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English Setter Dog & Puppies

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English Setter - The Dog who Sits

Picture of an English Setter Dog

Breed Origins:
England ( 1300's )
Breed usage: Hunting Dog: Small Game - bird setting and retrieving
Dog Weight: 55 - 70 Pounds
Dog Height: 24 to 27 inches to the shoulder
Cost of Puppies:
 		From $250 US Dollars
 

Information, Facts & Origins of the English Setter Dog
The English Setter comes from England and was bred originally to hunt small game- bird setting and retrieving. It's origins can be dated back to the 1300's. This dog is classified as one of the Sporting Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this page. The English Setter was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1878.

English Setter Dog Names

Information, Facts & History of the English Setter Dog
The name Setter originates from the word to Set or Sit when they locate their quarry. The English Setter is the oldest and probably the most distinctive of the four setter breeds. The English Setter, as we know it today, is mainly due to the work of Edward Laverack whose kennels has such influence on the breed throughout the 19th century that the dog was often known as a Laverack Setter. Laverack used hard in-breeding to achieve this breed and upon his death his prime breeding stock went to Mr. Percell-Llewellin whose dogs were internationally famous for several decades. Description of the English Setter Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours information
The English Setter's coat is normally a shade of black and white, orange and white, cream and white, brown and white or tri-coloured. The coat is normally short, straight and dense.

Dog & Puppies Health information - potential problems of the English Setter Dog Breed
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog health problems, including those of the English Setter, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the English Setter may be checked via the Dog Symptoms Sorter, but can include:

  • Elbow Dysplasia (abnormal development of elbow joints)
  • Deafness

Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems
Please click the following link for additional information which we have provided via our:

Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems

This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Illness Symptoms Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.

Information on Grooming and Care of the English Setter Dog Breed
The English Setter requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older English Setter dogs.

Life Expectancy information of the English Setter Dog Breed
The life expectancy for this particular breed is 10 – 12 years.

Age comparison between the English Setter Dog Breed and a Human
Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age.

The Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average English Setter - essential information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan " A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will suit the life and living conditions of the family.

English Setter Puppies info
The Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that the following considerations should always be taken into account when choosing puppies:

  • Budget - Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding costs of the breed
  • Convenience and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
  • Personal situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies, asthma or back pain
  • Exercising requirements for the English Setter breed
  • Living Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
  • Family - child suitability
  • Puppy and Dog Names - The Importance of choosing the right names

Sporting Dog (Gundog) Breed Information
Dogs in the Sporting group, which are referred to in England as Gundogs, which include the English Setter, can be divided into three main categories - Retrievers, Pointers and Setters.  These dogs were bred primarily to work with people to hunt game birds. Some of these dogs work in water whilst other dogs are more suited to  work on land and many of the dogs in the Sporting dog category are comfortable and capable of working in either land or water environments. Sporting dogs, including the English Setter, are particularly suited to wood and field activities. The Retriever, Pointer and Setter dogs and their main functionalities are as follows: 

  • The Retriever dog - Retriever dogs find and return killed game to the hunter. Some Retrievers are especially equipped, for instance with a water-repellent coat and webbed feet, for retrieving downed waterfowl.
  • The Pointer dog - Pointer dogs stand in front of their quarry, with their nose and body rigidly still , thus directing (or pointing) the hunter to its location.
  • The Setter dog - Setter dogs were originally trained to set, or crouch, in front of game preventing the escape of the quarry. The hunter would make the capture with a net. 

Sporting Dogs hunt by air scent, as opposed to ground scent used by the dogs categorised as being in the Hound category. Characteristics and features of Sporting Dogs have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the various Sporting breeds, or Gundogs, including the English Setter, were initially introduced to help man according to his specific requirements such as:

  • Hunting game birds
  • Hunting waterfowl
  • Retrieving game that had been shot and wounded
  • Pointing to game to allow the hunter to catch or shoot the quarry
  • Startling, or flushing, birds from their cover

In this day and age only a few English Setters might undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original English Setter breeding program successful.

It is said that they are perhaps the most intelligent of the breeds, resulting in their wide variety of uses and their ease of training. These dogs like to be around people and are active and alert and require regular, invigorating exercise and lots of attention. 

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