English Setter Breed Guide: Temperament, Care and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

The English Setter is an elegant, gentle gundog with a speckled coat called belton and a soft expression. It is friendly, mellow and affectionate, and one of the more relaxed of the setting breeds.

Origins and appearance

The breed developed in England over centuries, refined in the nineteenth century into two main types, show and field. English Setters are medium-large and graceful, with a long head, drop ears, a silky coat with feathering, flecked with orange, blue, liver or lemon on white, and a feathered tail.

Temperament

They are gentle, friendly and affectionate. They love people and are usually good with children and other dogs. They are energetic but often calmer than other setters. They are sensitive and dislike harsh handling. They dislike being left alone. They mature slowly.

Exercise

They need an hour or more of daily exercise, with walks, running and play. They excel at field work. Mental work matters. They need secure fencing, since they follow scents.

Training

They are intelligent and willing but sensitive and distractible. Use positive methods, variety and early socialization. Teach a recall and calm greeting. See recall training guide.

Coat and grooming

The silky coat needs brushing several times a week and a trim of the feathering. See silky coat dog grooming guide. Clean the ears, trim nails and brush teeth.

Health considerations

Topics include:

• Hip dysplasia. See hip dysplasia in dogs
• Deafness, more common in some lines
• Skin allergies. See dog skin allergies
• Hypothyroidism. See hypothyroidism in dogs
• Ear infections. See dog ear infections
• Bloat. See bloat and GDV in dogs

Living with an English Setter

They suit active families with a yard. They do best with company. They are poorly suited to long hours alone.

A typical day

An English Setter wants a morning run, training, a rest, play and an evening walk. Many are gentle, mellow companions at home.

Puppies and the first year

Puppies are bouncy and clumsy. Begin socialization, handling and training. Provide chew toys, and avoid heavy exercise while growing. See puppy socialization checklist.

Costs and commitment

Plan for food, grooming and vet care. See dog vet cost guide.

Seasons and travel

They tolerate cold well, but need shade and water in heat. They travel well when exercised.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include underexercising, skipping grooming, leaving the dog alone and using harsh training.

Choosing a puppy or adult

Ask about hip tests, hearing tests and the parents' temperaments. Field lines are leaner and more driven than show lines.

Belton and hearing

Belton is the speckled pattern that gives the breed its look. Extensive white coloring is linked with deafness in some dogs, so ask breeders about hearing tests, such as BAER testing.

A gentle gundog

Many English Setters are mellow indoors and love to lie near family. They may be too gentle for strong correction, so reward-based training works well.

Is it the right breed for you?

An English Setter suits active, gentle owners who want a mellow, elegant gundog and will groom. It may not suit those who are away all day. For a related breed, see the Irish Setter.

Show and field types

Show-bred English Setters carry more coat and a heavier build, and many are mellow companions. Field-bred dogs are smaller and leaner, with less feathering and more drive, and they need more exercise. If you want a family pet, ask breeders honestly what the parents are like at home, not just in the field. Many owners enjoy both types, but matching energy to lifestyle is the secret to a happy setter household.

Coat care at home

Feathering collects burrs, mud and seeds. After walks, run a comb through the legs, chest and tail. Regular trimming of the feet and ear hair helps prevent mats. Wash the ears and feathering when dirty, dry thoroughly and keep nails short.

The takeaway

English Setters are gentle, flecked and elegant, and they need exercise, grooming and company.