About The Breed

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The English Setter belongs to the Gun Dog Breed and was initially used for setting (pointing) game long before the invention of the Gun. English Setters were bred in large kennels, up to 400 dogs bred specifically for the land they worked. They never entered general public ownership though were occasionally gifted to a local vicar.Like all the gun dog breeds, in the late 1800s dogs started to be bred for the show ring.
Mr Laverack bred a more glamorous heavier built Dog, with a more even colour and configuration resulting in the Show Dog we see at Cruft's each year. With that exposure more Dogs entered the public domain. The Show Setter of today is a larger built dog with a more defined head, it may or may not be inclined to work, it is generally a relaxed docile companion who enjoys life and is easy to get along with. It's coat requires regular grooming and many are trimmed on a regular basis. It is prone to moments of playful madness which can be difficult if you are 'particular' about your home. They are excellent family pets.
Mr. Llewellin was interested in the working side, continuing generations of selective breeding.The Working Dogs are referred to as Llewellins. At the start of the First World War destruction notices were placed on all non essential animals, including the large kennels breeding the Working Dogs. Only the very best survived, primarily due to being sent to America or Australia.Training a Working Dog requires skill, with so many men failing to return there were too few left to instantly rebuild the blood lines. The Second World War saw more destruction notices, the Working lines struggled during the post war years with a dedicated group keeping the breeding true. Llewellins have never fully recovered, but the highly selective breeding has produced Dogs of high quality which are in great demand around the world. The Working type are usually smaller, tough resilient animals bred for their hardiness and ability to cover great distances, their coat a mix of fine top layer and thick undercoat needs little attention apart from the removal of general debris which they happen to bring home from the nearest hedgerow or from one of their AWOL expeditions. Their feet and tails do require constant checking. Working English Setters are known throughout the world as the finest working dogs, highly desirable and their training is something of an art. Odd that so few British fail to recognise the Workers at all.
In the UK that knowledge and skill is held by a handful of dedicated specialists.From breeding to working, to socialisation and to training they require experienced owners who understand not just the physicality of these incredible animals but the mentality too. What makes them tick. Make no mistake, a Worker is a companion Dog who will happily lay on the sofa, but he is only ever truly happy running free, and achieving that should be the ultimate goal of the owner.These are not dogs to be kept on lead unable to run free, or stuffed in cages whilst the owner chats on their mobile phone or watches TV. They deserve so much more. For some Dogs there are times when domestic life combined with the lack of freedom causes immense distress and that is when behavioural problems become a serious issue.
Today, therefore, we have two distinct English Setters in the UK, they both come in the same colours and they are both called Setters but they are two completely different 'wee beasties'...
European Workers are Workers or Dual Purpose. There is a subtle difference and that difference will vary depending on where they are bred. The Dual Purpose is usually easier to settle, easier to train and has a more gentle nature and they can make excellent pets. A Worker may look very similar to the untrained eye, but they are bred to work, many can and do find adjustment to domestic life difficult. Would I leave a child with a Worker fresh from the streets. Absolutely NOT.
For all Setters the colours are mainly Blue Belton (black and white), Blue Belton and Tan (black, white and tan) and Orange Belton (orange and white) with occasionally Liver (brown and white) turning up, mostly in the working dogs. Liver in the Show type is rare, a genetic lack of pigment from the Blue resulting in the Liver colour and pale eyes.  In all colours, there is a range from almost pure white to almost solid black.
We are frequently asked for information regarding European Dogs by people with no Setter knowledge other than they like the look of the beautiful Dog with sad eyes. A dog in need of a home because the wicked hunter has thrown it out, sadly some have put more thought into ordering a Chinese take away than the suitability and needs of a Setter. Thankfully many have done their home work and a small number are asking the right questions, We are happy to give our time to help potential adopters who have a genuine desire to learn.How much dog experience do you have? What research about Setters have you done?How much time do you have to dedicate daily to training?What experience do you have at long distance training?Are you prepared for a dog who is bred to work at distance, who will go AWOL the moment you stop interacting with him? This is not a Dog who will obiediently trot at your side if you are chatting to friend on your mobile!Do you realise that this breed need to be exercised every single day for at least two hours and we are not talking about  the school run or a quick whizz around the local park or up to the shops.How fit are you?What do you know about the physical and emotional needs of this breed?Do you understand the health issues of a dog bred to be a super fit athlete, never allowed to run free beyond the garden, the stress levels and the damage to the spine if it can not fully stretch to run?How do you expect to train a Worker if you do not understand what it was bred for? Dog training classes are fine for close quarter work but long distance off lead?
Street dogs will never have been inside a domestic home, never seen a TV, never been house trained, never been trained to wear a collar or walk on a lead. Do you expect the Dog to make an immediate adjustment to domestic life from day 1?
Why are we so determined to make sure people really understand Workers ? Because we arall too often contacted  by people who have adopted from other agencies and and who can not cope, we see dogs destroyed by neglect, dogs that have not run for years because the Adopters have no idea. Dogs who can not run because they have spent years curled up in cat baskets never going out.Dogs unable to walk because their back legs are so matted they have to learn how to move again.Dogs who have been repeatedly re homed and repeatedly failed, their chances of finding their forever home even more impossible with the constant changes, expectations and changes in 'training' the poor dogs faces an uncertain future.And NO we can not and will not accept that there are pro's and con's to a Worker going blind because they can not be bothered to get a UK Vet check.

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