English Setter

Breed overview

The English Setter is a medium-size breed of dog. It is part of the setter group, which includes the red Irish Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, and black-and-tan Gordon Setters. The mainly white coat has long silky fringes on the back of the legs, under the belly and on the tail. The coat features flecks of colour (known as ticking), and the different colour varieties are referred to as 'belton'. As a gun dog, it is used to hunt for game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. It is sometimes referred to as the Laverack or Llewellin Setter as these were famous strains of the breed during the major development period in the 19th century. Those from hunting stock are generally of a finer build and with less coat than those bred for show exhibition.

• Breed classification: setterBreed reference breed group.
• Breed classification: Gun dogBreed reference breed group.
• Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
• Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• "Setting dogges" is an old term used for setters and the original purpose of the English Setter was to set or point upland game birds.
• From the best available information, it appears that the English Setter was a trained bird dog in England more than 400 years ago and there are works of art created in the early 15th century showing dogs that are discernible as being of a "setter type".
• There is evidence that the English Setter originated in crosses of the Spanish Pointer, large Water Spaniel, and English Springer Spaniel, which combined to produce an excellent bird dog with a high degree of proficiency in finding and pointing game in open country.
• Writing in 1576, Dr Johannes Caius states: "There is also at this date among us a new kind of dogge brought out of Fraunce, and they bee speckled all over with white and black, which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe".
• By the 17th century setters, or "setting dogges", had become established and were widespread on British estates, although the evolution into the more specific individual breeds of setters occurred at a later date.

Size and appearance

The English Setter is a medium-sized dog which should have an elegant overall appearance. Its size can range from 24 in for females up to 27 in for males. The field or hunting type can be finer in build and construction than those from bench or show lines. The breed was designed to hunt game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse so should be able to cover a lot of ground when seeking the airborne scent of the birds, carrying its head high. The head should be slightly domed with a muzzle of good depth and show chiselling under the eyes, which should be dark in colour with a kind, gentle expression. The top of the ears (sometimes the ears are referred to as "leathers") are positioned in line with the eyes and lie in an elegant fold. It has a long muscular neck, well angled shoulders and a brisket of good depth. The body is of a moderate length proportionate to its height and it has strong powerful hindquarters. It carries its tail in line with its back and the tail should be long enough to reach the hock.

• Height reference: Up to 65 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
• Height reference: 61 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
• Height reference: Up to 68 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
• Height reference: 65 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.

• Coat length: short
• Coat length: medium
• Coat length: long
• Height category: tall

Personality and behavior

This breed's standard temperament is best described as a "Gentleman by Nature". However, it can also be strong-willed and mischievous, especially if coming from working/field breeding lines. English Setters are energetic, people-oriented dogs, that are well suited to families who can give them attention and activity, or to working with a hunter, where they have a job to do. They are active dogs that need plenty of exercise and up to two hours a day of exercise is recommended. English Setters are very intelligent and can be trained to perform about any task another breed can do, with the exception of herding. However, they are not always easy to train, as their natural bird instinct tends to distract them in outdoor environments. Their temperament is considered to be gentle and as English Setters can be very sensitive to criticism, positive reinforcement training methods using treats and praise work best when undertaking basic training.

• Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.84 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.33 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.63 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.78 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.05 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.88 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.44 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.67 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.19 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.33 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.32 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.72 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population English Setter.
• Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.51 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population English Setter.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat length: short
• Coat length: medium
• Coat length: long

Health and lifespan

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds. A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 10 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

"Setting dogges" is an old term used for setters and the original purpose of the English Setter was to set or point upland game birds. There is evidence that the English Setter originated in crosses of the Spanish Pointer, large Water Spaniel, and English Springer Spaniel, which combined to produce an excellent bird dog with a high degree of proficiency in finding and pointing game in open country. Argue speculates this may be a description of the blue belton colour found in English Setters.

Clubs and further reading

• English Setter Association of America, Inc.
• English Setter - article and references

Sources

1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
3. File:EnglishSetter9 fx wb.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. EnglishSetter9 fx wb.jpg - Elf at English Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EnglishSetter9_fx_wb.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
4. English Setter - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, English Setter, revision 1368878187. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=English_Setter&action=history
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.