Dubbed as an elegant sporting breed, the English Setter is one of the prime breeds that are being used as a gun dog that efficiently points and retrieve bird games. This dog is in the same family as the Irish Red and White Setters, Irish Setters, and Gordon Setters. The term “setter” is used to describe the dog’s almost sitting position when it has found a game.

This dog has flat, smooth and slightly wavy coat that drapes its body all over. This coat is mostly found speckled with a different color and this combination is referred to as a “belton”. There are several beltons for this breed and they are the blue belton (white with black specks), orange belton (white with orange specks), lemon belton (white with orange flecks and nose is light), liver belton (white with liver flecks) and tricolor (blue or liver belton with tan markings on face, chest and legs).

The long hair of this dog covers its pendant ears, legs and tail like a fringe. Its velvety coat wraps around its body to emphasize its slim and elegant body. This coat is just in perfect thickness to allow the dog comfort whether in a cold or humid temperature.

There are two types of the English Setter and these are the bench or show type and the field or hunting type. The show type’s hair is lengthier and requires regular grooming while the hunting type’s coat is shorter and requires a little grooming. This dog needs only to be bathed or dry shampooed when necessary and it is a moderate shedder, too.

The English Setter is a gentle and sweet-natured breed that is excellent especially around children. It loves to please its master; it is calm and friendly that people call him a “gentleman by nature”. This breed is very intelligent and can do tasks that other dogs can perform except maybe herding.

In Stanley Cohen’s The Intelligence of Dogs, this breed ranks 37th and it is proven indeed that the working and obedience ability of this dog is above average. This dog is highly active and should be placed in the care of a family that has active tasks to do as well or better yet, this dog can do very well with a hunter for a master. This dog is suitable to live in a house that has an ample-sized backyard because this dog requires daily jog or brisk walk everyday.

This dog may be highly trainable but it is mischievous and strong-willed at times, too. Never apply harsh criticisms or negative reinforcements in training the English Setter because it is highly sensitive. It is best to reinforce this dog with positive remarks only or else, it will refrain from doing tasks for fear of displeasing the master.

The English Setter is said to have come from 15th century France and came only to England in the 18th century. This dog originated from the crosses of the Spanish Pointer, Water Spaniel (large) and Springer Spaniel. There are two beautiful varieties of the English Setter today namely the Llewellin and Laverack, thanks to the two different fanciers named Edward Laverack and Purcell Llewellin.