Gun Dog Breeders: English Setter Facts

The English setter is one of the world's oldest gun dogs, and its history of hunting beside man can be traced back to the 14th century through its forerunning breeds.

Here are seven facts about the English setter.

1. The origins of the English setters can be traced back to the crossing of the Spanish pointer, large water spaniel, and springer spaniel, the American Kennel Club said. The mixture made the breed highly proficient in finding and pointing game.

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2. The English Setter Association of America said Edward Laverack and R. Purcell Llewellin can be credited with the modern English setter. Laverack created his own strain of the breed with careful inbreeding during the 19th century in England, while Llewellin created his strain upon Laverack's and developed the working setter.

3. The English setter got its name for the habit of "setting," or crouching low, when the dog found birds, wrote DogTime.com. That allowed hunters to follow and capture the resting birds with a net before they could fly away. When hunters started using guns, English setters were taught to stand pointer style.

4. The average male English setter will grow to stand about 25 inches high at the shoulder and weight from 60 to 65 pounds, while the female will run a little shorter and lighter, 24 inches and weigh in from 50 to 55 pounds, according to Animal Planet.


5. The word "belton" is used to describe the English setter's colorful speckled patterns on its white coat, the AKC said. The belton, a term unique to the English setter, comes in colors described as liver, lemon, and orange.

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6. DogTime.com wrote that the English setter's athletic ability makes it the ideal dog for outdoor activities and rallies. The website said the breed would make good therapy dogs because of its pleasant disposition around people.

7. Despite the constant confusion, the English setter is a separate breed from the Gordon setter and Irish setter, the AKC said. There is a popular belief that the three vary only in color.

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