Known for its luscious, feathered coat and fun-loving attitude, the English Setter is an energetic canine that’s won the hearts of many people. This charming breed is known for its jovial, lighthearted nature, making it ideal for both single-person and multi-person households. Let’s learn more about these dogs! 

1. These Dogs Originated in England

The English Setter, as the name suggests, is a British dog breed. The ancestral English Setter dogs were recorded as far back as around 400 years ago. Like other setter breeds, the English Setter was meant to be bred for hunting game, specifically birds such as grouse and pheasants. It is believed that this breed was developed by crossing various spaniel breeds, such as the English Springer Spaniel and the now-extinct Old Spanish Pointer. By the 1600s, “setting dogges” had been recorded and well-established throughout Britain, and they were named for their behaviors of “setting” (which we’ll expand on shortly). 

Around the 19th century, the modern form of the English Setter was created by an Englishman named Edward Laverack. Laverack himself was a hunting enthusiast who bred his own lines of setters. Other people would also influence this breed by outcrossing their dogs with Laverack’s lines, and some dogs were even imported into the United States, where more outcrossing would occur. 

Discrepancies and controversies existed within some of Laverack’s records and claims. Still, his pedigree lines would become the foundation stock of the English Setters we see today. Two separate lines would be formed: the work lines, which are used for hunting dogs out in the field, and the show lines, which focus on adhering to the conformation of the dog’s breed standard.

2. This Breed Is Known for “Setting” 

The English Setter isn’t called a “setter” just because it sounds nice; it is named for its particular behavior of “setting.” There are three main types of gun dogs: retrievers, water dogs, and pointers. The setter group of breeds are considered pointers. Even though setters, such as the English Setter, are considered a subgroup of pointers, they differ from other pointer breeds anatomically in terms of structure.

Setters are named for the style they “point” to potential prey. The dogs would track the birds down by airborne scent, and when encountered, the setter would then crouch down, motionless.

Their crouching stance is where their name is derived from, as some would say the dog is “set.” After the birds would have been located, the dog would flush out the birds to allow the hunter to take their shots. Before guns were used, hunters would use nets to capture located birds.

While setting has been bred within these breeds, trainers search for puppies that show traits of being “birdy,” or innately inclined to hunt for birds. The “birdy” puppies are more sought after by trainers as they’d make better hunting dogs than those without as much of a drive.

3. These Dogs Are Distinct from Other Setters 

The English Setter’s coat coloration is very distinctive from its relatives. The Irish Setter is known for its deep chestnut red coloration, while the aptly named Irish Red and White Setter is both red and white. The Gordon Setter meanwhile sports the black-and-tan coloration often observed in other dog breeds as well (from Rottweilers to Dobermans). The English Setter’s base coat coloration is white, but it is also adorned in “ticking,” or speckles, of a small variety of other colors.

The color types in the English Setter are known as “belton,” which derives from a word coined by Edward Laverack who was mentioned earlier. The word itself is probably named after an English town going by the same name. Anyhow, belton in the English Setter’s breed standard comes in the following forms: 

• Blue belton (black flecks)
• Orange belton (orange flecks)
• Lemon belton (orange flecks, light-colored nose)
• Liver belton (brown flecks)
• Tricolor (blue or liver belton with tan markings throughout other parts of its body)

The breed standard also states that the ticking should be small flecks throughout its body. Puppies may also either keep or lose these flecks as they grow into adulthood.

4. English Setters Are the Smallest Setter Dog 

Amongst the four currently recognized setter breeds, the English Setter is the smallest of the group (meanwhile, the black-and-tan Gordon Setter is the largest and heaviest setter). Along with its smaller stature than its cousins, this dog can also be distinguished by its coloration (as mentioned earlier). Like other setter breeds, the show lines of the English Setter are typically both larger and heavier than those in the field lines, bred for working purposes. Dogs descending from these lines are smaller and sleeker, being more adapted to working out in the field.

Though considered the smallest of its group, the English Setter is still a medium-sized breed, reaching around 24-27 inches in height at the shoulder. As with other dogs, males are on average larger than females, weighing on average around 65-80 pounds. Females, obviously due to their smaller size, are also lighter than males, usually only weighing around 45-55 pounds.

5. This Breed Is Generally Healthy 

The English Setter is generally a healthy breed, having issues that are often seen in other dogs, such as hip/elbow dysplasia (when joints don’t properly grow, causing discomfort), and bloat, which occurs when a dog’s stomach suddenly twists and fills with gas. 

The English Setter is prone to hypothyroidism, which is a disorder that can cause hormonal imbalances in your dog. Such symptoms include lethargy, weight gain, and skin problems. Congenital deafness is also common in the English Setter, which is inherited from birth. There are some genetic links to white pigmentation in dogs that are also linked with congenital deafness, and the English Setter happens to be a mostly-white breed itself. 

Reputable breeders will ensure that their dogs are genetically screened to mitigate any health issues in their puppies. It is also important to get your dog checked up annually by your veterinarian to ensure that any issues are caught before they get worse. 

6. The English Setter Requires Regular Grooming Sessions 

Having a rather feathery coat, the English Setter has a coat that needs to be somewhat maintained. Brushing your dog’s coat weekly with a soft slicker brush is crucial to preventing matting and keeping it nice and healthy. The featherings on your dog’s legs, throat, and ears should also be trimmed when needed. A groomer can do this for you if needed.

The English Setter is a dog that sports a double coat. Whatever you do, NEVER shave a double-coated dog, such as an English Setter. Shaving a double-coated breed exposes your dog to temperature extremes; your dog will not cool off if the coat is shaved. Having a double coat helps your English Setter thermoregulate properly and also provides protection from the elements. Shaving a double coat will also damage your dog’s fur as it will grow back irregularly.

As with all other dog breeds, your English Setter’s nails need to be trimmed every few weeks. Your dog will also need its teeth brushed about two to three times a week, though every day is best. Dental chews are a great supplement but aren’t substitutes for actual tooth brushing. Your dog also needs to have its ears cleaned frequently as well to prevent ear infections. 

7. These Dogs Need Lots of Exercise

As with other hunting breeds, the English Setter is full of energy and requires lots of exercise. It is recommended that this breed gets around two hours of exercise every day. This must not be ignored, as a bored dog with pent-up energy is a destructive one. 

While walking your dog is a great way to get your canine to burn off energy, a large, spacious area such as a secure yard to run around is highly recommended. Allowing your dog to stretch its legs and run around is a great way to allow them to release some steam. It is noted by some that English Setters descending from work lines have even higher energy than those produced from show lines.

Your English Setter would probably enjoy a wide variety of breed-specific sports. These can range from field trials (which are fitting for a hunting dog like this breed) to agility trials. Even something as simple as playing fetch can be highly relished by your English Setter. If you’re a hiker or a runner, the English Setter may be a perfect partner to bring along.

Be sure to give your English Setter breaks when needed, and don’t go overboard with vigorous exercise for puppies as their bones and joints are still developing!

8. This Breed Is Easygoing but Active 

The English Setter is a charming and loyal breed that can make a great loving family companion; however, while novice dog owners can successfully raise an English Setter, this dog’s energy levels may be a bit much for some people to handle. This breed is usually easy to train, as it loves to please its loved ones, but some individuals can get a little hard-headed. This intelligent dog breed needs to be engaged both mentally and physically.

English Setters need a lot of attention and aren’t recommended for those who have busy lifestyles that require being away for long periods. The English Setter may be able to live in an apartment setting, but its physical and mental demands still have to be met. It is important to only obtain your dog from a reputable breeder or a rescue group.

While the English Setter may pose some challenges for a first-time owner, this canine is a loving breed that enjoys company; provided that its needs are cared for, this dog can be a great companion for years to come.