English Setter Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The English Setter is an elegant, gentle sporting dog known as the ‘gentleman of the dog world,’ combining a sweet, mild-mannered domestic temperament with intense athletic stamina in the field. They are ideal for active families who can commit to daily aerobic exercise and regular coat maintenance, thriving best in homes where they are treated as central members of the family.
Quick Facts
- origin countryEngland
- breed groupSporting Group
- sizeLarge
- weight range45 to 80 pounds
- height range23 to 27 inches at the shoulder
- lifespan11 to 15 years
- coat typeFlat, medium-length with long, silky feathering on ears, chest, belly, legs, and tail
- common colorsBlue belton, orange belton, lemon belton, liver belton, and tricolor (blue belton & tan, or liver belton & tan)
- other namesLlewellin Setter, Laverack Setter
- recognized byAKC, UKC, FCI, KC
Caring for a English Setter
Living with an English Setter means balancing their dual nature: they are intensely active, bird-driven athletes outdoors, but quiet, couch-loving companions indoors. In my practice, I find they thrive on routine, requiring at least an hour of daily running or vigorous play to prevent backyard digging or fence-running. Their stunning coats require diligent care, and their floppy ears mean weekly cleaning is non-negotiable to prevent chronic yeast infections. Because of their strong attachment to humans, they should not be left alone in a yard all day; they want to be right where you are.
Is an English Setter a good family pet?
Absolutely, they are exceptionally gentle, patient, and affectionate, making them legendary family companions. In my years treating them, I have found they possess a unique sensitivity and tolerance that makes them superb around children, provided the kids are taught to respect the dog’s space.
Do English Setters shed a lot?
Yes, they are moderate to heavy shedders, especially during seasonal transitions in spring and fall. To keep up with the loose hair and prevent painful mats in their long feathering, you will need to brush them at least three to four times a week.
Is an English Setter good for first-time owners?
They can be, but their high energy levels and sensitive temperament present a steep learning curve. I always tell first-time owners that they must commit fully to positive-reinforcement training and daily vigorous exercise, as a bored or poorly exercised setter can become destructive.
Temperament & Personality
The English Setter is celebrated for its sweet, mellow, and deeply affectionate nature inside the home. They are social butterflies who generally love everyone they meet, from family members to strangers and other dogs. However, they possess a strong prey drive and an innate urge to hunt, point, and track scents when outdoors. This can make them easily distracted during walks, requiring a firm but gentle handler who understands their soft, sensitive personality.
Is an English Setter good with other pets?
Generally, yes, they are highly social dogs that usually get along famously with other canines. However, because they are sporting dogs with an inherent prey drive, they should be introduced to small pocket pets, rabbits, and cats with caution and consistent supervision.
How much attention does an English Setter need?
A great deal; they are highly people-oriented and can develop separation anxiety if left isolated for long periods. I frequently treat setters for anxiety-related behaviors that stem from being left alone for 8 to 10 hours a day without human interaction.
Training & Behavior
Training an English Setter requires patience, consistency, and a very soft touch. Because they are highly sensitive, harsh corrections or raised voices will cause them to shut down and refuse to cooperate. They are eager to please but can be easily distracted by smells and moving objects, meaning early recall training is absolutely vital before letting them off-leash in unsecured areas.
Training Tips
- Use positive reinforcement, high-value treats, and abundant praise.
- Keep training sessions short, fun, and varied to prevent boredom.
- Prioritize early recall (come command) from puppyhood.
- Socialize extensively to different sounds, sights, and people to prevent shyness.
- Never use harsh physical discipline; they remember negative experiences vividly.
Fun Activities
- Field trials and pointing breed hunt tests
- Agility and flyball
- Scent work and tracking
- Canicross or hiking on long lines
- Therapy dog work due to their gentle nature
Is an English Setter easy to train?
They are highly intelligent and capable of learning complex tasks, but they possess an independent streak and a strong hunting instinct that can look like stubbornness. If you use positive, rewards-based training methods rather than repetitive drills, you will find them highly cooperative partners.
English Setter Health Issues
As a veterinarian, I consider the English Setter a relatively robust and healthy breed, but they are genetically predisposed to several inherited orthopedic, endocrine, and sensory conditions. Working with a breeder who performs comprehensive health screenings on the parents can significantly lower your risk of facing these clinical issues.
Hip Dysplasia
A hereditary malformation of the hip joint where the femur head does not fit properly into the acetabulum, leading to progressive osteoarthritis.
Hypothyroidism
An autoimmune or idiopathic underactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in a slowed metabolic rate.
Congenital Deafness
An inherited sensory defect linked to the piebald or belton coat pattern, which can cause unilateral (one ear) or bilateral (both ears) deafness.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat)
A life-threatening emergency common in deep-chested breeds where the stomach fills with gas and twists on its axis, cutting off blood supply.
Elbow Dysplasia
A developmental abnormality of the elbow joint causing joint instability, cartilage damage, and early-onset arthritis.
How long do English Setters typically live?
With excellent veterinary care, a high-quality diet, and proper exercise, English Setters typically live between 11 and 15 years. Regular geriatric blood work starting around age seven is key to catching conditions like hypothyroidism early.
What to Feed a English Setter
Proper nutrition is vital for supporting this athletic breed’s energy demands while protecting their joints and digestive systems. I always advise owners to feed a high-quality, large-breed-specific formula that supports skeletal health, particularly during their rapid growth phases as puppies.
Best Diet
An age-appropriate, high-quality commercial kibble formulated for large breeds, containing optimal levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. Avoid grain-free diets unless medically indicated by your vet, due to potential links to canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
How to Feed
Split their daily food intake into two equal meals to reduce the risk of GDV (bloat). I strongly recommend using a slow-feeder bowl and strictly avoiding strenuous exercise or running for at least 60 minutes before and after meals.
How Much to Feed
Adult English Setters typically require 2 to 3.5 cups of dry kibble daily, depending on their weight, age, and activity level. Always consult your veterinarian to calculate your specific dog’s daily caloric needs, as field-active dogs need far more energy than house pets.
Nutritional Tips
Supplementing their diet with wild-caught fish oil (EPA/DHA) can work wonders for maintaining their silky coat and supporting joint cartilage. Monitor their body condition score closely; you should easily feel their ribs but not see them protruding.
English Setter Grooming Guide
The magnificent feathering of an English Setter is their signature, but keeping it beautiful requires consistent work. Without regular maintenance, their fine, silky hair quickly turns into dense, painful mats, particularly in high-friction areas like the armpits and behind the ears.
Coat Care
Brush the coat at least three to four times a week with a slicker brush and a steel greyhound comb to prevent mats. Trim the excess hair between the paw pads and around the hocks every few weeks to keep them clean and slip-free.
Skin Care
Bathe them every 4 to 6 weeks using a high-quality, dilutable dog shampoo and a deep conditioner to keep the feathers soft. Always dry them thoroughly, as damp undercoats can lead to bacterial hot spots.
Eye Care
Wipe the corners of the eyes daily with a damp, soft cloth to remove any discharge. If you notice persistent redness or drooping eyelids, have your vet screen them for ectropion.
Ear Care
Clean their long, floppy ears weekly using a veterinarian-approved, drying ear cleanser to remove excess wax and moisture. Because their ears trap moisture, they are highly prone to yeast infections.
Nail & Dental Care
Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks using a grinder or clippers, and brush their teeth at least three times weekly with veterinary enzymatic toothpaste to combat periodontal disease.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Incredibly gentle, sweet, and patient with children.
- Very social and typically excellent with other dogs.
- An elegant, beautiful companion for outdoor adventures.
- Highly adaptable and quiet indoors when properly exercised.
- Intelligent and highly responsive to gentle, positive training.
Cons
- High exercise demands that cannot be skipped.
- Prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
- Requires frequent grooming and professional trimming to prevent severe matting.
- Strong hunting instinct makes off-leash control difficult in open areas.
Best For
Active families, runners, hikers, or hunters who have a fenced yard and can dedicate at least an hour daily to intense exercise. They are perfect for owners who want a highly affectionate, velcro-like companion inside the home.
Not Recommended For
Sedentary owners, apartment dwellers without access to safe running areas, or individuals who are away from home for long workdays. They are also not suited for households looking for an outdoor-only dog or a guard dog.
Cost
- purchase price$1,200 to $2,500
- monthly cost$150 to $250
- initial setupInitial costs include crate, high-quality grooming tools (slicker brush, undercoat rake, steel comb), microchipping, puppy vaccines, and spay/neuter surgery, which typically total $800 to $1,500.
Similar Breeds
English Setter FAQs
Are English Setters hyperactive?
They can be energetic and rambunctious as puppies and young adults, but they typically mature into very calm, polite, and relaxed house dogs around age two or three, provided their daily physical and mental exercise needs are met.
What is a ‘belton’ coat pattern?
The term ‘belton’ is unique to English Setters and describes their distinctive flecked or ticked coat pattern, named after the village of Belton in England. The coat is white with small, scattered spots of color (blue, orange, lemon, or liver) rather than large solid patches.
Do English Setters bark a lot?
They are not known as excessive barkers, but they will alert you to visitors or unusual noises. If left alone and bored for long periods, they may develop nuisance barking habits out of frustration and anxiety.
Can English Setters live in apartments?
It is highly challenging. While they are calm indoors, their size and intense need for daily off-leash running make apartment living difficult unless the owner is deeply committed to taking them to secure running fields multiple times a day.
How do I know if my English Setter puppy is deaf?
The only definitive way to know is through a BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test, which measures the electrical activity of the brain in response to sound. Reputable breeders will have this test performed on the entire litter at 5 to 7 weeks of age.
Are they prone to skin allergies?
Yes, in my clinical experience, English Setters can be sensitive to environmental allergens (atopy) and flea bites, which can manifest as itchy skin, redness, and hot spots. Routine flea prevention and regular bathing with soothing shampoos are key.
Do they drool?
They are generally not heavy droolers compared to some mastiff or hound breeds, but because they have moderately loose upper lips (flews), you can expect some drooling when they are watching you prepare their food or after they drink water.
What is the difference between a ‘field’ setter and a ‘show’ setter?
Field-type setters (often called Llewellin strain) are typically smaller, lighter, have less coat feathering, and possess an intense, high-drive hunting instinct. Show-type setters (often called Laverack strain) are larger, heavier-boned, have much longer, flowing coats, and have a calmer, more laid-back energy level.
Are they easy to crate train?
They can be trained to use a crate quite successfully, but because they are so people-oriented, the crate should never be used as a place of long-term isolation. Make sure the crate is a positive space filled with safe chew toys.
Do English Setters like water?
Most English Setters absolutely love water and are highly capable swimmers. However, if they swim regularly, you must dry their ears thoroughly afterward to prevent bacterial and yeast infections from taking hold.
How often should they see the vet?
Puppies need visits every 3 to 4 weeks for vaccine series, adults should go annually for wellness exams, vaccines, and heartworm testing, and seniors over age seven should visit twice a year to monitor for arthritis and organ function.
Is a fenced yard required for this breed?
While not strictly mandatory for highly dedicated owners who run daily, a securely fenced yard is highly recommended. Their scent-driven hunting instinct is so powerful that they will wander off or chase birds blindly if they are not confined.