English Setter

The English Setter is a medium sized dog originated in England.  English hunters wanted the perfect bird dog and a companion.  So around three hundred years ago, they combined the Spanish Spaniel, the Water Spaniel, and the Springer Spaniel, developing a dog proficient at hunting for game.  English Setters find prey by seeking the airborne scent of the birds.

The English Setter has an elegant appearance and has long silky luxurious coat called feathering on the outside of the ears, neck, chest, down the back of the front legs, under the belly, on the back legs and the tail.  The long, feathered coat requires regular grooming and should be brushed every two days.

Such soulful eyes!

Don't English Setters look like Hozier?  I love him and maybe that's why I love English Setters too!

This beautiful dog has color patterns on their coat known as the Belton markings, for the town of Belton, England.  Belton comes in orange, blue, lemon, liver and tri colored varieties.  But English Setters are all born with white coats, like the Dalmatians.

Orange belton

Blue belton

Lemon belton

Liver belton

Tri colored belton

English Setters can adapt to most home environments but they need plenty of exercise.  They are energetic, people-oriented dogs that are well suited to families who can give them attention and activity.  They have great temperament but their stubbornness might challenge obedience trainers as they can be strong-willed and mischievous.

There are a few congenital conditions to watch out for in English Setters, as they can be prone to hip dysplasia and deafness.  But, they are relatively healthy dogs that will usually live up to 12 years.