ENGLISH SETTER Breed Standards
The oldest setter known today, the English Setter is likely descended from crossbreeding between the Spanish Pointer, Springer Spaniel, and other water spaniels. So called because the dog would naturally crouch, or set, when it spotted game, the English Setter has been used as a hunting dog for a very long time, perhaps as far back as the 13th century.
In 1825, an Englishman by the name of Edward Laverack began a 35-year quest to turn the English Setter into a recognizable pure breed. His efforts attracted the attention of another breeder, Purcell Llewellin, who took some of Laverack’s setters and concentrated on cultivating the dog’s field abilities. Llewellin was so successful in this endeavor that the English Setter eventually came to be seen as having two distinct classes: Laverack’s show setters were prized for their looks and elegance, while Llewellin’s field setters excelled at hunting and field work. The English Setter was imported to the United States during the latter half of the 19th century and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. Though never a superstar in North America, the English Setter has been a fairly common fixture on this side of the Atlantic for well over a century.
SKILLS: An elegant, substantial and symmetrical gun dog suggesting the ideal blend of strength, stamina, grace, and style. Flat-coated with feathering of good length. Gaiting freely and smoothly with long forward reach, strong rear drive and firm topline. Males decidedly masculine without coarseness. Females decidedly feminine without over-refinement. Overall appearance, balance, gait, and purpose to be given more emphasis than any component part. Above all, extremes of anything distort type and must be faulted.
SIZE: Dogs about 25 inches; bitches about 24 inches.
COAT: Coat - Flat without curl or wooliness. Feathering on ears, chest, abdomen, underside of thighs, back of all legs and on the tail of good length but not so excessive as to hide true lines and movementor to affect the dog's appearance or function as a sporting dog.
Markings and Color - Markings - white ground color with intermingling of darker hairs resulting in belton markings varying in degree from clear distinct flecking to roan shading, but flecked all over preferred. Head and ear patches acceptable, heavy patches of color on the body undesirable. Color - orange belton, blue belton (white with black markings), tricolor (blue belton with tan on muzzle, over the eyes and on the legs), lemon belton, liver belton.
CARE REQUIRED: Regular combing and brushing of the soft, flat, medium-length coat is all that is required to keep it in excellent condition. It is important to check for burrs and tangles, and to give extra care when the dog is shedding. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. Trim the hair on the bottom of the feet and clip the nails. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: Gentle, affectionate, friendly, without shyness, fear or viciousness.
EXERCISE: All Setters need plenty of exercise - if possible, running free. If they don't get a long, brisk, daily walk, they will be difficult to manage.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Not recommended for apartment living and does best with at least an average-sized yard.
TRAINING: There are two types of English Setter: field and show. The field types are generally a bit smaller and lighter, and very active so they need more exercise than the show types. Both types need daily exercise to stay healthy and happy and must have a fenced yard. The English Setter tends to be quite vocal and can become a nuisance barker if not discouraged early in life.
