The English Setter has a gorgeous white coat flecked with tan (orange belton) or black (blue belton). Others are tricolor, having black flecks on the coat and tan points on the muzzle and legs.
Lively and lovely, the English Setter is a medium-size pointing breed that originated in Britain. In the field, his job is to find and point game birds, and he is prized for his exceptional nose and good memory. For both hunters and pet owners, he stands out for his distinctive feathered coat and gentle nature. Of the three Setter breeds, he is the smallest, weighing between 35 to 80 pounds depending on whether he is bred for field or show ring.
Unlike some sporting breeds, there are few differences between English Setters bred for the field and those bred for the show ring. Field-bred dogs are slightly smaller and have less coat, but an English Setter bred for conformation may be capable of performing in the field. Both types make good companions.
The English Setter loves to run, but if given his daily quota of exercise, he is a calm, sweet housedog. The English Setter is friendly and mellow, and he can be a good choice for families with children. He also gets along well with other pets such as cats if he’s raised with them. English Setters are alert and will bark to let you know that someone is approaching the house.
Choose an English Setter if you are an active person who can give him the exercise he needs. A long walk or a half-hour run will do, or you can take him hiking or run him alongside your bicycle, safely leashed. He’s also a super competitor in dog sports such as agility, obedience, and rally and can be an excellent therapy dog.
English Setters need frequent combing to prevent or remove mats and tangles. A bath every six weeks or so doesn’t go amiss. In addition, trim the nails as needed, brush the teeth, and keep the ears clean and dry to prevent infections.
Last but not least, it should go without saying that a people-loving dog like the English Setter needs to live in the house with plenty of human companionship.
Other Quick Facts
The English Setter’s coat is white with intermingling darker hairs, a pattern known as belton. The coat can be blue belton (black and white), tricolor (blue belton with tan patches), orange belton (orange and white), lemon belton (lemon and white), and liver belton (liver and white). Lemon and liver are not often seen.
Some English Setters have a tendency to drool, especially if they’re watching you eat or waiting for a treat.
