Exploring the English Setter: A Concise Guide

Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Fumipets

On the bigger side of medium-sized dogs, English setters. The English Setter Association of America (ESAA) estimates that female setters weigh between 45 and 55 pounds and are between 23 and 25 inches in height at maturity. The average male dog weighs 65 to 80 pounds and is 25 to 27 inches tall. 

English setters may be classified as either Laverack or Llewellin. According to Gladys Jacobson, breeder of EvrSett English Setters, Llewellin setters are typically smaller and more frequently employed for hunting. Laveracks can still hunt, but they tend to be larger and content to be household dogs. 

They have a truly lovely flare while yet being strong and athletic. The breed-specific Belton pattern on their flecked, speckled coat is distinctive. They have long, flowing hair called feathering that tapers down from their ears, chest, belly, thighs, and legs, giving them a somewhat Dalmatian appearance. 

Puppies of English setters are born white, but after a few weeks, the “Spot Fairy,” as Jacobson calls her, arrives and shows the coat’s hues. The size of the marks may potentially create enormous areas.

These Belton designs come in a variety of colors, including orange, blue (which, when contrasted to the white fur, will seem to be black marks), lemon, and liver. Some English setters may even be tricolored, with tan spots on the face and legs and a blue Belton coat.

 

Temperament

In addition to being attractive, English setters make wonderful family pets. They are so relaxed back that they get along well with youngsters, according to Jacobson. They are excellent therapy dogs because of their tranquil disposition.

They mostly simply want to spend time with their families, and if you keep them out of the kitchen while you prepare supper, they could even get a bit depressed. English setters get along well with cats as well as other dogs. 

English setters acquire basic training—your sits stays and comes—easily thanks to their serious intelligence. The greatest approach to educating them is via positive reinforcement. To ensure early socialization, you’ll also want to enroll them in puppy school while they’re small.

English setters like going on daily walks, going for drives, going on hikes, and riding bikes with you. At the end of the day, they’ll lazily lie down at your feet or on your sofa. 

 

Living Needs

Even though the English setter has a lengthy history as a gundog, according to Jacobson, they may thrive in apartments if you promise them regular walks. But a home with a fenced-in yard is still the best choice, as is the case with the majority of bigger or medium-sized dogs.

Like any dog, your English setter will like some activities, including daily walks, vehicle rides, hikes, and running beside you while you’re on a bike. At the end of the day, they’ll lazily lie down at your feet or on your sofa. 

An English setter can adapt to nearly any family situation and just requires a small amount of activity to burn off all their energy, so don’t worry if you don’t lead the most active lifestyle. Almost independent of the activity, the most crucial thing for your English setter is that he is spending time with you, according to Jacobson. 

You shouldn’t leave your English setters alone for an extended period of time since they cherish your company so much. Because of separation anxiety, your dog may start chewing or barking while you’re gone.

Both hot and cold locations are suitable for this species. They will like playing in the snow, but you should watch that they don’t spend too much time there. If you feel uneasy outdoors, chances are your English setter does too.

In the summer, you should keep him indoors as much as possible and make sure he has enough shade and access to water.

 

Care

I’ll go back to the magnificent coat of the English setter. Dog show competitors’ owners brush their setters every day, but according to Jacobson, weekly brushing is sufficient for the average pet owner.

Use a soft bristle brush or large-toothed metal comb to detangle that long, feathery hair since you don’t want it to get tangled or matted. Regular brushing is essential since your dog may easily bring in leaves, pine needles, and tiny objects from the outdoors thanks to that long hair.

At least once a month, you should take a bath, and you may wish to keep your longer hair cut. English setters don’t shed as much as many other dogs, according to Jacobson, despite the fact that they do need some hair upkeep. She now has five dogs living in the home, and she only promises to vacuum once or twice each week. 

Your English setter’s floppy, delicate ears will also need care. You should wipe those bad guys out once a week since hardly much air passes through them, according to Jacobson. You’ll need to periodically wash his teeth and trim his nails once you’ve cleaned up his ears. 

While all that grooming may seem like a hassle, if you begin while your English setter is still a puppy, everything will be simpler. Over the course of your dog’s life, the procedure will go more quickly and smoothly if he becomes used to it early on.

 

Health

Although they may start to mature as early as 9 years old, English setters normally live between 12 and 15 years. 

According to BJ Parsons, DVM, an English setter breeder, and the ESAA’s AKC delegate, they are mostly healthy dogs but, like other breeds, there are a few ailments they are prone to. Before bringing your new puppy home, be aware of the following health issues.

Hearing issues. Parsons says about 2 percent of tested puppies will suffer from deafness in one or both ears.

Thyroid disease. Specifically autoimmune thyroiditis, in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Parson says she sees a fair amount of the affliction, but sometimes dogs don’t exhibit symptoms.

Allergies

Epilepsy, though Parsons says it’s hard to determine whether it’s hereditary. 

Cancer is a huge issue in older English setters, mostly hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma, Parsons says.

Hip dysplasia 

The ESAA advises checking your new dog for hearing, hip and elbow dysplasia, and any thyroid problems. Make careful to give English setters the nutrients they need to keep healthy since they are prone to unhealthful weight gain. Royal Canin even has a setter-specific dog food. Taking your setter to the vet on a regular basis can help keep her healthy and happy.

Almost regardless of the activity, the most crucial thing for your English setter is that he is spending time with you.

 

History

An “old, but not an ancient” breed, the English setter has its roots in England and may be traced back 400–500 years, according to the ESAA. There is proof that this setter’s ancestors were Spanish pointers, huge water spaniels, and springer spaniels.

They are known as “setters” because that is what they were taught to do when hunting; in the days before hunting with firearms, English setters would lie down to signal the presence of nearby game birds, or “set.” The hunter would next cover the dog and the birds with a large net. 

The setters were taught to point (stand straight and lean front) to signal their humans when hunters started using weapons.  

Edward Laverack and R. LL. Purcell Llewellin both started breeding their own sorts of English setters in the early 1800s; the former was in charge of producing a bigger display dog while the latter was in charge of producing the smaller dog that was more suitable for hunting. 

According to the AKC, English setters came to the United States later in that century and were among the first nine breeds to be recognized there in 1878.

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