English Setter
Other names: Laverack, Llewellin Setter

The English Setter is a pointing dog of medium size that, by all accounts, could be considered the perfect dog. He excels in hunting and proves himself to be a very good companion dog for the whole family. Gentle, attentive, docile and affectionate, with his enthusiasm and social competence, he brings much joy to both little and bigs one alike. Very active, he is best suited to available and fit owners who will be able to meet the dog's many needs for expenditure, which are not to be underestimated.
Key facts about the English Setter
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Origins and history
This dog has very old roots. He is probably a descendant of the ancient Spaniel, also known as the German Spaniel, which was one of the incarnations of the primitive Canis Familiaris Intermedius. The Breed had been established in 1860 by Edward Laverack and would have to wait another twenty years before spreading outside of England. It is one of the most commonly used pointing dogs for hunting.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 7 - Pointing Dogs
Section
Section 2 : British and Irish Pointers and Setters
Physical characteristics of the English Setter
Adult size
Female : Between 24 and 26 in
Male : Between 26 and 27 in
Weight
Female : Between 44 and 55 lb
Male : Between 44 and 55 lb
Coat colour
The coat can be a variety of colours :
- Blue belton (black and white)
- Lemon belton (lemon and white)
- Liver belton (brown and white)
- Tricolour (white, black, tan or brown, white and tan)
- Orange belton (Orange and white)
The term 'belton' was first coined by Edward Laverack- the breeder who contributed to the construction of the race- and designates the flyspeck (or speckled patching) of the dog's coat. Belton is a village in Northumberland (a county in the north of England).
Type of coat
The hair is long.
The hair is slightly wavy without ever forming into full curls. It is long all over, (2 to 2,5 inches) and silky. Feathering (fringes) can be found around the neck, in the brisket region, on the side of the hind limbs, on the buttocks and on the tail. The undercoat is only abundant in the wintertime.
Eye colour
The eyes are hazel, as dark as possible (slightly less dark in white and tan individuals).
Description
The English setter is the most beautiful of all pointing dogs. It is mesomorphic, with a rather rectangular-shape torso. The head is long, well-defined, light. The length of the skull is equal to that of the muzzle. The skullcap is slightly domed. The stop is pronounced but not abrupt. The eyes are big and expressive.The ears are set low, hanging, adjacent to the cheeks. The back is straight, the kidneys muscular and quite arched. The limbs are perfectly straight. The tail is set high: big and robust at its base, it thins down towards the tip. It is worn rather low, slightly curved outwards like a reversed saber.
Good to know
As the English Setter is a particularly handsome breed and also highly sought after as a companion dog, certain unscrupulous breeders have contented themselves with selecting lineages for their aesthetic qualities, with little regard for their personalities or hunting predispositions. Actually, in England, the breeding of show dog Setters and hunting Setters has become distinctly separated, as if it were concerned with two different breeds, which is a reprehensible mistake.
Temperament
Behaviour of the English Setter
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English Setter to adopt

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Compatibility
Price
The price of an English Setter varies depending on its origins, age, and gender. You have to count an average of £915 for dogs subscribed to the Kennel Club.
With regards to the monthly budget required for a dog of this size, including both quality nutrition and basic yearly care (vaccines, deworming, etc.), it is estimated at around £45.
Grooming
The maintenance of this dog may seem complicated on account of his long hair and feathering, but is, in reality, quite straightforward. Weekly brushes/detangling will be necessary.
Every now and again, the fringes can be trimmed a bit to avoid parasites and fungi from developing within the coat.
Grooming will occasionally be necessary, especially after this water-loving dog takes a dip. You will have to be sure to thoroughly dry him after every swim.
Special attention should be given to the ears, which are vulnerable to various infections, not least because of them being folded over.
Shedding
Hair loss is significant during moulting seasons. During autumn and spring, the brushes will have to be more frequent and carried out on a daily basis in order to remove dead hair.
Nutrition of the English Setter
The English setter is not difficult to feed. He of course greatly appreciates homemade food (meat, carbohydrates and vegetables) but can be equally satisfied by quality kibbles bought in specialised shops.
Being such an active dog, daily rations will have to be adapted to his activities, the shape he's in, his age and his health. It is recommended to have veterinary supervision throughout the pup's growth.
Two meals a day are advised, one in the morning (lighter) and one in the evening (more substantial). Beware of gastric torsion given how active this particular dog is! At least an hour prior to and after the meal, he will have to be at rest. By the same token, self-service is not an option.
Health of the English Setter
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is estimated at 12 years.
Strong / robust
As is the case of many respectable active dogs, the english setter is of robust constitution but remains more fragile than a dog that has only minimal expenditure needs.
Withstand heat
He can tolerate heat but be careful not to have him be too physically active in hot weather, as his fierce determination might lead to him not being able to restrict himself. Fresh water and a spot in the shade must be made available to him.
Withstand cold
This pointing dog is lucky to have an undercoat which develops during winter when temperatures drop. Having said that, do note that extreme weather conditions are not greatly appreciated by this european pointing dog.
Tendency to put on weight
If coupled with a quality nutritional regimen, the constant activity of this dog make this him relatively resistant to excess weight. If he gets his share of required exercise, he is not afflicted by obesity.
Common illnesses
- Cancer
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Congenital deafness
- Ear infections
- Atopic dermatitis (dermatological affliction)