crate, dog bed, food, and all the other supplies your new puppy will need before bringing him or her home so you’re fully prepared when they arrive.

While English Setters have a high exercise need, it is important to be careful not to overexercise puppies or have them engage in high-impact activities. Until they are around two years old, their bones and joints haven’t reached mature strength and could easily be injured.

English Setters and Children

English Setters do very well with children. They are friendly, calm, and tolerant of children. This breed also enjoys playing and could make a great playmate for a young child.

However, as with any other dog breed, it is important to always supervise children when they are around an English Setter. This can help prevent either the child or the dog from getting accidentally injured.

Dogs similar to the English Setter

Irish Setters, English Pointers, and Brittany Dogs are three breeds that are similar to the English Setter.

• Irish Setter: Irish Setters and English Setters are both hunting dogs. Both breeds are similarly sized, with males weighing an average of about 70 pounds. While Irish Setters are typically mahogany or red in color, English Setters can be a variety of colors, including blue, belton, lemon, tan, liver, or tricolor.
• English Pointer: English Pointers and English Setters are both very affectionate and friendly dogs that do very well with children and other dogs. Both breeds also have a very high energy level and require a good amount of exercise. English Pointers are easier to groom and are known for shedding less than English Setters.
• Brittany Dog: Brittany Dogs are another hunting dog. However, while English Setters were originally bred in England, Brittany Dogs were originally bred in France. Both breeds do well with children and other pets, but the English Setter is more tolerant of strangers. Brittany Dogs are smaller than English Setters. The average weight of a male Brittany dog is 37.5 pounds compared to the 67.5-pound average weight of a male English Setter.

Famous English Setters

Over the years, many famous individuals have chosen to own an English Setter as a pet. These include:

• Clark Gable
• Annie Oakley
• Brigitte Bardot
• Glenn Gould