English Setter
Puppy
Fully Grown
As its name suggests, this mid-sized dog originated in England and was used by the Royal family for hunting and flushing out ducks and other wild birds. They are elegant looking and very high-energy dogs. They seem boisterous as they sometimes find it hard to contain their energy and excitement.
This breed is a friendly, gentle and well-adjusted family dog that adores children. It seems like they will never grow up or chill out as they always want to play. Even in older age they don’t seem to lose their playful spark.
English Setters are cuddly, social dogs and adjust well to any new environment. But you should never underestimate their hunting instincts…once they spot a duck they will make you aware of it by sitting or lying down but split seconds later they will be off in chase. Starting training early is important to control their drive to chase prey, but you should also allow them to be off lead sometimes to use up their energy.
The English Setter’s endurance for playing, running and romping around is endless. Running and chasing a ball at the park is the best way to release their energy. These dogs are not suitable for a city apartment, as they need space to run and rumble.
Their coat is soft like silk and a bit wavy; it does require looking after to keep silky soft, and brushing regularly is important to avoid matting.
| Weight: | 29-36 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 10-12 years |
| Coat: | Long |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | high |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your English Setter from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding an English Setter to adopt:
To help your rescued English Setter to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your English Setter from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
