English Setter

The English Setter is one of the oldest hunting dogs in the world dating back to 14th century England. It was often called "Setting doggies" which is an ancient term used for dogs that set or point upland game birds. There is evidence to suggest the English Setter was a cross from the Spanish Pointer, English Springer Spaniel and a large water spaniel.

In the 17th century, the English Setter had become widely popular and established on British estates. The modern English Setter was developed by Englishman Edward Laverack and Welshman R.L. Purcell Llewellin in the late 1800s, in the hopes of creating a gentle and companionable dog breed.

Today, English Setters have a unique appearance, with sculpted heads, athletic bodies and feathery tails. These elegant dogs are still one of the favourite dog breeds in the UK and the world because of their kind and gentle nature.

An epitome of grace, strength and stamina, the English Setter boasts of an elegant, symmetrical and athletic build. It is medium-sized and slim, weighing 45 to 80 pounds and standing 61 to 69 centimetres at the withers. It has a long head and a definite stop. Its muzzle is square that is moderately deep. Depending on the dog's coat, the nose is either black or liver. English Setters have dark eyes, either hazel or dark brown, that are bright and expressive.

The English Setter’s trademark is its speckled coat that comes in a variety of colours such as blue, lemon, orange, or brown, while the base of the coat is white. The coat is tight and lies flat without any wooliness or curls. It also sports feathering (longer fringe of hair) on the ears, chest, belly, legs, tail and underside of the thighs.

• Senior and less active: up to 1,140 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1,390 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 2,220 calories daily

If you're looking for a gentle and loveable dog, an English Setter is a good choice. However, is it a good choice considering your finances? Keeping a dog is not cheap. There are a lot of expenses that you must factor into your monthly budget if you want to keep it happy and healthy. For starters, buying an English Setter puppy will cost around £450 to over £1,000, depending on the pedigree. Pet insurance is another cost to factor in if you want to be offset some expenses on health emergencies and accidents. Insuring an English Setter will set you back a monthly amount of £20 to £50.

Of course, getting a pet insurance does not cover regular veterinary consultations and basic procedures such as vaccinations, boosters and neutering/spaying (when the time is right). Veterinary routine checks will cost you around £1,000 a year. When it comes to food, buying high-quality dog food for an English Setter will set you back £40 to £60 a month. Other costs to factor in are basic dog supplies such as leash, collars, beds, bowls, toys and more.