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English Setter Dog Breed Introduction
English Setter is a medium-sized setter gundog breed from England. It is popular for its belton coat which features flecks of color varieties. English Setters are people-oriented and energetic dogs suitable for families that give them activity and attention. These dogs need at least 2 hours of exercise in a day. Although, English setters tend to have low energy levels while in the house.
English Setter Hunting | Origin | History
The progenitors of English setters were trained bird dogs in England more than 400 to 500 years ago. There is evidence that suggests the English Setters were created by crossing Large Water Spaniel, Spanish Pointer, and English Springer Spaniel. These dogs combined to produce an excellent bird dog with a high degree or skill in finding and pointing game in open country. English Setters were developed to lay down quietly or set when they located game birds such as grouse, pheasant, and quail.
The dog would carry its head high while seeking the airborne scent of the birds. Once the dog indicated where the bird are by laying down quietly, the hunter will give it a command to slowly creep forward to disturb the birds into flight. Once the quarry was in flight, the hunter would release the hawks to capture the birds in the air. The invention of using nets superseded the use of hawks. Eventually, the guns were available for shooting the birds in the mid-1600s. During the 19th century, setters diverged into different breeds based on the location and the terrain in which they hunted.
The modern English Setter is credited to Edward Laverack of England who bought his two first dogs Ponto and Old Moll in 1825 from Rev. A. Harrison. The two dogs became the foundation of the breed. Laverack concentrated on developing dogs that were successful in dog shows but did not always perform well in field trials. To correct this deficiency, Richard Purcell Llewellin crossed Laverack Strain with other breeds to produce dogs that performed better in the field. Therefore, Laverack dogs are the foundation stock for show dogs while the Llewellin strain is the foundation for the field dogs. Show dogs are generally larger and have a more profuse coat than their colleagues in the field.
English Setter Lifespan
According to AKC, English Setters have a lifespan of 12 years. However, it is not uncommon for this breed to live up to the age of 13 to 15 years.
English Setter Grooming
An English Setter has a long and silky double coat that has featherings on the chest, ears, tail, back of all legs, abdomen, and underside of thighs. The coat sheds all-year round at moderate levels. It requires regular brushing at least 2 or 3 times a week using a soft bristle brush and a long-toothed metal dog comb to work on mats and tangles. Before brushing the coat, spritz it using a detangling spray or a water conditioner solution. Show dogs have a more profuse coat than their field colleagues and require regular brushing.
Frequent brushings helps to remove the loose hair, dirt, and prevent matting. English setters need a bath every 4 to 6 weeks unless they roll in something stinky. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner suitable for canines. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the shampoo from the coat using lukewarm water to prevent skin irritation. Wipe the face using a clean damp washcloth or unscented wipes instead of using soapy water that will irritate the eyes.
Trim the hair on the feet, face, and rear end to neaten the appearance of an English Setter. Trim the nails once a month using clippers or a grinder. Overly grown nails are painful for your dog while walking or running. Brush the teeth of your pooch at least twice a week if not daily using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush. Regular teeth brushing helps to remove excess tartar buildup that cause a bad breathe. Clean the ears weekly using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to get rid of excess wax or debris. While cleaning the ears, look out for signs of dog’s ear infection signs such as redness, odor, and a dark discharge.
English Setter Haircut
An English Setter will need a trim on the base and end of the tail, face, feet, neck, rear legs, and ears for a neaten appearance.
English Setter Shedding
English Setters shed throughout the year at moderate levels. Brush the coat on a weekly basis to remove the loose hair.
English Setter Hypoallergenic
An English Setter is not a hypoallergenic breed. It sheds all-year round at moderate levels. Moulting allows dander and hair to spread around the house. English Setters are also moderate droolers. Dog’s hair, saliva, mucus, hair, and urine contain a protein allergen that aggravates allergies.
English Setter Training
An English Setter is a good-natured, devoted, sensible, and intelligent companion that can be trained to perform just about any task another breed can do except for herding. However, they are not always so easy to train due to their natural bird instinct that tends to distract them in outdoor environments. Reportedly, English Setters have been described as strong-willed and mischievous especially if they originate from the working breeding lines. Set up an English Setter for a successful training by creating a pecking order which will help in assuming pack leadership. Dogs thrive where a hierarchy has been established. The leadership is created by having the dog wait for things like food and joining you in your personal space when invited.
English Setters are gentle dogs that are sensitive to harsh training methods such such yelling, beating, punching, shoving, kicking, and use of prong or choke collars. Use of positive reinforcement methods such as use of toys, treats, petting, playing, and verbal praise work best when undertaking basic training. To raise a well-mannered and well-adjusted English Setter, start socialization training immediately the dog comes home from the age of 8 weeks. However, this trainings starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the puppy has settled in its new home.
Although, a dog can be socialized for the rest of its life to ensure it has a well-rounded temperament and personality as it matures. To socialize English Setters, expose them to different people, smell, sights, animals, surfaces, situations, experiences, and various sounds such as baby crying sounds, lawn mowers, washing machine, vacuum cleaners, and sirens. Enrolling an English Setter pup in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. These classes enable the pet to interact with other canines in a controlled environment. Puppy Classes also empowers an English Setter parent to not only identify and correct bad habits but also have access to training information and assistance.
Keep the training sessions fun, short, and challenging for a span of 5 to 10 minutes distributed throughout the day. The training session span may increase as the dog matures. Start teaching basic command words like sit, come, stay, down, leave it, and heel, etc. immediately the pup comes home. Teach one basic command word at a time until the dog understands before proceeding to the next command word. Pet owners are cautioned against issuing a command while too excited or frustrated since the command words don’t sound the same for your dog. Effectively housebreak an English Setter by creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training.
A Crate is an indispensable tool that allows the owner to monitor the pup for signs that it wants to eliminate such as whining, circling, squatting, restlessness, trying to lift a leg against the crate door, and sniffing. To get positive outcomes when potty training, take an English Setter to the designated elimination area immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, after a nap, following an exciting activity such as playtime and car ride, and before bedtime. The potty break span will increase to a period of every 6 to 8 hours after the age of 8 months. This is because the bladder and bowel muscles of a dog strengthens as the puppy matures.
English Setter Temperament | Personality
- Sweet-tempered.
- Devoted.
- Sensible.
- Sensitive.
- Friendly.
- Affectionate.
- Gentle.
- People-oriented.
- Energetic.
- Intelligent.
- Lively.
- Kind.
- Willful.
English Setter Energy Level
An English Setter has high energy levels. It needs regular exercise to stay healthy and happy ideally a play session in a large secured yard or a daily vigorous run. However, many owners may not have access to a large fenced area. Jogging, going for long walks, and riding a bicycle with the English Setter alongside on a leash will do. English Setters puppies should not be vigorously exercised before the age of 2 years until the growth plates close. This breed will settle right down when they return to the house after a daily walk or run even though they are energetic athletes when outdoors.
English Setter Barking
English Setters will bark to alert the owner when visitors and intruders are approaching the house. However, once introduced to the person, they happily accept their presence.
English Setter Height
A female English Setter has a height of 23 to 25 inches ( approx. 58 to 64 cm) while its male counterpart has a height of 25 to 27 inches ( approx. 64 to 69 cm ).
English Setter Weight
Male English Setters have a weight of 65 to 80 pounds ( approx. 29 to 36 kg ) while their female counterparts have a weight of 45 to 55 pounds ( approx. 20 to 25 kg ).
English Setter Size
An English Setter is a medium-sized dog. However, male English Setters are slightly bigger as compared to their female counterparts in terms of height and weight. Female English Setters have a height of 23 to 25 inches ( approx. 58 to 64 cm) and a weight of 45 to 55 pounds ( approx. 20 to 25 kg ) while their male counterparts have a height of 25 to 27 inches ( approx. 64 to 69 cm ) and a weight of 65 to 80 pounds ( approx. 29 to 36 kg ).
English Setter Health Issues
English Setters are robust and healthy dogs that have a lifespan of 12 years with some living up to the age of 15 years. However, they are affected by various health issues including congenital deafness, autoimmune thyroiditis, allergies, canine hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, cancer, and bloat or gastric torsion.
English Setter Names
An English Setter parent may decide to find a name for the pet before it leaves the shelter or a few days after the pup joins them home to understand better the personality of the dog in question. Pet parents may get name inspirations from the heritage of the breed, coat colors, personality, celebrity English Setters, music, movie, food, historical figures, and nature. Regardless of where the parents gets the inspiration, he or she should ensure the name freely rolls off their tongue and won’t make them embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places.
English Setters and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with the command words to prevent confusion. If a pet parent settle with a long tedious name for the English Setters, they should ensure they find a cute nickname. If an English Setter shares a name with any family member or guests who frequent your household, it may result to unnecessary confusion. Some of the names that English Setters parents give to their pets include:
- Brandy.
- Venus.
- Missy.
- Coco.
- Harvey.
- Pepper.
- Dudley.
- Oakley.
- Rusty.
- Pluto.
- Gus.
- Lilo.
- Daisy.
- Flora, etc.
English Setter Food
The amount of food that an English setter feeds on depends on its age, metabolism, size, build, and activity level. English Setter puppies tend to have a high metabolism as compared to the adults and seniors. Therefore, English Setters should feed 3 0r 4 times a day from when they start weaning until the age of 12 months. From the age of 12 months, English Setters should feed two meals in a day. Avoid leaving the food bowl out all day since this breed can easily overeat and become overweight. Pet parents should monitor the diet of the dog to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.
English Setters love counter surfing. Avoid leaving tempting food items within reach. The nose of this breed can lead him to food anywhere even into the dishwasher. Depending on the budget and time of the preparation needed by the owner, English Setters may either feed on commercial dry or wet food, raw diet, or home-made meals.
Parents that choose commercial food should ensure the first three listed ingredients are proteins from a known source. Commercial dog food should neither have chemicals, meat by products, fillers, preservatives, nor generic meat products. Parents who want to switch to another dog food should do these over a span of 4 weeks while mixing the new and old food. The new food should increase as the old food decreases until the dog is eventually feeding on the new food.
Apart from English Setters, other dog breeds include:
English Setter Allergies
An English Setter is predisposed to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – This breed is susceptible to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.
Contact allergies – This allergy cause inflammation to English Setters once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect English Setters include plastics, bed lines, grooming products, latex, medication, carpet cleaning detergents, and lawn chemicals.
Food allergies – Rarely, an English Setter is affected by a true food allergy that results to an immune response. This allergy is accompanied with skin issues such as hives, sores, crusting lesions, dermatitis, and pruritus as well as gastrointestinal stress such as acute vomiting and diarrhea, and weight loss. Apart from food allergies, this breed is also affected by food sensitivities.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergies that affect English Setters include fleas, mites, ragweed, tree, pollen, grass, dust and dust mites, and house molds. Signs of environmental allergies include nasal discharge, sneezing, congestion, and itchiness on various body parts including paws, feet, underarms, groin, muzzle, between the toes, around the eyes, belly sides, ears, and face. Flea’s saliva cause flea allergy dermatitis. This insect normally bite the back legs and underneath the tail leading to excessive scratching until the skin around the bite area is raw.
English Setter Colors
English Setters have a white coat with differing colored flecks. The various flecked coat colors are referred to as beltons in this breed. Therefore, English Setters may have a blue belton( white with black flecks), orange belton( with with orange speckling, lemon belton ( white with orange flecks and lighter nose), liver belton( white with liver speckling), or tricolor( which is liver or blue belton with tan markings on the legs, chest, and face).
English Setter Tricolor
An English Setter is described to have a tricolor coat if it has a blue or liver belton coat with tan markings on the chest, legs, and face. Liver belton is a white coat with liver flecks while a blue belton is a white coat with black speckling.
English Setter Red
An English Setter may have a blue belton, tricolor, lemon belton, liver belton, or orange belton color. However, it will never have a solid red coat color like the Irish Setters.
English Setter Eyes
These dogs have dark brown eyes that are nearly round and fairly large. However, the eyes of English Setters are neither protruding or deep set.
English Setter Tail
An English Setter has a long feathering tail that reaches the hock.
English Setter Short Hair
English Setters are bred as either show dogs or working dogs. The former is slightly larger in size with a profuse coat. Field dogs are slightly smaller in size with a short hair coat.
English Setter Vs Irish Setter
Both English Setters and Irish setters are gundog setter breeds. However, the former is from England while the latter is from Ireland. Irish Setters have a solid red coat while the English Setters have a white coat with differing colored flecks. Both Setter breeds live up to the age of at least 12 years.
Are English Setters Hypoallergenic
No. English Setters shed all-year round at moderate levels. A Shedding coat releases dander and hair into the environment. Dog’s dander, hair, mucus, urine, and saliva contain a protein allergen that aggravates allergies.
Are English Setters Good Hunting Dogs
Yes. Most English Setters are born with a liking to hunting. These dogs hunt over large distances in a methodical and systematic manner silently seeking game birds by scent.
Do English Setters Shed
Yes. English Setters shed at moderate levels throughout the year.
Do English Setters Bark A Lot
No. However, English Settlers will bark at visitors and strangers to alert the owner.
English Setters Quick Facts
- English Setters are part of the Setters dogs along with Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, and Irish Red and White Setters.
- These are highly energetic dogs that need 2 hours of exercise everyday.
- Stanley Coren ranked English Setters 37th in The Intelligence of Dogs.
