For years, English Setters have been popular choices for families as they have mellow and friendly demeanors, but only if they’ve gotten their exercise in for the day. With the right training, English Setters are known to be gentle with children, cats, and really any other pet or person that they interact with. Gaining a reputation for having charming personalities, an elegant appearance, and an affectionate nature, there’s no question why this dog breed is so popular. Read below to learn more about the history, temperament, appearance, health concerns, and much more about the outstanding English Setter.

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English Setter History

The oldest known English Setter dates back to the 1300s in England. Before guns were commonly used to hunt, this alert breed were trained to indicate nearby birds by lying down on the ground in a position described as ‘setting’, hence their name. Around 1825, a man named Edward Lavarack spent 35-years running a program where he bred countless English Setters and formed the basis of the breed that we know today. Later in the 1800’s, Setters arrived to the United States, as well as other parts of the world, and were recognized as one of America’s first nine registered canine breeds. While this breed is still a popular choice amongst hunters to this day, they have also solidified their spot as a common companion dog.

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Temperament

With a reputation of being extremely affectionate and friendly, this energetic dog breed does require a healthy dose of exercise every day. While having various toys around the house may mentally stimulate English Setters, their personalities can turn destructive if they aren’t given an adequate walk at least once a day. As they are bred to be hunting dogs, English Setters have strong keen instincts and are eager to please. If you’re looking for a passive lazy dog that loafs around the house, this is definitely not the dog for you, however, their active personalities are completely manageable with proper training and plenty of outside time. A healthy active English Setter is extremely friendly towards all people and pets, easy to train, intelligent, playful, and just overall a delight to have around the house.

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Appearance

English Setters have an elegant and muscular physique which helps them run at high speeds. They have beautiful white speckled coats which can consist of a variety of colors such as orange, blue, tan, yellow, and much more. This breed is known to moderately shed, so brushing their coats once-per-week is necessary to prevent tangles and mats. The fur around their ears, in particular, are known to frequently knot so it’s important to pay extra grooming attention to this issue.

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Health Concerns

With an average lifespan of 12-to-15 years, English Setters are known to be generally healthy dogs with a few issues they’re especially susceptible to. Unique to this breed, about 2% of Setters suffer from deafness, which is a higher probability than a majority of dogs. English Setters also commonly suffer from epilepsy and thyroid disease, which is why it’s important to visit their vet for annual checkups. Additionally, hip dysplasia and various cancers can commonly pop up as this breed ages.

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Interesting Facts of English Setters

• This breed is believed to be a cross-result of the Spanish Pointer, the Water Spaniel, and the Spring Spaniel.
• The word ‘Belton’ is a specific word that uniquely describes the flecks of color on the English Setter coat.
• They are one of the oldest known canine hunting breeds.
• Clark Gable, the famous lead actor from Gone With the Wind, had an English Setter.

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Caring for English Setters

The correct amount and type of food you should feed an English Setter depends primarily on their age, weight, and activity level. Originally formulated to help performance dogs reach their maximum potential, Canine Ultimate Fitness & Health is a delicious, concentrated nutritional powder, providing a balanced blend of 55-nutrients your Setter needs for better health, increased activity, maximized performance, the prevention of age-related diseases, and ultimately a longer, healthier, and more enjoyable life.