Lily’s Second Chance

English Setter Guide: Temperament, Size, Grooming and Adoption

English Setter overview

The American Kennel Club places the English Setter in the Sporting Group and lists England as its origin. The United Kennel Club describes it as a clean-lined, elegant gun dog that balances strength, stamina and grace.

Where does the English Setter come from?

The United Kennel Club traces the modern breed largely to Edward Laverack, who acquired his foundation setters in a particular year in the early nineteenth century and went on to breed a famous line. Show dogs today descend mainly from Laverack's stock, while field dogs descend from the stock of Purcell Llewellin. VCA notes that field setters tend to be smaller and carry less hair than show setters.

English Setter size and weight

The American Kennel Club places the English Setter in the medium size category. For height, the American Kennel Club gives 25-27 inches for males and 23-25 inches for females, while the United Kennel Club gives about 25 inches for males and about 24 inches for females. For weight, the American Kennel Club gives 65-80 pounds for males and 45-55 pounds for females, while the United Kennel Club gives 55 to 70 pounds for males and 50 to 60 pounds for females. The United Kennel Club adds that its standard allows for smaller, lighter field-type setters.

English Setter temperament and personality: are English Setters good family dogs?

The American Kennel Club describes the English Setter's temperament as friendly, mellow and merry. The United Kennel Club describes a people-oriented, affectionate and friendly disposition without shyness or fear. The American Kennel Club rates family affection at 5 of 5, and child compatibility and dog compatibility at 4 of 5 each, which suggests many English Setters fit well in family homes. VCA reports that the breed tends to get along well with other pets and dogs, and makes a good watchdog but a poor protection dog.

Exercise needs

VCA says the breed needs daily exercise such as a long walk, jog or energetic games. With enough exercise, it tends to be a calm housedog.

English Setter grooming and shedding: do English Setters shed a lot?

The American Kennel Club lists the coat as medium, silky and double, and rates both shedding and grooming frequency at 3 of 5, a middle level. VCA describes the coat as fairly long and silky, and says it needs brushing and combing a few times each week so that mats do not form. VCA adds that some clipping and trimming is needed every month.

Training

VCA says the breed does best with reward-based training that uses food, and that obedience training provides useful mental exercise. The American Kennel Club rates trainability at 4 of 5.

English Setter lifespan and health: how long do English Setters live?

The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 12 years for the English Setter. VCA notes that English setters tend to be eager eaters and some may gain too much weight, so ask a veterinarian about diet.

Considering English Setter rescue dogs

Dogs shown through Lily's Second Chance are in the care of other organizations, so ask the listing organization about an individual dog's history and health. Because show-type and field-type setters differ in size and coat, ask which type a dog resembles.

AKC breed facts

These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the English Setter as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.

AKC group
Sporting Group
AKC recognition year
1878
Height (AKC published)
25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
Weight (AKC published)
65-80 pounds (male), 45-55 pounds (female)
General life expectancy
12 years
AKC size category
Medium

AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)

  • Energy: 3 of 5
  • Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
  • Trainability: 4 of 5
  • Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
  • Shedding: 3 of 5
  • Vocalization: 3 of 5
  • Drooling: 3 of 5
  • Adaptability: 4 of 5
  • Playfulness: 4 of 5
  • Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
  • Affection toward family: 5 of 5
  • Openness toward strangers: 4 of 5
  • AKC child compatibility rating: 4 of 5
  • AKC dog compatibility rating: 4 of 5

Health screenings AKC lists for the breed

Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.

  • Hip Evaluation
  • Elbow Evaluation
  • Thyroid Evaluation
  • BAER Testing

Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).

Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.

References

Senior English Setter dogs looking for homes

Each dog is listed by the shelter or rescue named on the card. Please confirm availability with them.