English Setter

The English setter is a gentle, friendly, placid dog that is especially good with children. He is mild-mannered and sensitive and loves to both give and receive affection. These dogs are known to be alert and protective of their families and territories, but will calm down quickly when told to.

English setters are very sociable dogs. They enjoy being with both people and other dogs.

These dogs are known to enjoy roaming, digging and jumping. They are very active as puppies but are known to mellow out considerably when they fully mature.

The active English setter needs plenty of exercise, particularly when he is a puppy. Hikers or joggers will find this breed blends in beautifully with their lifestyles. Minimum exercise should be a long, brisk walk every day, without which the dog might become difficult to manage. However, one should exercise a puppy or young English setter carefully; the dog's bones do not mature fully until about 12-14 mo. of age.

The English setter is an intensely friendly dog. He does not do well banished to the backyard or to a doghouse. Even more than most dogs, he needs to be with people and included in their daily lives.

The coat will mat and tangle if not brushed at least once a week. The deep flews tend to drip water after drinking.

The English setter is one of the oldest gun dog breeds, with a history that traces back to the 14th century. Among its forebears are the Spanish pointer, French pointer and a variety of spaniels. In fact, the breed was originally known as a setting spaniel.

The breed came into its own in England in the early 1800s when Sir Edward Laverack created a special hunting strain of the English setter. Later, R. Purcell Llewellin developed yet another hunting strain. The influence of these two breeders is so great that English setters are sometimes called "Laverack setters" or "Llewellin setters."

The word "setter" refers to the almost-seated position the dog assumes when he has discovered game.