Is the English Setter a good family dog?

English Setters are known for being friendly, mellow, merry. They are generally considered adaptable with children. As with all breeds, supervised interaction with young children is recommended.

How much exercise does a English Setter need daily?

English Setters are an active breed and need at least 1–2 hours of vigorous exercise daily, plus mental enrichment to prevent boredom.

Large breed Active energy Silky coat Sporting Group

English Setter

Friendly, Mellow, Merry

English Setters are elegant but solid dogs of beauty and charm. The word “belton,” unique to the breed, describes the speckled coat patterns of colors that sound good enough to eat: liver, lemon, and orange among them. Under the showy coat is a well-balanced hunter standing about…

⚖️ 45–80 lbs 📏 23–27" 🎂 12–12 years 🧠 Intelligence #37 — average

Estimate English Setter costs Find English Setter names

Energy

80%

Shedding

80%

Trainability

80%

Grooming

60%

Friendliness

80%

Coat Type

Silky coat 2-3 Times a Week Brushing

🧠 #37

Intelligence

🎂 11.6yr

Average lifespan

💰 $20K

Lifetime cost

🍖 $466/yr

Annual food estimate

👨‍👩‍👧 Great

With kids

🩺 2

Known conditions

Known genetic concerns: deafness, hip problems

English Setter food & nutrition tools

Chef Paw (US) · Appliances

ChefPaw Dog Food Maker

Revolutionary countertop pet food maker, simplifying the process of crafting fresh and highly-nutrit…

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English Setter training & walking gear

🐾

JugBow · Training

JugBow No-Pull Training Harness

Dual-clip training harness with front and back D-rings. Reflective stitching, padded chest plate, an…

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For English Setter owners

Crown and Paw · Gifts

The Veteran - Custom Pet Canvas

Premium 8" x 10" custom pet canvas. Turn your pet into a legendary military veteran.

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Needs 60-90 minutes active exercise daily; thrives with a job or sport.

Heavy shedder — brush 3-4× per week and deShed weekly to manage coat.

Brush 2-3× weekly to maintain coat condition and reduce shedding around the home.

Recommended for experienced owners — higher owner difficulty rating of 8/10.
Better suited to homes with outdoor space — this large needs room to move.
A friendly temperament can make this breed a reliable companion for the right household.
Working heritage means structured activity matters — under-stimulation can lead to problem behaviors.