English Setter

[Troy]

The English Setter

ANKC Standard

(from http://www.ankc.org.au/home/breeds_details.asp?bid=80 )

Group: Group 3 (Gundogs)

General Appearance: Of medium height, clean in outline, elegant in appearance and movement.

Characteristics: Very active with a keen game sense.

Temperament: Intensely friendly and good natured.

Head And Skull: Head carried high, long and reasonably lean, with well defined stop. Skull oval from ear to ear, showing plenty of brain room, a well-defined occipital protuberance. Muzzle moderately deep and fairly square, from stop to point of nose should equal length of skull from occiput to eyes, nostrils wide and jaws of nearly equal length, flews not too pendulous; colour of nose black or liver, according to colour of coat.

Eyes: Bright, mild and expressive. Colour ranging between hazel and dark brown, the darker the better. In liver beltons only, a lighter eye acceptable. Eyes oval and not protruding.

Ears: Moderate length, set on low, and hanging in neat folds close to cheek, tip velvety, upper part clothed in fine silky hair.

Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full dentition desirable.

Neck: Rather long, muscular and lean, slightly arched at crest, and clean cut where it joins head, towards shoulder larger and very muscular never throaty nor pendulous below throat, but elegant in appearance.

Forequarters: Shoulders well set back or oblique, chest deep in brisket, very good depth and width between shoulder blades, forearms straight and very muscular with rounded bone, elbows well let down close to body, pasterns short, strong, round and straight.

Body: Moderate length, back short and level with good round widely-sprung ribs and deep in back ribs, i.e. Well ribbed up.

Hindquarters: Loins wide, slightly arched, strong and muscular, legs well muscled including second thigh, stifles well bent and thighs long from hip to hock, hock inclining neither in nor out and well let down. FEET - Well padded, tight, with close well arched toes protected by hair between them.

Feet: Not Specified.

Tail: Set almost in line with back, medium length, not reaching below hock, neither curly nor ropy, slightly curved or scimitar-shaped but with no tendency to turn upwards: flag or feathers hanging in long pendant flakes. Feather commencing slightly below the root, and increasing in length towards middle, then gradually tapering towards end, hair long bright, soft and silky wavy but not curly. Lively and slashing in movement and carried in a plane not higher than level of back.

Gait/Movement: Free and graceful action, suggesting speed and endurance. Free movement of the hock showing powerful drive from hindquarters. Viewed from rear, hip, stifle and hock joints in line. Head naturally high.

Coat: From back of head in line with ears slightly wavy, not curly, long and silky as is coat generally, breeches and forelegs nearly down to feet well feathered.

Colour: Black and white (blue belton), orange and white (orange belton), lemon and white (lemon belton), liver and white (liver belton) or tricolour, that is blue belton and tan or liver belton and tan, those without heavy patches of colour on body but flecked (belton) all over preferred.

Sizes: Height: Dogs 65-69 cms (25.5-27 ins)

Bitches 61-65 cms (24-25.5 ins)

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog�s ability to perform its traditional work.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

See Photos of the English Setter

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

3. How common is it in Australia?

4. What is the average lifespan?

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

9. How much grooming is required?

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

If you wish to contribute to the knowledge about this breed, please answer the above questions. (Copy and paste them into a new post).

• Please only answer if you breed or own a pedigree example of this breed.
  
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• Please keep posts limited to answering questions or for asking further questions if you require more (or expanded) information.
  

See Photos of the English Setter

English Setter Breeders

English Setter Puppies For Sale

[SparkyTansy]

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

Owned and showed one since 2002 - now have two special boys, 7 and 3.

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

Breed was developed in England... but the early references I have copied from Faolmor for the Irish setter, as all the breeds were developed once they hit britain's shores differently

One of the first references to the 'Setter,' or setting dog, in literature can be found in Caius's De Canibus Britannicus, which was published in 1570 (with a revised version published in 1576.) Translated from the original Latin, the text reads: The Dogge called the Setter, in Latine, Index: Another sort of Dogges be there, serviceable for fowling, making no noise either with foote or with tongue, whiles they follow the game. They attend diligently upon theyr Master and frame their condition to such beckes, motions and gestures, as it shall please him to exhibite and make, either going forward, drawing backeward, inclinding to the right hand, or yealding toward the left. When he hath founde the byrde, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he stayeth his steppes and wil proceede no further, and weth a close, covert watching eye, layeth his belly to the grounde and so creepth forward like a worme. When he approaches neere to the place where the byrde is, he layes him downe, and with a marcke of his pawes, betrayeth the place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is supposed that this kind of dogge is calles in Index, Setter, being in deede a name most consonant and agreeable to his quality." [3]

however, the English Setter breed we see today was developed by a man named Edward Laverack using two dogs named Ponto and Old Moll of whom he purchased from Rev Harrison, who had been breeding the line for 35 years and there is claims that Ponto and Old Moll were the best he ever bred... The term "Belton" to describe the particular colouring/markings on the English Setter which is a name that has stuck today, was used around this time. Laverack published a book in 1972 which is still around today, this was considered to be THE book on the breed and was the basis for the creation of the English Setter Standard.

The bench setter, or the setter we see in the show ring, is known as the laverack setter, which is of distinctly different type of a strain commonly known as the Llewellin type, developed by Mr Purcell-Llewellin in the latter half of the nineteenth century, which is a type which was purely focused upon field ability, whereas Laverack wanted both field ability and beauty in the field.

This Link is a fantastic source on the history of both the Laverack and Llewellin types.

3. How common is it in Australia?

Not overly common, and never as popular as it's cousin, the Irish Setter.

4. What is the average lifespan?

Around 12 years.

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

They are known as a Gentleman by Nature... and that they are. Softer and more gentle than their Irish and Gordon setter cousins. They can be lazy and laid back and most of their exuberance happens in their early years, and they do grow up a lot quicker than the eternally young Irish setter. they cannot be easy to work, being that they usually look for a reason why they should bother, and if they can't find one, they simply dont bother... of course, it varies from dog to dog, and some dogs will be excellent in certain disciplines. My older boy was smart and food motivated, and was excellent at obedience... my youngest showed a tendancy towards birds and setting from an early age, of course this was only extended to sight setting - he hasn't had the chance to air scent and nor am i sure he would! yet, many setters show a tendency towards birds at an early age which if nurtured, can have them working for it if desired. if not nurtured, it can often switch off.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

Many would say that they are fairly high energy, and they may well be, but I got two fairly low energy setters, if that is the case, because they can take or leave exercise. Once they both hit about 18 months, they were very easy to live with, had little tendancy to be naughty and were happy with a daily walk of about 30 minutes. I could never trust either of them off lead to have a reliable recall, so mostly they do not go off lead. They do not often chase a ball but some of them do show this tendancy, but they were not originally bred to retrieve, and perhaps in some, this instinct to watch the item but not retrieve it has been retained!

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

They are not easy puppies - like many gundogs, they will test the boundaries again and again. Destruction was at it's highest between 6-12 months (and in my case i lost many items including hoses, reticulation, grass, dog beds the list goes on). I think that you must be prepared to cope with that, you must acceptthat it will happen... they are not an easy first dog - they are not always biddable like other breeds such as a goldy or lab, and seem to have that "what's in it for me" attitude towards most things. However, they are the most loving, gentle and sweet natured dogs, and like a fine wine, only get better with age.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

yes and no... once they settle down, yes they most certainly can, but for the early part of their life, they can be incredibly destructive. They do prefer company although not necessarily for play, but mostly just for companionship. however, like most gundogs and particularly most setters, they should be with you when you are home... they like to be involved in everything you do (I have one who likes to follow the broom and "help" by sitting in the dirt pile and wagging his tail )

9. How much grooming is required?

Depending on coat type, they can be quite easy to maintain, or difficult. a weekly brush would suffice, and showdogs would require a lot more in the way of grooming and preparation for the ring. One thing I have found out about is the dreaded "spay coat" which setters suffer - the hair goes fine and whispy and matts and knots a lot more. Many people keep their pets feathering short which can keep it under control... NEVER, EVER clip the topcoat of a setter. The fine hair on the ears should be brushed and checked regularly, and the feathering between their toes trimmed regularly.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

English Setters are excellent family dogs - gentle and calm around children - particularly when brought up with them... they seem to have a natural affinity with children. their lack of rambunctious behaviour renders them quite trustworthy not to knock anyone over, but they can be strong, and strong willed, so firm leadership so that they understand boundaries is a must.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

English Setters are probably most commonly known to suffer from skin problems, although this is less common that it was say 20 years ago, it will crop up now and then. they seem to have sensitive stomachs as well, although not sure if these two things are related, and of course, this isn't every dog.

Other hereditary problems which are tested for are of course Hip Dysplasia, and Deafness. Both are not overly common, but again can crop up. There are many setters our there who may not have been diagnosed with deafness or partial deafness simply because they do not give it away, but it does happen.

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

As per the above, the breeder should hip score, and their score should be less that 19.35 (Ithink the breed average wasthat in 2006 - may be less now). BAER (ear testing) of pups could also be done although this is not done as much in australia but is a common practise in the US. Skin problems are difficult to track and unfortunately not all breeders are forthcoming when it comes to the history of their lines, or simply that they might not be aware of any pets who suffered from it...

and a photo... i hope it is the right pic!

Edited August 31, 2009 by SparkyTansy