Let's talk about the English Setter, a dog well known to all breed enthusiasts. Starting from its origins, we trace its journey right up to the present day; we describe its physical appearance and character with the help of the official breed standard of the Llewellin Setter.
Origins and History of the Breed
As early as 1550, the English Setter was used by the Earl of Leicester on his hunting expeditions, and for a long time it was prized for its hunting abilities. What attracted Sir Edward Laverack in the 1800s was instead its characteristic way of crouching and creeping towards the prey before pointing. Laverack at the time lived with a very wealthy uncle, a well-known industrialist from Manchester, from whom he inherited an impressive fortune a few years later. At that point, free to choose, Laverack decided to leave the city and move to the countryside to establish a dog kennel; in 1825 he purchased his first two setters, Old Moll and Ponto, and shortly afterwards two more.
The four dogs, however, proved to be poor breeders and excessively exuberant. It was then that Llewellin, a colleague and friend of Laverack, attempted to correct these faults by crossing the dogs with other setters, including the Irish Setter and the Black and Tan Setter. In 1865, success at various field trials came to consecrate the breed — a success that reached Italy somewhat later. In our country, the English Setter was not widely appreciated at the time, because a hunting dog was expected, by the standards of the day, to be far more rugged and far less focused on physical appearance. It was not until 1881 that the first Italian specimen appeared at an exhibition in Milan, and in 1920 the first official kennel was finally founded, propelling the breed to a success that has grown unstoppably ever since and shows no sign of fading to this day.
English Setter Breed Standard
The English Setter, a medium-sized dog, is considered the most elegant of all pointing dogs, boasting a bearing and, above all, a gracefully phlegmatic and slightly self-centred demeanour. An adult male reaches a maximum height of 68 cm at the withers, with a weight not exceeding 30 kg. Its overall build could be inscribed within a square, though the trunk is rectangular, straight and sturdy through to the loins, which are strong and arched. The chest is very deep and not excessively wide, covered by well-developed muscles and well supported.
Characteristics of the English Setter
The neck is of good length and ample circumference, made distinctive by the regal way in which it is carried. The head is long and lean, not very wide between the ears, with a slightly domed skull. The stop is defined but not abrupt; the muzzle is long, moderately fine and straight. The nose is well proportioned and black. The eyes are large and walnut-shaped, dark hazel in colour, slightly lighter in orange-and-white individuals. The ears are set low, triangular in shape with a slightly rounded tip. They are carried folded to the sides of the head but not flat against the skull.
The legs are slender and perfectly perpendicular to the ground. The muscles are firm and well wrapped around the thighs. The gait is free and harmonious, at times unhurried. The tail has a high set and a very broad base, and is carried low in a scythe-like curve. The coat consists of a dense undercoat in the winter season and a fine, silky-to-the-touch outer coat. The coat length is 5–6 cm, slightly wavy and fringed at the neck, legs, tail and chest. The colours officially recognised by the standard are orange and white, black and white, and brown and white, as well as tricolour.
Care of the Llewellin Setter: Nutrition
The English Setter's health is generally good, though particular attention should be paid to the ears, which are prone to congenital deafness and often trap foreign bodies; the thyroid should also be checked regularly. The coat needs to be pampered and brushed frequently and carefully to keep it very clean. Its diet should be of good quality and varied in nutrients, yet straightforward overall.
Temperament of the English Setter
We have said that the English Setter is an excellent pointing dog, a hunter truly unique in its kind. But beyond that, it is so much more. It is, in fact, a perfect companion dog — cheerful and affectionate with its whole family, and devotedly bonded to its owner. It relates wonderfully with children, never loses patience and shows no aggression whatsoever.
Its sometimes overly thoughtful attitude makes it genuinely a little endearing and funny — and perhaps that is precisely why it is also used, hard as it may be to imagine, as a show dog. Its training must be consistent and coherent, grounded in good manners, respect and socialisation.
Breeders and Price
The Llewellin Setter is a dog that adapts well to almost any situation — it thrives both indoors and outdoors, loves walks, an active lifestyle and plenty of affection, but absolutely dislikes being left alone. It is therefore not the right dog for those who have very little time to dedicate to it, for those without access to outdoor spaces, or for those who lack the patience to keep up with it. In Italy it is very widespread; a puppy can cost between €400 and €600, provided it is a purebred English Setter with a pedigree to prove it, as well as all health certificates in order.
