Sporting group
English Setter
A gentle, elegant bird dog — a “gentleman by nature” with a speckled coat.
English Setters are graceful, mellow gundogs known for their sweet temperament and speckled belton coat. They are friendly with everyone, but need regular exercise and patient training, and they mature slowly.
- Height
- 23–27 in58–69 cm
- Weight
- 45–80 lb20–36 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Size
- Large
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- England
Coat: Long, silky, flat coat with feathering; distinctive speckled “belton” markings. Colours: Blue belton, Orange belton, Lemon belton, Liver belton, Tricolour.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
English Setters are gentle, affectionate and friendly with people and dogs alike. At home they are often calm and love comfort; many are happy to lounge after a good run.
They can be stubborn and easily distracted by scent and birds, and puppies are exuberant for a long time. Recall requires patience. Show lines tend to be calmer; field lines are lighter and more driven.
Living with a English Setter
Exercise
Needs 60–90 minutes of exercise daily, including off-lead running in safe areas.
Grooming
Brush two or three times a week and trim feathering, ears and feet periodically. Moderate shedding.
Training
Gentle, patient training works best. They can be easily distracted, so keep sessions short and upbeat.
Kids & other pets
Wonderful with children and other dogs. Strong bird instinct means supervision with pet birds and small animals.
Time alone
They prefer company and may bark or chew when bored; plan for midday breaks if you work long hours.
Home fit
Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.
Is a English Setter right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a English Setter matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a English Setter typically lives 11–13 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Congenital deafness
Associated with the white-based coat; BAER testing identifies affected puppies.
Hypothyroidism
Common in the breed; treated with daily medication.
Skin allergies
Environmental allergies can cause itching and ear infections.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- BAER hearing test
- Thyroid evaluation
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: English Setter; English Setter Association of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Setting dogs — bird dogs that crouched or “set” to indicate game for hunters with nets — existed in England for centuries. In the 1800s Edward Laverack refined a type from his own lines, and R. Purcell Llewellin crossed Laverack dogs with others to produce outstanding field setters.
The breed was among the first recognised by the AKC, in 1884. American field lines are still called Llewellin setters by some hunters.
Did you know?
- “Belton” is named after a village in Northumberland where Edward Laverack hunted.
- English Setter puppies are born mostly white; their speckles develop over weeks.
- The breed was among the first nine recognised by the AKC.
Library guides for English Setter owners
Grooming
Bathing
How to bath a English Setter without drying out the coat.
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Tug of War
An energy outlet that also builds impulse control.
Grooming
Ear Cleaning
Ear care matters for this coat and ear type.
Exercise & Play
Dog Walking
Getting daily walks right for a English Setter.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are English Setters good family dogs?
- Yes — they are gentle and affectionate with children and other pets.
- Do English Setters shed?
- Moderately. Regular brushing keeps the silky coat tidy.
- Are English Setters easy to train?
- They are willing but easily distracted. Patient, reward-based training works best.