English Setter

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The English Setter of the showring is a long way from the working dog in the field; he is a very glamorous dog with a coat that requires expert care if it is to  resemble those of the top show dogs.  The working dog, which is quite an unusual sight now is smaller and racier than his showring cousin  In the United States there are three distinct sub-divisions of the English Setter - the Ryman, Laverack and Llewellin - the Laverack being the show type.  The English Setter was developed as a bird dog some four hundred years ago and known as the Setting Spaniel.  His job was to find upland birds and "sett" them, and the hunters would throw a net over bird and dog.

The English Setter developed into the breed we recognise today during the mid 1800s, principally through the efforts of Edward Laverack, and was shown at the first dog show, Newcastle, in 1859.

He is a medium to large dog, at up to 68cm but not heavily built.  He has an elegant outline and a very striking coat; the colouring is known as "belton", meaning flecking of colour onto a white background, which with the growth of the long silky coat blends into the white.  Thus the colours are Blue Belton (black on white), Orange Belton, Lemon Belton, Liver Belton or Tricolour Belton, which is tan with either liver or black.

He has a lovely temperament, very friendly and good-natured and so makes a first class family dog but as you would expect from a dog of this size plenty of exercise is a must or he will become bored and make his own entertainment.

To read the Kennel Club Breed Standard for the English Setter click here.

Selected Books

The time to make sure that this is the right breed for you is before you bring him home; if you and your Setter are to be happy together there is plenty of research to be done.  Even if you do not intend to work him, having an appreciation of Gundog Training will help you understand why he behaves as he does. 

In addition to learning what kind of behaviour is specific to Gundogs, understanding your dog, and what his motivations are on a more general level can save a lot of confusion and misunderstandings for both you and him. Many mistakes can be avoided, and quick solutions reached if you have the basics of puppy training to guide you through all the early settling in difficulties.  It helps, too, to have some idea of basic healthcare so you can make informed judgements about whether a visit to the vet is necessary or if there is a simple remedy.  For example, many cases of upset tummies are best cured by 24 hour starvation.  The books we have chosen will be able to guide you as to whether your dog can be treated at home, or a visit to the surgery is necessary.

English Setter Breed Clubs

English Setter Rescue

Contact a Breed Club. They should be able to give you information about Setters requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own dog, please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for him.

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