English Setter: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The English setter is a medium-sized dog, though on the larger side, and originally developed in the United Kingdom for their crouching, pointing, and retrieving skills when accompanying hunters. Also called “the moderate setter,” this dog is known for their well-feathered underbelly, tail, legs, chest, and ears, as well as their speckled coat pattern called belton.

English setters, like all setter breeds, are popular companion dogs known for their affectionate, gentle, intelligent, and adaptable temperament.  

Learn more about the English setter’s characteristics, history, and care needs.

Characteristics of the English Setter

Providing they get enough exercise, the English setter can make a wonderful addition to a household. They're a popular choice for families, as they have a friendly and mellow demeanor. These dogs usually love to spend time with their fellow housemates, both two- and four-legged. They're gentle with respectful children and usually enjoy the company of other dogs. With the right introductions, they can also live peaceably with cats.

History of the English Setter

The English setter is widely regarded as being one of the oldest of the gun dog breeds. There are artworks featuring dogs closely resembling the modern-day English setter from as far back as the 15th century.

They were initially called setting spaniels and they would range out in front of the hunter on open ground and would then freeze and crouch down (set), or point, when they found their quarry. Hunters originally used nets to trap the birds, but the gun then replaced these during the 18th century. The dogs also became popular with the nobility that owned large estates.

While their exact ancestry isn't known, it's thought that English setters may have resulted from the crossing of pointing and spaniel breeds. They're known for being more gentle and slightly smaller than the Irish setter or Gordon setter.

In the 19th century, Edward Laverack began breeding English setters in earnest, and they were often crossed with dogs belonging to R. Purcell Llewellin. The dogs were even sometimes referred to as Laverack or Llewellin setters to reflect their lineage, and they provided the foundations of the breed we know today. There was a focus on an athletic physique, prominent feathering, a glossy coat, and unique markings. The Laverack line became known as the show-type, and the Llewellin line was developed for their field qualities.

In the 1870s, the first English setter was imported to the United States, and the AKC recognized them in 1884.

In the 1930s one English setter gained fame in the States. There's now a sculpture of Jim the Wonder Dog in a park in Missouri. It was alleged that he could predict the future and understand several languages. Skeptics, quite fairly, claimed he was just an intelligent dog that had been taught certain commands and was primed by his owner.

English setters continue to be a popular choice amongst the hunting community, but they're now often desirable as companion dogs given their gentle personality.

English Setter Care

Because setters thrive in company, this breed is best suited to living in a household where they will have company for most of the day. You should still work on helping them to feel relaxed if they're left on their own for short periods to help prevent separation anxiety from developing. They need an average amount of grooming, with a little more attention on their feathered features.

Exercise

Make sure your English setter gets an appropriate amount of daily exercise. Usually an hour a day, divided into two periods of 30 minutes each, will suffice. Although they're energetic and can make great hiking companions, they don't require as much exercise as some of the other gun dog breeds, but when they do exercise, make it a vigorous session preferably off-leash in a secure and fenced area.

Their keen intelligence and athleticism mean they can also make great dog sports competitors, and they often excel in the likes of agility and, with their fantastic nose, scent work trials. As they get older, they might become less active, so it’s important to maintain a routine of physical activity that your dog will enjoy, even if the types of activity change over time to suit your dog’s preferences and energy level.

Grooming

English setters have a beautiful white speckled coat that is known as belton. Their colors include blue belton, orange belton, lemon belton, liver belton, and blue belton and tan (tri-color).

These dogs are moderate shedders that benefit from a good weekly brush out to keep their coat in good condition and to prevent any tangles, mats, or knots from developing in their abundant feathering, which is found on the legs, abdomen, chest, ears, and tail. You may wish to trim some areas of your English setter's feathered areas or around the ears.

As is the case with all dogs, it’s important to brush your dog’s teeth at least a few times a week, if not daily, to help prevent teeth and gum problems. Also, regularly trim your dog’s nails and check your dog’s ears for signs of infection, dirt, and debris.

Training

English setters are eager to please and respond very well to reward-based training methods. Their gentle temperament means they can be particularly sensitive to harsh treatment, so it's never a good idea to withdraw attention or yell loudly at this breed or they can become distressed.

Some English setters can have a high prey drive, given their hunting background. This may mean they have to remain on the leash in areas where there's too much temptation to "hunt," or you'll have to work extra hard to achieve a rock-solid recall.

While they're soft-hearted, English setters do like to alert you to strangers, and you should work on rewarding quiet behavior to prevent alert barking from getting out of control.

Common Health Problems

English setters are generally regarded as healthy, but, as with any breed, they're known for a few genetic health conditions. These include:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia: These health issues occur when the joints form abnormally, and can cause mobility issues and pain. These are two of the most common genetic health conditions across all breeds, and can range in severity. In severe cases, surgery may be required to improve your dog's quality of life.
• Hypothyroidism: If your dog suffers from an underactive thyroid, their metabolism slows down, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, lethargy, and problems with the skin and coat. It can't be cured, but with the right treatment, it can be managed successfully.
• Allergies: Environmental and food allergies are more common in English setters than in some breeds. Often, a careful process of elimination will be required to try to establish the underlying cause. Changes in diet and medication can also be helpful, and it's important to consult with your vet to work out the best course of action if a problem is severe or persistent.
• Congenital deafness: Although not common, some English setters can be born deaf in one or both ears. Deaf dogs can live full and enriching lives with a few simple adjustments to make things easier and safer for them around the home and when out on walks.

Diet and Nutrition

As with any dog, you should feed your English setter high-quality and properly portion-controlled food. An adult English setter might eat a total of 2 to 3 cups of food daily, divided into at least two meals.

As already mentioned, the breed can be more prone to developing allergies. If these are food-related, you may need to feed them a specific diet to ensure it doesn't trigger a reaction.

Where to Adopt or Buy an English Setter

If you buy an English setter pup from a breeder, expect to pay around $1,000, regardless of pedigree.

If you're buying a puppy, to ensure that they're healthy, happy, and well-socialized, you should always seek out a reputable breeder. By not doing this, you could be inadvertently supporting the unethical and often cruel puppy farming trade.

You want your pup to be raised in a home environment with their mother and other members of their litter. The breeder should have done health checks on the parents, and they shouldn't release the pups to their new homes until they're at least 8 weeks old.

If you are prepared to give a dog from this loving breed the constant attention they require, a good place to start your search for an English setter would be through the English Setter Association of America.

However, don't rule out adopting an English setter. You would be giving a home to a dog in need, and it can be incredibly rewarding watching your rescue dog come out of their shell. There are several setter-specific rescue organizations across the country, including Our English Setter Rescue, or you could make inquiries at your local shelters.

English Setter Overview

The English setter is a loving and social dog that can make a great family pet. They can become anxious when left alone for too long, so they do best in homes where they’ll be given plenty of attention every day. And you’ll need to groom this dog often to keep their feathered coat smooth and healthy.  

Pros of English Setters

• Gentle and affectionate
• Energetic, but calm if given appropriate exercise
• Intelligent and eager to please
  

Cons of English Setters

• Can sometimes alert bark
• May have a high prey drive
• Can be prone to separation anxiety
  

21 Best Hunting Dogs for Tracking Any Kind of Prey

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you want to research other breeds with similar traits to the English setter, you could also look into the following breeds:

• Pointer
• Field spaniel
• Irish water spaniel

Before making a final decision, don't forget, there are hundreds of other wonderful dog breeds, and crosses too, that may slot in well to your home and lifestyle. By doing your research, you'll find one that'll be best suited to having a forever home with you.