English Setter
Known in French as Setter Anglais
- Height at the withers
- 61 to 68 cm
- Weight
- 20 to 36 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- England
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
An elegant, athletic pointing dog, recognizable by its flecked (belton) coat, silky feathering and graceful gait. Passionate in the field, it is gentle and very sociable at home.
History and origins
Developed in England more than 400 years ago from spaniel lines, then refined in the 19th century by Edward Laverack and R. Purcell Llewellin to create a gun dog specialized in finding and pointing game birds.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Congenital deafness
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Skin allergies
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Moderate shedding, high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- High, 4 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
English Setter FAQ
How big does the English Setter get?
The English Setter stands 61 to 68 cm at the withers and weighs 20 to 36 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the English Setter shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs a lot of care. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the English Setter live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the English Setter need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the English Setter good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the English Setter live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are congenital deafness, as well as hip and elbow dysplasia.
