English Setter
The English Setter is one of the oldest gun dog breeds — setters were known in England by the 16th century as the "setting spaniel" that would crouch (set) when it located game, allowing the hunter to cast a net over both dog and birds.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
11–12 years
Weight
20–36 kg (45–80 lbs)
Height
61–69 cm (24–27 in)
Exercise
60 to 90 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active large gun dog.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The English Setter is one of the oldest gun dog breeds — setters were known in England by the 16th century as the "setting spaniel" that would crouch (set) when it located game, allowing the hunter to cast a net over both dog and birds. The modern breed was systematically developed by Edward Laverack from 1825 onward and further refined by R. Purcell Llewellin into a working line. The distinctive "belton" colouring — intermingled white and colour hairs creating a speckled or roan effect — is unique to the English Setter and named after a village in Northumberland.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, elegant, aristocratic gun dog with a long, silky, flat coat with abundant feathering on the ears, chest, belly, legs, and tail. The distinctive "belton" speckled colouration — like individual coloured hairs mixed through the white coat — gives it an unique, rosy-roan appearance unlike any other breed.
Grooming
High
Shedding
High
Brushing
3-4x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Gentle, friendly, and mischievous — the English Setter is an affectionate, energetic, people-loving dog with a playful streak. One of the more gentle and sensitive gun dogs. Excellent with children.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Large-Garden
Daily Exercise
60 to 90 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 28°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
excessive barking, destructive behaviour, pacing, soft mouthing, depression
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. The silky coat requires brushing 3–4 times weekly and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks to prevent matting.
Nutrition Notes
Bloat risk (deep-chested) — feed 2-3 meals, no exercise after eating. Hypothyroidism common; may need thyroid-supportive diet. Moderate food drive compared to retrievers. Joint support for active dogs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Deafness (congenital) — BAER test puppies. Hypothyroidism. Elbow dysplasia. PRA in some lines. Bloat risk increases with age. Cancer rates moderate. The breed matures slowly — puppyish behaviour until age 3-4. Generally healthy with 11-15 year lifespan.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1400 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
1000 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Congenital deafness — associated with the belton colouring (white pigmentation); BAER testing of puppies recommended. Progressive retinal atrophy. Elbow dysplasia.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Belton pattern (flecked/roan) is unique to English Setters — blue belton, orange belton, tricolour. Field lines lighter built than show lines (Laverack vs Llewellin). India: very rare, premium pricing for imports.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The English Setter's "belton" colouring — named after the village of Belton in Northumberland — is unique among dog breeds. The effect of individual coloured hairs intermingled with white creates a ticked, rosy appearance different from the roan of spaniels or the merle of collies.
Edward Laverack worked on developing the English Setter for 35 years (1825–1860) — he kept meticulous studbooks over three decades to produce what he considered the perfect English gun dog.
