Characteristics of the Setter
Origins
Morphology
Psychology
Cure
Types of Setter

Characteristics of the Setter

The Setter is considered a pointing and retriever dog . The term “Setter” in fact indicates the position of partial sitting when sighting the prey.

Used for hunting birds, such as quail, pheasants and various types of game, it has become a companion dog , thanks to its balanced character and affectionate nature. The setter is an elegant dog, very “British” both for origins and for presence. There are various declensions of setters: the English one, the Scottish setter, the Irish setter. 

Origins of the Setter

The Setter is one of the hunting dog breeds with the most history behind it , so much so that it dates back to the early decades of the 1300s. It comes to the present day after a careful selection, but among its origins there are ancestors belonging to the Spanish Bracco and more generally variety of Spaniels . In the early 1800s, the Setter was introduced to British territory by Sir Laverack , who selected it to obtain a hunting dog, the English Setter. 

Morphology of the Setter

The Setter is a medium-sized dog , the male can weigh about 35 kg, the female 30. The height at the withers between 66 and 68 cm , connotes him as a slender, thin, harmonious in form, very energetic dog. Its coat is characterized by long and smooth hair , the color of which can vary from white with orange, yellow, brown, or blue / black flecks.

Some specimens may be tricolor black / blue, white and brown . The ears, tail and legs are covered with a long fringe. Typical characteristic of the setters are the long, drooping ears and the large expressive hazel eyes.

Psychology of the Setter

The Setter is a very active dog , but with an extremely balanced character. He is very sociable and affectionate . Tied to the whole family, ideal for children, it spreads a spirit of protection to all its members, loves to play and be outdoors , but it also adapts easily to closed places, as long as it can take long walks at least once a day.

Cure of the Setter

Long hair needs care : weekly brushing is recommended to avoid the formation of knots. 
The diet must be taken care of, well balanced according to the degree of physical activity of the setter, for the right energy intake and to avoid the risk of overweight. 

Types of setters:

In addition to the typical English Setter there are more specific variants such as the Irish Setter and the Scottish Setter.

• Irish Setter : its characteristic is the coat with a shiny tawny fur and fringed over the entire length, except for the head. It is very elegant, with an elongated muzzle and thin triangular ears. It is very resistant and can reach 15 years of age. 
• Scottish Setter or Gordon Setter : the name is due to the dukes of Richmond Gordon who were the breeders of this breed. The physical structure is more massive than the English setter, because he was selected for racing. The hair is long and silky of an anthracite black color with red-chestnut markings. Of docile character, it is easily trainable and is also used for dog agility activities.