Types of Setter Dogs

Setters are types of dogs that hunters often use to hunt birds that live mostly on the ground, such as quail, which is why they’re also called bird dogs. The dogs don’t catch the birds themselves, but their sense of smell leads them to the quarry. Once they detect it, they go into a crouch and freeze. The crouch is also called a “set,” and this is where the setter gets its name. Setters are large in size and intelligent. They have lustrous, silky coats with lots of feathering, lively and playful personalities, and bright, expressive eyes. Even when they’re not out in the field, they make wonderful family pets but need lots of room to exercise and must have plenty of exercise. So far, there are four recognized breeds of setters. Here are some facts about them:

1. Gordon Setter

Named for the Scottish nobleman Alexander Gordon, this black and tan bird dog has been around since the 1600s. Descended from collies and bloodhounds and developed on Duke Gordon’s estate, this beautiful dog is the only setter whose origins are in Scotland. Gordon setters stand 24.5 to 26 inches high at the shoulder and weigh between 56 and 65 pounds. They have a silky and glossy coat, with well-feathered legs and tail. Gordon setters have a long muzzle and dark brown eyes. Their tan markings are found on both sides of their muzzle, their “eyebrows”, and on their throat, chest, legs, and vent. The tan can actually be mahogany or deep chestnut.

Like all types of setter dogs, the sweet-natured Gordon setter needs lots of exercise and is too big and lively for an apartment. As it likes to roam around, it needs a space that’s fenced in to keep it from roaming too widely.

Despite the luxuriousness of its coat, the Gordon setter only needs regular grooming and for the owner to make sure to smooth out tangles and remove burrs if the dog spends lots of time in the weeds. A typical litter is made up of six to eight puppies. Curiously, Gordon setter puppies seem to take a longer time to mature than other setter puppies and can be a bit clumsy before they reach adulthood. The dog lives between 10 and 12 years.

2. English Setter

The English setter was developed in Great Britain in the 1800s. English setters have a deep chest, a lean, medium-length body, and small but compact feet. When they stand up, their feathered tail forms a straight line with their back. The English setter stands between 24 and 27.5 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 56 and 66 pounds.

Like the Gordon setter, the English setter is not a good choice for owners living in an apartment as it needs lots of exercise. Their coat is easy to take care of if it is combed and brushed regularly, but may become tangled if not. Their coat can be white with brown, lemon, orange, and blue mottles. Some dogs have coats of more than one color, and the mottling can be light or heavy. The English setter is good at retrieving and pointing, and is also a fairly good watchdog. Females typically give birth to approximately six puppies, and they usually live for between 10 and 12 years.

3. Irish Setter

Also called the red setter, the Irish setter is famous for its rich mahogany or chestnut red coat. It has a long, square-shaped muzzle and a distinct stop, which is the place between the eyes where the skull meets the nasal bone. Though their coat is lush over most of the body, it is short on the head and the front of the legs. The forelegs are straight and strong with small feet and arched toes, and the chest is deep but narrow. The well-feathered tail is low-set on the body. Some puppies have a bit of gray behind their legs and ears, but this goes away as they mature. Adults are allowed to have a spot of white on their chest.

Irish setters originated in Ireland in the 1700s and are possibly descended from the Gordon setter as well as the Irish water spaniel. They are about the same size as other setters and stand 25 to 27 inches high at the shoulder, while weighing between 60 and 70 pounds. They are hardy, active dogs that will hunt in all sorts of weather. However, they also have a kind nature and are good with children.

Unfortunately, the Irish setter is prone to bloat. To avoid this, it is best to feed the Irish setter a few small meals throughout the day, instead of one large meal.

One of the happier facts about the Irish setter is that it tends to live longer than other setters, with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They also have large litters, and females can deliver eight to twelve puppies at a time.

4. Irish Red and White Setter

The Irish red and white setter descends from the same ancestor as the Irish setter. Indeed, it was once considered to be an Irish setter. However, by the Victorian era, the red setter became popular to the point that the Irish red and white setter almost went extinct. Because of this, Irish red and white setters can trace their pedigree only as far back as the 1920s.

The Irish red and white setter is known for its power and athleticism and is a more heavyset dog than the Irish setter. Its back, neck, and hindquarters are well-muscled, and it has a strong jaw, deep chest, and well-sprung ribs. It has feathering on its tail, the backs of its front legs, and even between its toes. The coat has a fine texture and is allowed to be wavy but not curly. Irish red and white setters are white with red patches. However, some flecking is allowed around the face, the feet, and the lower parts of the legs. They stand between 23 and 27 inches high at the shoulder and weigh 60 to 70 pounds.

Despite its robust build, the red and white setter is affectionate and wonderful with children. However, as it is such a lively dog, it needs both mental and physical stimulation to be happy and, as is the case with other setters, is not an apartment dog. Like the Irish setter, they have a fairly long lifespan and live between 11 and 15 years. Females typically give birth to six to 12 puppies per litter.