Overview
English Setters were started during the year 1500 in France. They were created by breeding the French Pointer and Spanish Pointer. Then they were brought into Great Britain. There it was improved by a breeder called Sir Edward Laverack. These English Setters were created during the early 1800s from early French hunting dogs. They weren't used to hunt until Llewellyn, another English breeder, bred a hunting dog strain of English Setters. Currently, they're still gundogs and a popular show breed as well.
Activity
English Setters are mostly quiet when inside, but they're very energetic and lively if you let them roam off on their own. They require at least 2 hours of exercise daily and need at least a fenced yard to play. Check for burrs or sticks on their coat after their play session.
Care
Regular brushing is needed if your English Setter's coat is going to stay healthy. Their coat's feathering tends to pick up burrs so this should be checked frequently. Any English Setters that are going to be shown need to be groomed 2 or 3 times weekly in long brushing sessions and coat cleaning. It's best to use dry shampooing to preserve the coat's natural oils. Show English Setters usually have heavier and longer coats than a field Setter.
Character
The English Setter breed is quite gentle with an engaging personality. They can also be stubborn so their owners and/or handlers much must be experienced since this is a breed sensitive to the sound of voices. As long as they get the proper training, environment and socialization, this is a breed that makes excellent companions. They have strong pointing instincts and fit in better with homes where there's a job for him to do regularly. English Setters are great hunting companions.
Coat
English Setters have a medium length flat coat that shouldn't ever be curly. Their chest, ears, belly, and tail should have feathered and soft hair. Remaining hair should lie close and short. English Setters used for showing typically sport a much heavier and longer coat than field Setters, which needs a lot more grooming.
Temperament
English Setters are mild mannered and enthusiastic so they fit in well with families that have children. They love barking and are excellent alert or watch dogs. Don't trust them around animals smaller and more passive than they are but they're fine with animals such as other dogs and cats as long as they've been properly socialized. This breed learns quickly and loves human attention. They need a lot of it or they get destructive and tyrannical.
Training
It can be hard to housebreak English Setters but they do want to please their owners. As long as the right handling and methods are used, English Setters learn quickly. They should have obedience classes very early in life. These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement but need to be corrected in a soft and gentle manner as they're quite sensitive and harsh punishment might take away their sweet temperament.