English Setter

The English Setter is an active, rugged dog, but also sweet and mild-mannered. He is happy being a true member of the family and likes to go on family outings. He makes a devoted companion.

English Setter breed facts

English Setters were trained bird dogs in England more than 400 years ago.

The first show for English Setters was held at Newcastle-On-Tyne on January 28, 1859.

Information you should know before owning an English Setter

The English Setter requires considerable exercise therefore, it is better suited to ownership in the suburbs.

The English Setter will be comfortable in the show ring, at home or in the bird field.

All English Setters need some grooming and discipline.

From the best authorities on the subject, it appears that the English Setter was a trained bird dog in England more than 400 years ago. Evidence points to the English Setters origins in crosses of Spanish Pointer, large Water Spaniel, and Springer Spaniel, which combined to produce a superb bird dog with a high degree of proficiency in finding and pointing game in open country. Major credit for the development of the modern setter should go to Edward Laverack, who about 1825 obtained from the Rev. A. Harrison, "Ponto" and "Old Moll," two specimens of the breed the Reverend had kept pure for over 35 years.

Over time, Laverack inbred successfully to produce beautiful representatives of the breed, and the first show for English Setter was held at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1859. As shows flourished throughout England, so did the breed’s popularity. A few years later, the first English Setters were imported to North America, including those that began the now-famous Llewellin strain recorded in the writing of Dr. William A Burette. From this strain emerged the foundation of the field-trial setter in America, "Count Noble," who is currently mounted in the Carnegie Museum at Pittsburgh. To this day, the English is one of the most popular and elegant sporting breeds, often grouped with its cousins, the Irish and Gordon Setters.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Large
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	Over 2 hours a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Large garden

	General Appearance Of medium height, clean in outline, elegant in appearance and movement.
	Characteristics Very active with a keen game sense.
	Temperament Intensely friendly and good natured.
	Eyes Bright, mild and expressive. Colour ranging between hazel and dark brown, the darker the better. In liver beltons only, a lighter eye acceptable. Eyes oval and not protruding.
	Mouth Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full dentition desirable.
	Neck Rather long, muscular and lean, slightly arched at crest, and clean-cut where it joins head, towards shoulder larger and very muscular, never throaty nor pendulous below throat, but elegant in appearance.
	Forequarters Shoulders well set back or oblique, chest deep in brisket, very good depth and width between shoulder blades, forearms straight and very muscular with rounded bone, elbows well let down close to body, pasterns short, strong, round and straight.
	Body Moderate length, back short and level with good round widely sprung ribs and deep in back ribs, i.e. well ribbed up.
	Hindquarters Loins wide, slightly arched, strong and muscular, legs well muscled including second thigh, stifles well bent and thighs long from hip to hock, hock inclining neither in nor out and well let down.
	Feet Well padded, tight, with close well arched toes protected by hair between them.
	Tail Set almost in line with back, medium length, not reaching below hock, neither curly nor ropy, slightly curved or scimitar-shaped but with no tendency to turn upwards: flag or feathers hanging in long pendant flakes. Feather commencing slightly below the root, and increasing in length towards middle, then gradually tapering towards end, hair long, bright, soft and silky, wavy but not curly. Lively and slashing in movement and carried in a plane not higher than level of back.
	Gait / Movement Of medium height, clean in outline, elegant in appearance and movement.
	Coat From back of head in line with ears slightly wavy, not curly, long and silky as is coat generally, breeches and forelegs nearly down to feet well feathered.
	Colour Black and white (blue belton), orange and white (orange belton), lemon and white (lemon belton), liver and white (liver belton) or tricolour, that is blue belton and tan or liver belton and tan, those without heavy patches of colour on body but flecked (belton) all over preferred.
	Size Height: dogs: 65-69 cms (251/2-27 ins); bitches: 61-65 cms (24-251/2 ins).