by Judy Evans

Created on: November 12, 2008

The English Setter belongs to the Sporting Group of dogs and is one the oldest gundog breeds around. In 1878, English Setters were among the first breeds accepted by the American Kennel Club and the very first dog registered was an English Setter.

Today the English Setter is of medium size, very sound, with a distinctive coat and abundant good nature. Most sources include the Spanish Pointer, Water Spaniel and Springer Spaniel in the background of the English Setter. Whatever the proportions of each breed, the outcome has been a proficient bird dog who excels at his work.

The word "Setter" comes from the way they crouch low or "set" when finding a bird. Back in the fourteenth century, Setting Spaniels were used by hunters and through selective breeding, mainly by Edward Laverack and Purcell Llewellin, during the 18th and 19th centuries a taller dog was produced. Genetic purity and good looks are hallmarks of the Laverack lines while Llewellin concentrated on breeding dogs that would be efficient and dependable in the field.

So, the English Setter has evolved into two types field and show. Dogs used in the field are mainly smaller with a shorter coat and less feathering (so less maintenance after a day working through rough country looking for partridge, grouse and quail) and more distinctive spotting (all the better to see him with!)

His distinctive spotted or ticked coat goes by the name of "belton". Variations include white with black flecks (blue belton), white with orange (orange belton), white with orange and a lighter coloured nose (lemon belton), white with liver (liver belton) and tricolor which is blue-or liver-belton with tan markings on face, legs and chest. For showing, all over flecking is favoured over larger patches of colour.

The length of the flat, straight (or, at most, slightly wavy) coat varies according to the type as does the amount of feather. The show dog should have long silky hair on the ears, tail and legs. Long hair is subject to picking up foreign objects and to tangling and matting so English Setters should be bathed and thoroughly groomed regularly. Show dogs may benefit from judicious trimming and clipping.

Check the hair around the feet and keep the toenails clipped.

The shorter coat of the hunting dog requires less grooming but he should be checked even more thoroughly for debris and burrs. Any foreign "bits" that get trapped against the skin will irritate and may lead to skin problems, infection or itching. Infestations of parasites

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