English setter

English setter Breed description: Character & Co

English setter

Life expectancy
10 - 12
Character
Affectionate Assertive Energetic Intelligent Companionable Meek Mischievous Playful
Size
Large
Dogs/Active

What is the origin of English Setter?

The ancestors of the English Setter are believed by cynologists to be bird dogs, which already existed in the Middle Ages. They were used centuries ago for hunting feathered game. The pointer also played its part in the creation of the breed. Sir Edward Laverack goes down in the history books as one of the pioneers in English Setter breeding. He selected the most powerful representatives of the breed over decades and presented the dogs for the first time in 1860 under the name valid today. Already in 1873 the recognition by the British Kennel Club took place.

Banner: Shutterstock / Happy monkey
Dog,Mammal,Vertebrate,Canidae,Dog breed,Carnivore,Cocker spaniel,Spaniel,Sporting Group,Spinone italiano, Brown English Setter with brown spots, big hunting dogs, big hunting dog, special colouring in dog, red dog black dotted English Setter looking at camera and laughing, dog in grass, dog with black dots, dog similar to Golden Retriever, hunting dog, beautiful dog, cute dog breed Hunting dog, British dog breed with black spots, Setter dog, Irish Setter looks similar, English Setter black white
Alternate Name English Setter
Origin UK
Life expectancy 10 - 12 years
Care requirements high-maintenance
Activity level average
FCI group British and Irish Pointers and Setters
AKC group Sporting Group
KC group Gundog Group
News/Active

What are typical character traits of English Setter?

The English Setter is a passionate hunter who needs clear rules. If you let the reins slip during training, your four-legged friend may want to assert his stubbornness. It is especially important to train the retrieveability from the beginning. The English Setter temperament also characterizes his urge to move. The breed is best suited for you if you enjoy sports and spending time in nature. Since the breed is the most social of all hunting dogs, they have gained a following among families in recent years. They love to romp around the yard with children and are always up for a game. They also get along well with other dogs of their own species. At home he is a pleasant contemporary, provided you offer him daily exercise. Tracking games and mantrailing keep the animal's clever mind busy.

Character

  • affectionate
  • assertive
  • energetic
  • intelligent
  • companionable
  • meek
  • mischievous
  • playful

Usage

  • Hunting Dog
English Setter with light points, french and british dog breed, big dog with points, light setter English Setter character and breed description, great dog breed from UK Intelligence toy for dog, dog buy on ball, orange ball you can fill with treats for dogs, English Setter with black and white fur, big dog breed English Setter puppy black white
UK

What are typical diseases of English Setters?

Like many other dog breeds with hanging ears, the English Setter also suffers from ear problems: Especially after spending time in water, yeast fungi that love moist environments multiply. Eventually an inflammation occurs, which the animal indicates by shaking its head and scratching. To prevent this from happening, it is better to clean your pet's ears regularly. The best way to do this is to use special products from the vet and a soft cloth.

In addition the following breed-typical illnesses are to be noticed:

  • congenital deafness
  • hip dysplasia
  • thyroid disease
  • elbow dyplasia
  • Allergies against food
  • CLAD: genetically determined immune deficiency
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (retinal detachment)
  • Cancer (mainly from the age of 10 years)

English Setter breeding - where, how, what?

If you want to buy an English Setter, it is best to contact a responsible breeder. Information about litters can be found at the Austrian Setter Club. Animals approved for breeding by the club are subject to strict conditions: Among other things, x-ray examinations are carried out to exclude hereditary hip dysplasia as well as further genetic tests. Before you decide on an English Setter puppy, ask to see the pedigree and make sure you have a pedigree certificate. Reputable breeders also emphasize early socialization. This will come in handy later when you attend puppy school with your new roommate. A breeding puppy of the English Setter costs about 1000Euro.

Hintergrund
English Setter temperament and breed description, spotted dog once crossed with an English Pointer and a Setter, French and British dog breed, large dog breed similar to Golden Retriever and English Pointer, hunting dog

Sporty-elegant is the appearance of the English Setter. The strong dog is characterized by its balanced proportions. He looks attentively at you from his hazel-colored large eyes. The low set, medium length floppy ears are also a trademark. The dense feathering on the hind legs almost makes it look like the dog is wearing pants. The coat is also long on the forelegs. The breed is a pointing dog like in the book: As soon as he discovers something exciting, he stops as if frozen and gives the front paw.

Appearance and coat of the English Setter

The body of your four-legged friend is covered with medium-long, silky hair. Some English Setters are motley: The base color is always white, but markings in various shapes such as spots or patches are allowed. Here are the most common color variations:

  • tricolor - three-colored
  • blue-belton - black and white
  • liver-belton - white with liver colours
  • orange-belton - white with orange

The term Belton originates from the founder of the breed Edward Laverack: he gave the name of his hometown to the markings. It is interesting to know that the typical pattern of the breed develops only two weeks after birth. It takes one and a half to two years until the final pattern is visible. Regular brushing of your pet pays off: especially in the long coat on the legs, burrs and small twigs often get caught when walking in nature.

How tall is the English Setter?

  • Bitches: 61 to 65 centimetres
  • Males: 65 to 68 centimeters

How much does an English Setter weigh?

English Setters weigh 25 to 30 kilograms.

How old does an English Setter become?

On average, English Setters live from 11 to 13 years.

Fur length long
Fur flat coated
Ear shape Floppy Ear
Tail fanned out
Anatomy strong
Size ♀ 61 - 65 cm
Weight ♀ 20 - 32 kg
Size ♂ 65 - 68 cm
Weight ♂ 30 - 40 kg
Suitable For -

Colors

red redSpotted Spottedblack and white black and whitebrown-white brown-white
English Setter character and breed description, great dog breed from UK
Intelligence toy for dog, dog buy on ball, orange ball you can fill with treats for dogs, English Setter with black and white fur, big dog breed
English Setter puppy black white
  • Hip dysplasia (HD)

    The hip dysplasia or hip joint dysplasia of the dog (HD) is a maldevelopment of the hip joint.

  • Allergies

    Can occur in a number of breeds, regardless of genetic makeup.

  • Elbow dysplasia (ED)

    Elbow joint dysplasia is a chronic disease complex of the elbow joint of fast growing dog breeds.

  • Cancer

    May be common in older dogs.

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

    Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a slowly progressive death of the retina in dogs.

  • Hypothyroidism

    Most often, dogs get sick in middle age. Causes of hypothyroidism. Several causes of hypothyroidism are known.

  • Numbness

    Often occurs in old age.

Other large dogs

Useful Articles

Subscribe to our newsletter
to stay up to date on dog trends.
We won’t spam your inbox! We won’t sell or rent your email address.
To find out more, view our Privacy Policy
dogbible - a platform for people who love dogs
<svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="facebook" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="pinterest" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 496 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M496 256c0 137-111 248-248 248-25.6 0-50.2-3.9-73.4-11.1 10.1-16.5 25.2-43.5 30.8-65 3-11.6 15.4-59 15.4-59 8.1 15.4 31.7 28.5 56.8 28.5 74.8 0 128.7-68.8 128.7-154.3 0-81.9-66.9-143.2-152.9-143.2-107 0-163.9 71.8-163.9 150.1 0 36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C65.4 450.9 0 361.1 0 256 0 119 111 8 248 8s248 111 248 248z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg>
BREEDS

Find here the breed that suits you and find out what character traits it has. Here you can also learn more about the origin, size and weight of your favorite breeds.

Petit Brabançon

Miniature Dachshund

Spanish Mastiff

Chien de St. Hubert

Smooth Foxy Russell