The English Setter is a dog breed who will surely love to spend time with you and your kids. A true family dog, this breed is loving, sweet, and has an agreeable temperament. If you’re looking for the perfect dog breed for your family, check this guide on the English Setter out.
Is The English Setter An Ideal Family Dog?
English Setter Personality
- Mildest-mannered of the three setter breeds — Irish, Gordon and English
- Easy to train but bad habits are hard to break
- Loves people of all ages
- Exuberant and vivacious outdoors
- Good for apartments as long as they get the exercise they need
The English setter is a true family dog, because the breed is mild-mannered and sweet. In fact, the English Setter is the mildest-mannered dog of the three Setter breeds, English, Gordon, and Irish. This dog breed is so gentle, you can actually trust them around children. A unique characteristic of an English Setter is that they have a very good memory. English Setters have long memories, which means once they learn something, it’s hard to make them forget it.
That leads us to this dog breed’s trainability. Since this dog breed has a long and good memory, they are easy to train. However, should you wait to train later on when your dog has already learned bad habits, these habits will be harder to break and change. It is important to train early to make sure they only learn the good habits.
English Setters are ideal family dogs, because they can get along with almost everyone, regardless of age. They can get along with other pets, too. However, despite being sociable, they must not be left alone all day without other people or pets, because they can become destructive if struck with separation anxiety.
Some important traits that you should also keep in mind are that English Setters can become exuberant and vivacious outdoors. They can become hyperactive, so provide them with enough exercise to break this bad habit. Long daily walks and dog games are recommended to vent their energy.
English Setters are still good for apartments, because even if they become hyper outdoors, they tend to behave indoors. However, make sure to let them go out occasionally, as they need a bigger space for activities like playing fetch or running. A fenced backyard is ideal for this dog breed.
Size & Color
- Medium-sized dog
- The hair is long, flat, silky and a little wavy.
- Variety of colors
The English Setter is a medium-sized dog with an average height of 25 to 27 inches in males and 23 to 25 inches in females. The standard weight of this dog breed ranges from 45 to 80 pounds (65 to 80 pounds for males and 45 to 55 pounds for females).
The American Kennel Club describes the English Setter as:
The word “belton,” unique to this breed, describes the speckled patterns of the coat, which comes in colors that sound good enough to eat: liver, lemon, and orange among them. Beneath the showy coat is a well-balanced hunter standing about 25 inches at the shoulder. The graceful neck carries a long, oval-shaped head proudly, and the dark brown eyes convey a soft expression that reflects the breed’s sweet soul.
There are five AKC-approved colors and markings of English Setters — blue belton, blue belton & tan or tri-color, liver belton, lemon belton, and orange belton.
Health
Gun Dog Breeders: What Health Issues Do Breeders Watch For in an English Setter?https://t.co/69KFSsAIEL #gundogs #healthy
— CSJ Dog Food (@CSJDogFood) March 9, 2016
- Exercise and mental stimulation
- Prevent overfeeding
- Variety of diseases
English Setters need regular exercise and mental stimulation. All Setters need daily long walks, jogs, and games to keep them entertained and to let them release all their energy. When an English Setter becomes bored or restless, they can be hard to manage. Moreover, you need to have a fenced yard for them to run around and engage in various activities.
This dog breed has a tendency to overeat. Do not overfeed your dog because this might lead to obesity. Lastly, there are many diseases that could affect your English Setter, including:
- Hip dysplasia
- Deafness
- Hypothyroidism
- Elbow dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
This dog breed is also prone to diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia, and hereditary eye diseases, which can lead to blindness.
English Setters are also prone to allergies. Chronic allergies may result in itchy skin and skin infections.
English Setters have the highest rate of thyroid disease of all breeds, with up to 40% affected. Thyroid disease is treatable but does require lifelong medication.
Food & Diet
The amount of food your English Setter needs depends on his age, gender, metabolism, and activity level. On average, you can feed your dog about 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food each day, which is divided into two meals. Don’t let food be available throughout the day, because this may lead to overeating. This breed is prone to overeating, heightening the risk factor for obesity.
Puppies between 8 and 12 weeks need about four bowls of food each day. However, those who are three to six months old may be fed three meals per day and puppies who are six months old to one year old, are fed two times daily.
Lifespan Of An English Setter
On average, the lifespan of an English Setter is between 10 and 12 years. Healthy dogs may maximize their lifespan and, in some cases, exceed this time frame. The lifespan of your dog depends on the quality of life and other factors, such as the presence of underlying health conditions and how their owners take care of them.
English Setter Grooming
- Regular brushing
- Sheds a lot
- Baths every six to eight weeks
- Regular oral and nail care
English Setters are popular for their feathered coats, which are generally white with flecks or patches of orange, black, or brown. For grooming, you need to brush your dog’s coat at least three times a week. Use a stiff bristle brush to keep the coat shiny and to remove tangles.
You should also consider giving your Setter occasional baths, at least every six weeks. However, you can also bath your dog if the need arises, like when they have played outdoors. Regular bathing may strip their skin off essential oils that are important to keep the coat and skin healthy.
Brush your dog’s teeth at least two to three times a week to remove food residue and tartar. Moreover, trim your dog’s nails regularly.
Price Of An English Setter Puppy
The average price of an English Setter ranges from $350 to $500. However, the price of a puppy depends on the age, gender and family line. Those who come from champion lines are more expensive than regular puppies.
History Of The English Setter Breed
The English Setter is one of the oldest gundog breeds. The history of this breed traces back to the 14th century. The English Setter was a trained bird dog in England and his origins come from the breeding of Spanish Pointer, Springer Spaniel, and Water Spaniel.
Fun Fact
The dog breeds are divided into different dog types which are called Dog Groups. English Setters belong to the Sporting dog breed.
Learn more about the English Setter Breed through this video by The Dog Show:
Could the English Setter be the dog you’ve been looking for? If you want a dog who’s mild, sweet and active, this dog breed is ideal for you. Aside from these traits, they are great for families with kids, too. If you want to spend time with your dog through physical activities, the English Setter is the perfect doggy match.
Have you decided on what dog breed to adopt? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
