meet the...English Setter
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 11: Gun Dog Breeds
Sub-group 11-D: Setters
Origin Country Great Britain
Weight Males: 50-70 pounds. Females: 45-60 pounds.
Height Males: 23-27 inches. Females: 22-26 inches.
Other Name(s) Englischer Setter, Setter Anglais, Setter Ingles, Setters
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
It is believed that the ancestors of modern-day gundogs, including Setters and Pointers, descended from Spanish pointing dogs, or “Spaniels.” These dogs were brought to England centuries ago and used to aid hunters well before firearms were widely used throughout the country for hunting. Since ancient times, these “setting Spaniels” have been used to locate upland game birds before directing bird hunters by “setting” or “pointing” to the bird using specific postures. The ancestral “setting dogges” that are the predecessors of the modern-day English Setter have been documented in England for more than 400 years, making the English Setter the oldest of the Setters and one of the oldest of the gundog breeds. It is believed that the modern-day English Setter came about by breeding English dogs to the ancient Spanish pointing dogs, Water Spaniels, French Spaniels, and ancestors of the modern-day English Spring Spaniels.
Today’s English Setter is often viewed as being divided into show lines and working lines, and their appearances can be dramatically different. The distinctive styles of each can be attributed to two English gentlemen of the mid-1800s: Edward Laverack and Purcell Llewellin. Laverack was interested in producing a handsome dog with long, elegant lines and a flowing coat. These Laverack dogs became the foundation of many of the most famous show lines today, and this type is commonly referred to as the “Show” (or “Bench”) type. Llewellin, on the other hand, was more concerned with performance, so he produced a less-exaggerated dog that reigned supreme in the field. This type became known as the “performance” (or “field”) type, with direct descendants of Llewellin’s dogs being called Llewellin Setters.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Bench/Show: The head is long, lean, rectilinear, and slightly rectangular. It is carried proudly. It should never appear overly narrow or overly broad. The back skull is moderately broad to allow for an oval shape when viewed from above. The occiput is moderately prominent and defined.
Field/Performance: The head is fairly long, with a somewhat broad back skull. It is carried at a comfortable level for a well-constructed field dog. The occiput may be prominent or less conspicuous. The head and face exhibit good substance with sufficient muscle and power to retrieve game birds all day.
Eyes: Bench / Show: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and green, amber, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Bench/Show: Moderate in size and length, set fairly well back and low on the skull, at approximate eye level. They are pendants, hanging flat or in neat folds close to the head. The ears are often somewhat shorter in certain colors, such as orange beltons, as well as in the field types.
Muzzle: Bench / Show: The muzzle is rectangular, full, deep, and broad throughout. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. There should be no evident taper of the muzzle when viewed in profile and only a very slight to almost imperceptible taper toward the muzzle when viewed from above. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipey or weak.
Field / Performance: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipy or weak. The muzzle may remain rectangular without taper when viewed in profile, or the muzzle may taper just slightly toward the nose when viewed in profile or from above.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, liver, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well-opened.
Neck: Bench/Show: Moderately long to allow for proud and high head carriage. Somewhat lean and elegant, yet well-muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap
Field/Performance: Moderate length allows for good head carriage and a wide range of movement. Powerfully muscled with a slight arch, the neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Bench/Show: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. From the front and in profile, the brisket depth is pronounced and somewhat more dramatic in the bench type.
Field/Performance: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: Athletic, enduring, and capable of stamina and endurance. The body is strongly built, deep, and of good substance throughout. It should never appear cloddy and heavy or racy and overly refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Bench/Show: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, often level with the topline, perhaps slightly above or below. When in repose, it is held downward in a neutral position but never tucked. It is never carried up over the back. The tails are left natural and never docked short. The tail is of a fairly long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail is straight, never curved or sickle-shaped.
Field/Performance: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually above the level of the topline, sometimes at the 12 o’clock position. When in repose, they are lowered to a neutral position but never tucked. The tail is left natural and never docked short. The tail is of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved.
Movement: Effortless, efficient, and energetic, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The English Setter breed is an active, lively, intelligent, and energetic breed. They are a very people-oriented breed, thriving on attention and affection. Although these qualities make them wonderfully suited for a companion dog, they can also be very instinctual, especially true for the field type, and must have a “job” and a daily means of releasing pent-up energy—as well as sensory and mental stimulation. Without proper training and exercise, they are known to develop their own ideas about what is acceptable, often getting themselves into trouble. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 11: Gun Dog Breeds
Proportions: Somewhat off-square to slightly rectangular, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal length-to-height ratio is between 5:4 and 10:9. The body is well put together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. Both bench and field types should exhibit a clean outline without exaggeration of any one characteristic.
Bench/Show: The lines appear sleeker and slightly more refined. These dogs appear more elegant than the field type with their somewhat more exaggerated coats and frames. Bred for their ring presence, these dogs tend to be larger than the field type.
Field/Performance: The lines are less sleek and refined, emphasizing endurance and stamina rather than elegance and refinement. They tend to fall on the lighter/smaller end of the size spectrum in comparison to the bench type, although they are by no means ever considered “small” or “light.” Instead, they are designed for endurance and stamina, and large size or excess bulk will only slow them down in the field.
The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Bench/Show: The head is long, lean, rectilinear, and slightly rectangular. It is carried proudly. It should never appear overly narrow or overly broad. The back skull is moderately broad to allow for an oval shape when viewed from above. The occiput is moderately prominent and defined.
Field/Performance: The head is fairly long, with a somewhat broad back skull. It is carried at a comfortable level for a well-constructed field dog. The occiput may be prominent or less conspicuous. The head and face exhibit good substance with sufficient muscle and power to retrieve game birds all day.
Expression: Gentle, friendly, alert, lively, and soft.
Stop: Bench/Show: Well-defined.
Field/Performance: Moderate to well-defined.
Skull: Bench / Show:
The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 1:1, with the topskull being equal to the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Field / Performance:
The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1 and 5:4, with the topskull being equal to, or just longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be just slightly convergent.
Muzzle: Bench / Show: The muzzle is rectangular, full, deep, and broad throughout. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. There should be no evident taper of the muzzle when viewed in profile and only a very slight to almost imperceptible taper toward the muzzle when viewed from above. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipey or weak.
Field / Performance: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, never snipy or weak. The muzzle may remain rectangular without taper when viewed in profile, or the muzzle may taper just slightly toward the nose when viewed in profile or from above.
Lips or Flews: Bench / Show: The lips fit well over the teeth and jaws, with the upper lip extending just to cover the lower plane of the bottom jaw, giving the muzzle the elongated squared appearance. The upper lip should never extend beyond the plane of the bottom jaw. The lips should never be loose, pendulous, or “wet.”
Field / Performance: The lips may appear deep and square (without extending below the plane of the bottom jaw) or may be clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, liver, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: Bench/Show: Flat and smooth.
Field/Performance: Some padding of the cheek is present to denote jaw strength for retrieving capabilities. The cheeks should not appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Bench / Show: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and green, amber, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Bench/Show: Moderate in size and length, set fairly well back and low on the skull, at approximate eye level. They are pendants, hanging flat or in neat folds close to the head. The ears are often somewhat shorter in certain colors, such as orange beltons, as well as in the field types.
Body and Tail
General Description: Athletic, enduring, and capable of stamina and endurance. The body is strongly built, deep, and of good substance throughout. It should never appear cloddy and heavy or racy and overly refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Bench/Show: Moderately long to allow for proud and high head carriage. Somewhat lean and elegant, yet well-muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap
Field/Performance: Moderate length allows for good head carriage and a wide range of movement. Powerfully muscled with a slight arch, the neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Bench/Show: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. From the front and in profile, the brisket depth is pronounced and somewhat more dramatic in the bench type.
Field/Performance: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Bench/Show: Straight and slightly sloped from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is fairly short, broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never elongated, swayed, or roached.
Field/Performance: Straight and level or just slightly sloped from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Bench/Show: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, often level with the topline, perhaps slightly above or below. When in repose, it is held downward in a neutral position but never tucked. It is never carried up over the back. The tails are left natural and never docked short. The tail is of a fairly long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail is straight, never curved or sickle-shaped.
Field/Performance: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually above the level of the topline, sometimes at the 12 o’clock position. When in repose, they are lowered to a neutral position but never tucked. The tail is left natural and never docked short. The tail is of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are fairly long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate (yet sturdy) bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are fairly long, equal in length, strong, moderate (yet sturdy) bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Bench/Show: Single coated, with the coat short on the face, forehead, and front of the forelimbs and hindlimbs, and in some dogs, the tips of the ears. The coat is longer in length on the neck, ears, rear of the forelimbs and hindlimbs (forming breeches), feet, and tail (forming a “flag” or “plume”). The coat is flat to slightly wavy, with a silky, soft texture. The coat should never be abundantly thick or abundantly long. Natural, unclipped, and untrimmed coats are preferred.
Field/Performance: CKC recognizes two coat varieties in the Field/Performance-type English Setter: the Smooth Coat and the Flat-Coat.
Smooth-coat variety: The coat may range from harsh to the touch to soft (yet protective) and weatherproof throughout. It is short, smooth, and close on the head, front of the forelegs and hindlegs, and throughout the body. The coat may be slightly longer on the neck and chest. Fringing may range from slight to moderate on the base of the ears, ear leathers, underline, the underside of the tail, and the back of the front and hind legs. Natural, unclipped, and untrimmed coats are preferred.
Flat-coat variety: The coat may range from harsh to the touch to soft, yet protective and weather-proof throughout. It is short, smooth, and close on the head, front of the forelegs and hindlegs, and somewhat longer and flat or wavy throughout the body, with longer fringing and furnishing on the neck, chest, underline, base of the ears, ear leathers, underside of the tail, and the back of the forelegs and hind legs. Natural, unclipped, and untrimmed coats are preferred.
Coat Color or Pattern: White, black, liver, or black or liver with tan points, orange, or lemon, all in light ticking (nearly clear white with few “ticks”), Belton (ticking), or roan (heavily ticked), described as follows:
Solid white—pure white with no ticking or markings on the head or body.
Clear-white coat with black, black with tan points, liver, liver with tan points, tan, orange, or lemon markings or patches on the head or body.
Blue Belton or roan—moderate to heavy degree of black ticking, giving the coat a “blue” appearance, with or without black (blue) patches or markings on the head or body.
Liver Belton or roan—moderate to a heavy degree of liver ticking, with or without liver patches or markings on the head or body.
Blue tri-Belton or roan—moderate to heavy black with tan points ticking, with or without black with tan point patches or markings on the head or body.
Liver tri-Belton or roan—moderate to a heavy degree of liver with tan points ticking, with or without liver with tan point patches or markings on the head or body.
Orange Belton or roan—moderate to heavy degree of orange ticking, with or without orange patches or markings on the head or body.
Lemon Belton or roan—moderate to heavy degree of lemon, or yellow ticking, with or without lemon patches or markings on the head or body.
Movement
Effortless, efficient, and energetic, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The English Setter breed is an active, lively, intelligent, and energetic breed. They are a very people-oriented breed, thriving on attention and affection. Although these qualities make them wonderfully suited for a companion dog, they can also be very instinctual, especially true for the field type, and must have a “job” and a daily means of releasing pent-up energy—as well as sensory and mental stimulation. Without proper training and exercise, they are known to develop their own ideas about what is acceptable, often getting themselves into trouble. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
