History

English setter flaunts a rich legacy as the first setter dog that originated way back in 1500 in France when it was born to a Spanish pointer and the French pointer. It was only after 300 odd years that it was brought to Great Britain by an enthusiastic breeder, Sir Edward Laverack where he developed English Setters from French hunting dogs; hence this breed is also known as Laverack Setter. They were predominantly used as hunting dogs and the dog sits as soon as it spots the game and hence the name “setter” was given to this breed.

Appearance

English Setters are gorgeous dogs with a trim body and an exceptional speckled coat. It has a wavy, long haired coat with a silky texture that comes in many attractive shades like white with blue, lemon, orange, or brown speckling. The head is long and the muzzle is very prominent. The hazel colored eyes are expressive and attractive and the long ears have a satin tip. The tail is straight with a distinct tapering at the base and is luxuriantly coated.

Color

White with overlay markings in the following colors: Orange, Blue, Liver, Lemon, Tricolor (Blue/Tan/White).

Personality

The English Setter is quick and strong with a powerful sense of smell. It has a gentle temperament making it an excellent family dog. They are good at tracking and retrieving and make excellent watchdogs. It is a docile and friendly dog that prefers outdoors. They need daily exercise to remain healthy and are not apartment dogs. The English Setter has a piercing bark and can get quite vocal at times. They are excellent jumpers and expert diggers.

Health Concerns

Obesity due to overfeeding is common among setters. They are also more susceptible to hip dysplasia and bitches are likely to have false pregnancies.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR