The English Setter is a 45-80 lb (25-32 kg) bird dog wearing a feathered, speckled coat called 'belton.' Bred over centuries in England to range across open moorland, locate game birds by scent, and freeze into a low 'set' so hunters could net them, this is an athlete first and a couch companion second — even the show-bred lines. People fall for the elegant looks and the famously sweet, mellow temperament, then discover they bought a dog that needs a real job and real mileage. Knowing which side of that you can deliver is the whole decision. Get it right and the English Setter is one of the gentlest, most people-oriented gundogs you can own: affectionate, patient with children, good with other dogs, sensitive, and far softer in personality than its energy suggests. The trade-offs are concrete. It needs 60-90 minutes of hard exercise a day or it becomes anxious, destructive, and obsessively self-grooming. The feathered coat mats behind the ears, on the legs, and on the belly within days if you skip brushing. It is a sensitive, sometimes stubborn trainer that shuts down under harsh handling — slow, positive, repetitive work only. And the nose is always on: an off-lead Setter that catches bird scent will run, so recall is a lifelong project, not a weekend course. The English Setter is right for an active person or family — runners, hikers, hunters, dog-sport homes — who is around enough to give it company and a job, and who will brush it 3-4 times a week for its full 10-12 year life. It is wrong for sedentary owners, people gone all day, anyone wanting a low-grooming dog, or anyone who trains with corrections and pressure. Buy from a breeder who hip-tests and BAER-tests for deafness, because both run in the breed and neither shows up at the puppy stage.
Origin
🇬🇧 England
Life Span
10–12 years
Weight
20.4–36.3 kg
Height
58.4–68.6 cm
high
Exercise
high
Grooming
moderate
Shedding
Yes
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
The English Setter is one of the oldest of the British gundogs, with a recognizable type traceable back several centuries. Its core skill predates firearms: 'setting' dogs were bred to find game birds by air scent and then crouch low — to 'set' — so hunters could throw a net over both birds and dog. As wing-shooting replaced netting, the dog's job shifted to locating and pointing birds for the gun, but the steady, methodical hunting style remaine…
English Setter dog breed portrait
The "belton" pattern unique to English Setters is named after a village in Northumberland, England
English Setters got their name from their distinctive habit of "setting" or crouching when they detect game birds
They are one of the oldest gun dog breeds, with references dating back to the 14th century
English Setters are sometimes called the "gentlemen of the dog world" due to their dignified yet friendly nature
The breed was one of the first nine breeds recognized by the AKC when it was founded in 1884
Purchase Price
800–2500 USD
Monthly Cost
~$120 USD
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A English Setter costs $800–$2,500 to purchase from a reputable breeder, plus roughly $120/month in ongoing expenses — food, veterinary care, grooming, and insurance. Over a 10–12-year lifespan, total lifetime ownership cost runs $14,400–$17,280. Adopting from a rescue ($50–$500) reduces the upfront cost significantly. The first year is always the most expensive due to initial setup costs ($300–$800) on top of the purchase price.
Prices vary based on lineage, breeder reputation, location, and whether the English Setter is pet-quality or show-quality. Adopting from a rescue or shelter typically costs $50–$500 and gives a English Setter a second chance at a loving home.
| Expense | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Food & treats | $42–$54/mo |
| Veterinary care (wellness) | $24–$36/mo |
| Grooming | $12–$18/mo |
| Pet insurance | $30–$70/mo |
| Toys, supplies & misc | $10–$14/mo |
| Total monthly estimate | ~$120/mo |
Purchase
$800–$2,500
Initial setup
$300–$800
crate, bed, bowls, collar, leash
12 months care
~$1,440
This estimate includes routine food, veterinary wellness visits, grooming, insurance, and supplies — but does not include emergency veterinary care, boarding, or specialized training. Actual costs vary by location, lifestyle choices, and your English Setter's individual health needs.
All costs are approximate U.S. averages and vary by location, breeder, veterinary clinic, and individual needs. Updated March 2026.
Exercise is non-negotiable: 60-90 minutes a day of real movement — running, off-lead time in safe space, scent work, or fieldwork — split into two sessions, not one walk. This is a hunting breed with stamina to cover miles; a tired Setter is a calm, easy dog and an under-exercised one is an anxious, destructive, lick-granuloma-prone one. Until the growth plates close (around 12-15 months), keep exercise low-impact to protect developing hips. Coat: the feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail mats fast. Brush 3-4 times a week, 15-20 minutes, with a slicker and comb working all the way to the skin on the feathered areas; line-comb the belly and behind the ears where mats hide. Trim the feet, ears, and feathering every 4-8 weeks and bathe every 4-6 weeks. The dropped, hairy ears trap moisture — check and dry-clean them weekly and after every swim to head off ear infections, which this breed gets readily. Weight: hold a lean 45-80 lb depending on sex and line, ribs easily felt, clear waist. Recheck monthly and cut food 10% if the waist disappears; extra weight magnifies the breed's hip and arthritis risk. Budget: roughly $700-$1,400/year on food and routine care for a dog this size, plus $50-$90 every 4-8 weeks if you outsource grooming, plus a real allowance for recurring ear infections. Decision rule: if you cannot guarantee 60-90 minutes of daily exercise and 3-4 weekly grooming sessions for the next decade, pick a lower-energy, lower-coat breed — an English Setter without exercise and grooming becomes a chronically anxious dog with a matted coat and infected ears, and that is not a fixable-later problem.
Dive deeper into everything English Setter — costs, care, and expert insights.
How Much Does a English Setter Cost?
Purchase price, monthly costs, and lifetime expenses
English Setter Care Guide
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