Breed Characteristics

General Appearance

The English Setter is of medium height, clean in outline and elegant in appearance. It moves with a free and graceful action, suggesting speed and endurance. It is very active with a keen game sense and is intensely friendly and good natured. The temperament is one of the distinguishing features of the breed, making it an excellent family pet. The working English Setter may be proportionally lighter in build.

From the back of the head, in line with the ears, the coat is long, silky and slightly wavy, although not curly. The breeches and forelegs, nearly down to the feet, are well-feathered.

Colour

The most usual colours are white flecked with either black (blue belton), tan (orange belton), or lemon (lemon belton) or white flecked with black and tan (tricolour). In the latter case, the tan markings appear only on the head, neck, chest, forelegs and hindlegs. Liver flecking (liver belton) is also possible, but much less common.

Size

As in most breeds, dogs are bigger than bitches, both in height and weight. Typically, a bitch will grow to 24 - 25½ inches (60 - 65 lbs). A dog will grow to 25½ - 27 inches (70 - 80 lbs). When an adult dog stands on its hind legs, it can easily place its paws on a woman's shoulders or a man's chest.