Weight: male: 60-65; female: 50-55 lbs
Height: male: about 25, female: about 24 inches
Color(s): black & white, white & orange, white & lemon, white & chestnut or tricolor. Speckling may be present.
Character: The English Setter is very gentle and has a very endearing personality. This breed can also be willful and experienced handling is a must as this breed can be sensitive to the sound of ones voice. Given the right environment, training, and socialization, this breed will make a wonderful companion. This breed has very strong pointing instincts and does best in a home where he can have a job to do on a regular basis. The English Setter makes an excellent hunting and/or pointing companion.
Temperament: Enthusiastic and mild mannered, English Setters do well in a family environment making a great child's companion. This breed loves to bark and makes a great watch or alert dog. They should not be trusted around smaller and more passive animals, however can do well with other more common animals such as the cat and the dog, given they have had the proper socialization. The English Setter is a very quick learner, however vies for human attention and requires much of it or they can become destructive and somewhat of a tyrant.
Care: The English Setter requires regular brushing if the coat is to stay in good shape. The feathering of the coat should be checked for burrs as they have the tendency to get stuck in the coat. The English Setter that is used for show should be groomed two three times a week with long brushing sessions and regular cleaning of the coat. Dry shampooing is often used so the natural oils are not removed from the beautiful and long coat. The coat of the show English Setter is commonly heavier and longer than that of the field Setter.
Training: The English Setter can be difficult to housebreak, but wants to please their owner. Given the proper handling and techniques, English Setters can learn very quickly. Obedience classes at an early age are recommended. The English Setter does best with positive reinforcement, yet should be corrected in a gentle and soft way as this breed is very sensitive and harsh punishment may destroy their lovely temperament.
Activity: The English Setter is fairly quiet indoors, however is very lively and energetic when allowed to roam off lead. Being that this breed was bred for running all day long, they have infinite energy and love to run which requires at least two hours of exercise daily. The English Setter should have at least a large fenced yard to have free roam and run. Burrs and/or sticks should be removed from the coat if any are present after such a session.
