The Setter

The origin of the Setter breed dates from latest middle age years in France.

In fact, the true origin is not well known. Laverack said in his book "The Setter" that is just an improved spaniel. The setter already existed before pointers in England, so setters couldn't be bred with pointer genetics, as some assure.

When they were brought to England, the different kind of setters borned: the Welsh or LLandidloes Setter, the Anglesea Setter, the Irish, White and Red Setter, the Scotish or Gordon Setter, the Ossulton Setter, etc...

Nowadays English Setter was borned in 19th century thanks to the efforts of the english Edward Laverack (1789-1877), keen on hunting, who bred setters for longer than half a century by an inbreeding technique from a pair borned in 1825. In 1874 he published the English Setter breed standards book.


There are different kind of setter:

- English setter: we can find the beauty line which is bigger with longer hair, and the work line called English Setter Llewellin which is a bit smaller but really similar in the rest. Colours: Belton Blue, Orange Belton, Lemon and Tricolour (black, white and orange).

TRICOLOUR ENGLISH SETTER

BELTON ORANGE ENGLISH SETTER

BLUE BELTON ENGLISH SETTER

- Irish Setter: Coming from Irland, they have an amazing fur, completely red. the Irish Setter is one of the most beautiful dogs on Earth (as their brothers English and Gordon setters)

- Gordon Setter: Coming from Scotland, their fur is dark, completely black with two fire spots above eyes and chest. It's a beautiful dog very typical in this area in England.

SETTER'S CHARACTERISTICS:

The Setter could be called "the lord among the lords", not only because they are friendly, calmed and with a great mood, but also because of their beauty. Is important to notice that setters always claim for company and don't enjoy being alone. In a few words, The Setter is a true lord and a loyal friend.

Personality: This friendly and kindhearted partner is active and euphoric at home at first, but they quickly calm down when realizing the conforts of the house, enjoying to lay in the sofa if not taught to stop doing it. They love their family and staying at home with kids and persons. To understand their behaviour we must think in the past and what they were bred for. Setters were bred to work by day in the countryside and rest at night in his owner's feet. This doesn't make them a one owner dog as they adore visitors and enjoy the most being with kids, always willing to start playing. Setters are absolutely trustable dogs with children and there is no need for owners to fear any problem. A setter must not show any kind of agressive behaviour towards people or other dogs.

Regarding to obedience training, their nature makes them go a step forward. English setter uses to be less nervous than Irish and Gordon setters in this aspect.

Physique characteristics:

The Setter is a quite burly dog, bigger than other breeds but still not as tall and heavy as many others. With its remarkable stylishness, setters still maintain similar to their ancestors and such a constitution makes this breed unique and successful in its commitment. When moving, they must cover terrain with grace and elegance and a strong boost in backward paws.

The essence of this breed is in the head and their tender and kind expression without a sign of weakness. The muzzle is quite square with a moderate depth, although lips should not be droopy. Oval skull from an ear to the other, having space enough for the brain with a well defined occipital bone.

Size: As most breeds, males use to be bigger than females. According to the breed standard, males height is around 65-68 cms and females around 61-65 cms. Although weight is not specified in the breed standard, males weight in average 25-30kgs and females 20-25kgs.

Fur: setter's fur is other attribute that makes them even more appealing. From the neck is wavy but not curly. Setters have long silky fur with gorgeous fringes in every paw and tail.

Genetics have a great influence on their fur quality and quantity, but we must remember that diet, cleanliness and proper cares are fundamental for hair to stay healthy. As happens in other breeds, there might be quality differences depending on the fur colour.

Setter's fur needs cares and attention, so this breed is not suitable for those not willing to spend some time every week on this duty. They mult about twice a year.

Mistreat and abandonement:

This dog, as being considered for many as a hunting work dog, in many cases they end up stray, mistreated, beaten or abandoned to their fates without any food or water. For many setters, hunting means suffering and loneliness, and even some are treated properly, our stats shows that most setters used for hunting have a sad and uncertain future where their kindness and company skills are not an option. If you use a setter for hunting, remember that they are living beings with needs that must be satisfied, loyal friends as no others and don't deserve mistreat at all, whether you are a hunter or not.

Lets look after our "hunting" dogs as they look after us, it's everyones duty of everybody's sake. If you are not able to be responsible among them, please don't have any.

In Spain, the third reason for abandonment is hunting, causing more than ten thousand cases of identified dogs and twice that number taking into consideration unidentified animals.

Lets make aware of hunting dogs being great animals for company and put away from them the burden of hunting and start seeing this fabulous dogs as true home dogs.