Dog Breeds 101: English Setter

Photo – Wikipedia – lic. under CC 2.0

The graceful and easygoing English Setter is not only the perfect pet but an excellent hunting companion as well. These dogs are known to be gentle, kind and affectionate to their families and gets along fine with the kids. These qualities make them a great choice for first-time dog owners. [1]

English Setters were originally bred to set or point upland game and were specifically trained to hunt birds in England. These dogs have been around for a long time and there are even works of art created in the 15th century showing dogs that are of the setter type. Evidence suggest that the English Setter originated from the crossbreeding of the Spanish Pointer, the Water Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel. The result was a dog which was proficient in finding and pointing game. The Setter breed became widespread during the 17th century, although the evolution of the more specific Setter occured much later. [2]

In 1925, Edward Laverack purchased two dogs named Ponto and Old Moll who became the foundation of the modern breed. He concentrated on developing a dog that was gentle and companionable. A Welshman named R.L. Purcell Llewellin worked to improve the hunting performance of those English Setters by crossing them with Gordon Setters to improve their scenting ability and speed. [1]

Today, there are two types of English Setters. The field and hunting type is called the Llewellin Setter; these dogs are smaller with a broader head and much less hair. They have strong hunting instincts and need a lot of exercise to prevent them from developing behavioral problems. The other Setters are the ones that are bred for bench or show; these dogs are tall, with a long narrow head and have plenty of silky hair which needs a lot of brushing. They are more laid-back and are just content with taking short walks and occasionally participate in games. [3]