All the Setter dog breeds are part of the sporting dog group and the best known as the English setter, the Gordon setter and the Irish setter. These famous types of setters that are readily available in the U.S. trace their origins to the British Isles where their history goes back to the 1600’s.

The term setter comes from the dog’s action in the field where is “sets” its body in a rigid stance when it detects game in the field like a pointer dog does. Setters and pointers alike exhibit great self-discipline in the field when they locate game for their human hunting companions.

In addition to being excellent hunting dogs, all the setter dog breeds are happy, playful family dog well-suited to romping in the yard or park with the kids. Setters are known to be very energetic and require a great deal of company, activity and exercise.

In general, setters are not well suited to a household where they are left alone most of the day but will make an ideal companion for an active family with someone to play with.

Setters feature a beautiful long glossy coat and of course the Irish setter is well-known for its glossy chestnut red coat. English and Gordon setter still have long coats but shorter than the Irish setter’s. The long coats of a setter translate to more time invested in dog grooming duties.

The Setter dog breeds are fairly large, 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing in at 45 to 80 pounds depending on gender. Even though they are large dogs, the playful easy-going temperament that makes them ideal family pets means that they are not good guardian or watch dogs.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) describes the setter as having a “rollicking” personality. While Irish setters are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States, anyone who acquires one must be prepared to handle the exuberant personality of this highly sociable breed and be willing to provide the play and exercise time this breed requires.

In order to assure getting a quality setter, obtain your setter dog breed puppy from a reputable breeder who understands how to raise this active dog in the early formative weeks of its life.

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