English Setter – is this solely a hunting dog?
English Setters are certainly hunting dogs, but are they suited only for that purpose? To find out, it is worth examining the history of the breed and its predispositions. What were English Setters used for in the past, and what are they used for now? What do these dogs enjoy, and what do they need?
A Little History
From a historical perspective, the first mentions of a dog of this breed date back to the sixteenth century. They hunted birds. However, there are various theories about the breed's origins—some believe they are a cross between an old water spaniel, an old Spanish pointer and early varieties of springer, whilst others believe they simply descended from various Spanish land spaniels. The ancestors of this breed are also spoken of as dogs with feathered coats, which assisted falconers during hunts. The name of the breed, setter, derives from the old name "setting spaniel". It denoted directly what the dog did—it would approach game hidden in bushes, and then, without flushing it, would indicate (set) to the hunter where it was, remaining motionless. This allowed the hunter to cover the game with a net. Only after the invention of firearms did the dog's role change; it was to point game at distance and then, on command, flush the quarry. After World War II, interest in the English Setter as a hunting dog declined, as they supposedly found an easier dog to train for this purpose—the Continental Pointer. Knowledge of the breed's history gives us insight into what these dogs were originally like.
English Setters Today
In English Setters, we can still observe a strong hunting instinct, which means that as owners we must be vigilant during walks. The hunting instinct is also a chasing instinct, which is something to remember. Currently, English Setters are used not only for hunting, but also as family members, as assistance dogs and dogs for dog therapy. These beautiful dogs can also be seen at shows of pedigree dogs organised by the Polish Kennel Club – ZKwP. Dogs of this breed learn quickly, demonstrate great willingness to cooperate with humans, which gives us many possibilities in training.
Canine Sports and English Setters
The canine world offers us many interesting dog sports, in most of which the English Setter would excel. Agility, obedience, canicross, bikejoring, dogtrekking, dog frisbee, skijoring, rally obedience, nosework, dog fitness or shows – the setter is so versatile that it is suited to all of them. In summary, as you can read, the English Setter is not merely a hunting dog. The English Setter's application is universal. With their positive energy, they will conquer any activity and the hearts of all their future owners. They are devoted and love their family. English Setters are characterised by gentleness, both towards humans and other animals. Their appearance is breathtaking; they truly are wonderful, spirited dogs for active families with children.
English Setter Breeder ZKwP/FCI
