English Setter
One of the sweetest-natured breeds. Beautiful ticked coat. Needs a lot of room and daily exercise. Sheds year-round.
Traits at a glance
Cost calculator
Training tips for a English Setter
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a English Setter's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Consistency
Establish a strict routine with frequent outdoor trips after meals and sleep, and if an accident occurs indoors, interrupt with a firm verbal marker and immediately guide outside to finish. Reward heavily when they toilet in the correct spot to build the association quickly.
Early Bird Socialisation
Expose your English Setter to varied environments, people, and other dogs from 8 weeks onwards, as their gentle nature can tip into shyness without broad early experiences. Use controlled introductions and allow them to approach new stimuli at their own pace while maintaining calm, confident leadership.
Exercise and Mental Work
Provide at least 60-90 minutes of daily exercise including off-lead running in safe areas, combined with scent work or retrieval games to satisfy their hunting instincts. A tired Setter is a well-behaved Setter—under-exercise leads to restlessness and nuisance behaviours.
Managing Roaming Instinct
English Setters have strong scenting drive and may bolt after birds or interesting smells, so teach a reliable recall early using high-value rewards and practice long-line work before trusting off-lead. If they ignore a recall, use a check on the line with immediate release when they turn back, then reward the return generously.
Gentle but Clear Training
Match your training style to their sensitive, willing temperament—use clear, calm communication with well-timed markers for desired behaviour and brief, fair corrections for unwanted actions. This breed responds poorly to harshness but thrives when they understand exactly what you want through consistent boundaries and generous acknowledgment of success.
Training guides for a English Setter
Expert-written guides picked for a English Setter's temperament and needs.
How dogs actually learn: the four quadrants explained
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and everything in between — a clear, honest look at operant conditioning and when each tool is the right call.
Building a rock-solid recall
A reliable come-when-called can save your dog's life. Here's how to build one that holds up around real distractions.
Loose-lead walking: stop the pulling for good
Why your dog pulls, and a step-by-step plan using clear reinforcement to build a relaxed, no-tension walk.
Health & nutrition for a English Setter
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a English Setter in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •English Setters are genetically prone to hip dysplasia, so monitor for limping, difficulty rising, or reduced activity and maintain a lean body condition to reduce joint stress.
- •This breed can develop hypothyroidism, watch for unexplained weight gain, lethargy, skin issues, or coat thinning and have thyroid function tested if symptoms appear.
- •Elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) occur in the breed, so watch for lameness in front legs or signs of vision deterioration like night blindness or bumping into objects.
- •Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is a risk in deep-chested breeds like English Setters, so recognise signs of distended abdomen, retching without vomiting, and restlessness as a veterinary emergency.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a biologically-appropriate raw diet consisting of 2-3% of body weight daily (approximately 900g-1600g for a 45-80 lb English Setter), with 70-80% raw muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones like chicken wings or turkey necks, and 5-10% organ meat including liver and kidney to support joint health and coat condition.
- •Raw feeding prevents the blood sugar spikes associated with carbohydrate-heavy kibble and helps maintain the lean physique essential for reducing hip and elbow dysplasia risk in this athletic breed.
- •Include omega-3 rich proteins like sardines or mackerel twice weekly in the raw diet to support thyroid function, reduce inflammation, and maintain the English Setter's beautiful silky coat.
- •If raw feeding is temporarily impossible, choose a high-quality grain-free kibble as a fallback and feed approximately 3-4 cups daily split into two meals, though this lacks the bioavailable nutrients and joint-supporting benefits of raw meaty bones.
Exercise & weight
- •Provide at least 60-90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise including off-lead running in secure areas, as this high-energy sporting breed requires substantial physical activity to prevent obesity and maintain joint health.
- •Incorporate scent work, retrieving games, or field training that engages the English Setter's natural hunting instincts and provides mental stimulation alongside physical exertion.
- •Include varied terrain like bush trails or beaches to build muscle support around joints vulnerable to dysplasia, while avoiding repetitive high-impact activities on hard surfaces during growth phases (under 18 months).
- •Schedule two shorter sessions rather than one long burst to reduce bloat risk, and always wait at least one hour after feeding before intense exercise.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a English Setter?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.