English Setter

OVERVIEW OF THE ENGLISH SETTER
Tracing its lineage back to crosses between Spanish Pointer, English Springer Spaniel, and large Water Spaniel dogs, the English Setter is a marvelous dog breed that is equal parts graceful and efficient at tracking games.
400 years ago, these gun dogs were initially trained to ‘set’ when they saw birds. This low crouch signaled the location of the bird to the hunter, who then threw a net over it. The setting act is what gives this dog breed its last name.
Two centuries later, in the 1800s, these dogs found themselves at the house of Englishman, Edward Laverack. With the help of monitored breeding, he was able to develop his own strain of the Setter that was adept at hunting. This Laverack-type English Setter boasted finer features and heavy feathering.
A few years down the lane, the Laverack-type doggo was crossbred by Richard Purcell Llewellin of England. This new strain, called the Llewellin, was a shorter version of the Laverack, had less feathering, and was primarily bred as a show dog.
Today, the Laveracks and the Llewellin-types are what primarily make up this dog breed. Regardless of the type, the English Setter is easily distinguishable by its dome-shaped head that sits atop a long neck and bulky shoulders. Chiseled into this head are the Setter’s gentle eyes that are usually dark in color.
Speaking of color, this dog breed comes in a variety of shades. In fact, Laverack coined a unique word for this distinct coloring of the coat: Belton. From blue to orange to liver and lemon, the Belton combinations are many; each distinctly pretty.
The English Setter’s height ranges between 24 inches for females and 27 inches for males. This height is supported by a powerful set of legs, around which silky feathering runs through. These fringes are also found on the outside of the pooch’s ears, neck, chest and under the belly.
Personality-wise, English Setters are extremely friendly and sweet-tempered. In fact, they’re known as gentlemen of the dog world. All lovey-dovey with the people they know, these dogs also have a protective side. They’ll bark ferociously at any person who dares trespass the property of their human. This makes them amazing watchdogs.
Considering its history, it comes as no surprise that this super agile and energetic dog prefers the outdoors. It is also extremely friendly with other dogs and very tolerant. The latter trait makes the English Setter an amazing therapy dog.
ENGLISH SETTER FOOD AND HEALTH
Depending on their age, sex and type, English Setters can weigh anywhere between 45 and 80 pounds. This weight can, however, quickly and uncontrollably get out of hand since this dog breed tends to overeat and subsequently get obese.
Their agile nature makes them great counter surfers while their sensitive noses mean no secret hiding place for the snacks is really “secret”. The best course of action is to discourage overeating with positive training. Speaking of training, the English Setter doesn’t respond well to angry voices and harsh training methods. So, those must be a big no.
The active lifestyle of this Setter means you’ll need to feed it between 14 and 25 ounces of food every day that is loaded with high amounts of protein and calories. You must cut back on these calories, however, if you witness your pup getting all pudgy.
Consider something like the Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for your English Setter. The absence of grain here means your pooch’s gut will remain all happy. Also, the raw ingredients will be easier to digest which will prevent flatulence and reduce the number of potty breaks. On the note of these breaks, English Setters are infamously hard to potty train. So, the tip here is to start early and be extremely consistent with it.
The general rule of thumb is to feed an adult English Setter twice a day. This may vary depending on your pooch’s weight and health conditions. So, the best way forward is to consult your vet. Not only will such a consultation ensure your canine gets the right amount of feed, but also steer them clear away from dog foods containing potential allergens.
Reactions to such allergens will usually be in the form of itchy ears, feet, and belly. Sometimes these symptoms can worsen into swelling, vomiting, and diarrhea. In such a case, you must immediately book an appointment with the vet.
Allergy flare-ups shouldn’t be the only time you should visit the vet, though. Routine checkups should be a must. In most cases, these checkups will prevent any severe medical conditions from developing.
Speaking of medical conditions, your English Setter can develop bloat. The technical name for this condition is gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). What happens in bloat is your dog’s tummy fills up with air. As the pressure builds, the blood flow from the dog’s hind legs and abdomen are unable to reach the heart. This leads to the pup going into shock.
GDV symptoms like an enlarged belly, excessive restlessness, salivation, and retching should be looked out for. We understand these visits to the doc and medicinal bills can get a little overwhelming. So, we recommend opting for some sort of pet insurance to create some leeway.
LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR YOUR ENGLISH SETTER
From aesthetics to practicality to safety, a leash, collar, and harness are must-haves when you adopt an English Setter. Let’s start off by talking about the leash. As is well-established by now, these dogs like frolicking around. This means they won’t exactly enjoy being restricted by a rope.
So, we recommend opting for retractable options like the TUG 360° Retractable Dog Leash. This option boasts an ergonomic TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) grip and a nylon leash which is extremely durable and stretchy.
Since it is retractable, there is freedom of setting length. You can go for a shorter length when you need to have your pup by your side during city walks. Feel free to give your pooch a bit more freedom when hiking through the park or riding a bicycle with them. You can even go for off-leash runs with your English Setter. Just make sure you do that in a closed fence area for safety purposes.
You can tie a leash to your pup’s collar or harness. The latter option is preferred since a harness will evenly distribute the force of tugging at the leash. This will, in turn, prevent your dog from straining its neck. A harness will also make it easier to lift up your pup.
We recommend going for something breathable and durable like the Non-stop dogwear Freemotion Harness. Also, this option is plenty adjustable which means you won’t have to worry a lot about the sizing.
Just because you’re tying the leash to the harness doesn’t mean a dog collar gets redundant. No, sir! You’ll still need one for identification purposes. Let’s not forget the styling side of things and how a collar can be used to twin with your pup or make a statement.
When deciding upon a new dog collar, you must consider its material and fit. Anything that causes your canine’s fur to mat should be a big no. You can also opt for a martingale dog collar if your English Setter has an especially aggressive temperament.
BEST CRATES, BEDS, AND DOG HOUSES FOR ENGLISH SETTERS
Since the English Setter is an extroverted dog breed, it’d be wise to not confine it in restricted spaces. You can, however, get a crate to train this dog in its early years. Just make sure the crate is large and sturdy enough to accommodate your dog’s height and weight.
As far as the latter goes, a good rule of thumb is to give your pup just enough room to stand and turn. Also, you’ll often find your Setter trying to break out of the crate. This is why your new crate must have a secure locking mechanism.
The Single & Double Door Life Stages Dog Crate from MidWest is a great option for most English Setters. It comes in a large variety of sizes to cater to maximum pet parent needs. The metallic construction ensures optimal sturdiness, while this crate’s collapsible nature makes it extra portable and easy to store.
Training aside, you must also think about the lounging needs of your new four-legged friend. You see, an English Setter will need a decent amount of sleep time — what with all the running around it’ll be doing all day.
While you can always treat your dog with a luxuriously soft and cushy bed, we recommend going orthopedic. An orthopedic bed, like this one from Happy Hounds, will ensure your pup gets the right amount of support. This will prevent back and hip problems as they age.
Lastly, you should also think about investing in a good-quality dog house. This will be a great option for your pup to lounge in during play breaks in the yard. Speaking of yards, make sure you have a fence around your place. The last thing you want is your pup to get distracted by a bird and go about chasing it in the wild.
When considering a dog house, make sure you go for a wooden option. This will ensure your ball of fur gets the optimal amount of insulation. Wood is also extremely durable and looks classy. Some other considerations include ease of installation. Trust us, the last thing you want is wasting an entire Sunday trying to erect a dog house to only fail at it.
ENGLISH SETTER TOYS
Before we move onto the playtime side of things, you must understand English Setters were bred to work at a distance from their owners. Independent decision-making has been in-built into their genome because of this. So, you must offer them something very interesting if you hope to hold their attention.
For this reason, consider pet strategy toys like the TRIXIE Dog Activity. This will stimulate your pup’s brain and keep it occupied. You can also opt for chew toys if your English Setter is relatively chew-friendly. Throw balls and frisbees should be great options when you’re looking to burn some of that extra energy in your dog.
GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR ENGLISH SETTER OWNERS
Other than the regular dental, ear, and nail care, you must also take care of your English Setter’s regal coat. A bath every four to six weeks, or when required, should do the trick. Other than that, brushing sessions should be added to the weekly regime.
A long-tooth comb, preferably metallic, will make short work of any tangles on your Setter’s coat. On the other hand, a soft bristle brush should be more than adequate for regular brushing to give the coat a silky shine. You can also trim the excess hair on your pooch to give it a fresh look.
As far as shedding goes, you can expect moderate amounts. If you feel like your English Setter is shedding in large amounts, consider getting it checked up. Nevertheless, a decent diet and regular brushing should keep shedding at bay.
Since this dog breed loves the outdoors, you may sometimes find a flea or two on its coat after a day out. If this number increases, consider flea treatments like the Advantage II Large Dog Flea Treatment.
ENGLISH SETTER ACCESSORIES
One of the great joys of pet parenting includes accessorizing your four-legged friend. So, if you’re in the market for some accessories for your English Setter, we recommend going for something like this GPS + Health + Fitness tracker from Whistle. It will not only help you keep track of your pup, but also check its vitals. This makes it a great option for pet parents who’d like their dogs to be just as fit and health-conscious as themselves.
Speaking of health and fitness, if you often find yourself on a bicycle seat, and would like your dog to accompany you on your cycling adventures, take a look at this Pet Carrier Bicycle Basket Bag from BARKBAY. It is not only stylish but also extremely durable and breathable.
Please visit our breed hub page to learn more about medium-sized breeds like the English Setter.