English Setter

It is likely that setters descend from the ancient spaniel, also called quail pointer or bird dog. It was not until 1825 that Edward Laverack began a selective breeding program to stabilize the type of setters in England. Breeder Purcell Llewellin succeeded him and continued the work to develop the breed whose performance would be as good in the field as in competitions. The breed was established in England by Edward Laverack (born in 1798 and died in 1877) around 1860. It arrived in France around 1880, with the conformity of the standard currently cultivated on the European continent. The English Setter is the most used pointing dog breed in France (in 2009, 6,655 births, 6,268 provisional registrations with the LOF and 2,606 confirmations) and represents more than half of the workforce of selection events in field trials. In France, the herd is managed by the English Setter Club. The beauty of the breed is highly appreciated and some breeders, particularly in England, have formed show lines based on the aesthetic qualities of the breed and hunting lines based on hunting qualities.

The FCI standard of the English Setter describes it as a very active dog with a keen sense of hunting and extremely friendly. He is joyful, attached to his master, good with children and other dogs. Education must be rigorous and firm. The English Setter can be suspicious or even fearful if poorly socialized.

The English Setter is a pointing dog of medium size, compact and well built, harmonious. The English Setter measures 65 to 68 cm for the male and 61 to 65 cm for the female. The tail is attached almost at the level of the back, it is supplied with long hair fringed as a flag. Of medium length, it does not exceed the hock and is carried slightly curved or saber-like. The head, neither heavy nor light, is expressive with oval-shaped eyes and hazelnut to dark brown in color. Of medium length and attached low, the ears fall against the cheeks forming well-drawn folds. The coat is supple and flat, fringed at the ears, on the chest, legs and tail. There are five coat colors: black and white (blue belton), orange and white (orange belton), lemon and white (lemon belton), brown and white (liver belton) and tricolor. In 2000 the French English Setter Club adopts a new standard, which is not validated and not recognized by the FCI: