English Setters are large dogs that were originally bred for hunting. Because of this, they excel as a gun dog and are commonly used in trials and hunts for game such as Pheasant and Grouse. English setter puppies are very friendly dogs that are popular as a family pet. Although highly active outside, English Setters can be quite docile and lazy when inside who will happily fill the role of a lapdog. For more info on the English Setter’s appearance, temperament and living requirements, continue reading this guide.
The English Setter is a sub-breed of the Setter family. The name ‘Setter’ comes from the dog’s ability to ‘set’ game birds during a hunt. This shows that the Setter was seen as one of the primary hunting dogs in the UK during the development of the sport. We have written evidence of the English Setter from as early as the 1500s, where a Cambridge College founder describes the supreme hunting practices of the dog, and the expert procedure they go through when spotting and hunting a game bird.
They’re thought to be a combination of the Spanish Pointer and the Springer Spaniel, which makes it easy to understand why they hold such force as a gundog. The English Setter was one of the first purebred dogs to register with the American Kennel Club, dating back to 1878.
The population of English Setters in the UK has been on a poignant decline for many years, after seeing over 1300 puppies in the mid-70s, to a scarce 289 in 2015. We’d love to see the population of this extremely talented breed rise once again, so we strongly encourage anyone to give an English Setter a home.
The tallest of males can reach up to 70 centimetres in height, so they definitely hold a presence. The build of an English Setter will very much depend on the activity that each individual is trained for. For example, a hunting Setter will need to be a lot leaner and athletic, so that they’ve got the endurance to continually run after game. However, a Setter that’s used as a show dog won’t require such a specific build, so you may find them to be stockier or with a fuller figure.
English setters are available in a number of different colour variations, all of which are flecked (spots of colour on a light background) light brown, dark brown or black. The coat of an English setter should be fairly long and will require regular grooming in order to keep them looking their best, and allowing them to stay comfortable.
English Setter puppies make fantastic family dogs as they have extremely interesting personalities. English Setter puppies are very loyal to their families and react extremely well to children and other animals. They’ll crave attention and don’t react well to being left alone for long periods of time. When it comes to training an English Setter, you’ll usually find that reward-based training will be most effective, as this is a breed that gets a good understanding of when an owner is best pleased with them.
Although English Setters are very good around children, they’re quite large, energetic dogs that could accidentally cause injury to a small child, so you’ll still need to supervise them when they’re fully grown to make sure no harm is done. All of these things should be considered when looking into buying an English Setter.
Fortunately, English Setters aren’t particularly vulnerable to many common health issues. English Setters can be prone to hip dysplasia in later life as well as a specific form of cancer, but the onset of disease later on in life is a trait common with most breeds. As with purchasing any dog, make sure you use a reputable dog breeder and ensure that the parents of English Setters have been checked for any hereditary conditions.
You can search for English Setter puppies for sale on Dogs and Puppies. Our dog guides will help you when it comes to Buying Puppies For Sale.