How long does a Setter Inglés live?

The life expectancy of the Setter Inglés is 11-15 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Setter Inglés weigh?

An adult Setter Inglés weighs between 20-36 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

Who is the Setter Inglés NOT recommended for?

It isn't the right breed for: Sedentary families. Small flats without walks. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

Is it a good family dog?

Excellent with children: it is sweet, patient and very sociable, one of the most balanced setters. That said, it needs an active family to give it its daily exercise; it is not a couch dog.

Can it cope with living in a flat?

It can, but it is not ideal. It needs a lot of exercise and company; in a flat it only works if you go out every day to do sport with it and don't leave it alone for many hours, because it suffers from separation anxiety.

Why do its ears get so infected?

It has drooping, long, hairy ears that trap moisture and wax. It is a breed prone to otitis: clean its ears every week and dry them well after baths or swims in the countryside.

How much brushing does it need?

Quite a lot. The feathering on its ears, chest and legs tangles easily and catches grass seeds. With 3-4 brushings a week and a check after every walk in the countryside it stays healthy and free of knots.

Will it hunt if I don't use it for hunting?

It will point at and chase birds and trails even if it has never hunted: it is instinctive. Channel that nose with search games and keep it under control near birds and wildlife.

Breed profile

Setter Inglés

Distinctive speckled coat (belton). A classic bird-hunting dog. Cheerful, affectionate, well-balanced temperament. Calmer than the Irish Setter. An excellent active family dog.

Origin: Inglaterra Size: Grande Lifespan: 11-15 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Active families with children
✓Hunters
✓Homes with a garden

Reconsider if

×Sedentary families
×Small flats without walks

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Is the Setter Inglés a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Ease of handling

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

90-140 €/month

Food 40-55 €, prorated veterinary costs (vaccinations, deworming, check-up) 18-28 €, insurance and unforeseen costs 12-20 €, grooming/hygiene of feathering and ears 8-15 €, accessories 5-12 €. Recurrent ear infections can push up veterinary spending.

History and origin

Refined by Edward Laverack and Richard Purcell Llewellin in the 19th century from older spaniels and setters.

Recognised by the FCI within Group 7 or 8 (pointing or retrieving dogs). Its historical use as a hunting dog dictates its need for physical exercise and scent work: boredom is the leading cause of behavioural problems.

Temperament and character

Cheerful, gentle, sociable. Affectionate with the family. Well-balanced. Intelligent and sensitive. Good with everyone. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food-stuffed Kongs and short trick sessions channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment breeds fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it picks up on tension and takes it on.

Living together

Children: excellent. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: good with socialisation.

Life stages of the Setter Inglés

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 11-15 años.

Puppy

0-1 year

Hearing test (congenital deafness linked to the speckling); socialisation and progressive exercise without joint overload.

Young

1-2 years

High level of daily exercise; cleaning of the drooping ears and baseline thyroid function.

Adult

2-8 years

Hip monitoring; management of atopic allergies and recurrent otitis; weight maintenance.

Senior

8+ years

Thyroid and joint review; monitoring for tumours; adapted exercise.

Care

Exercise: 60-90 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Off-lead running in a secure area is essential for high-energy breeds.

Brushing: daily; intensive during the moulting seasons (spring and autumn).

Feeding: quality food appropriate to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the leading preventable cause of joint problems.

Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from age 5 (7 in giant breeds); twice a year from age 8.

Exercise 1.5 h/day. Brushing 3 times a week. Weekly ear cleaning. Positive training.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food for an active large breed, split into 2 meals to reduce the risk of gastric torsion. Adjust the ration to actual activity (more during hunting/sport season) and avoid excess weight, which punishes the hips and elbows.

✂️ Grooming

Brush 3-4 times a week to prevent tangles in the feathering on the ears, chest and legs; hygienic trims on the pads and perianal area. After walks in the countryside, check the feathering for grass seeds and ticks, and clean the ears weekly.

🎓 Training

Cheerful, sensitive and intelligent; learns fast with positive reinforcement and a gentle hand. Needs rich socialisation and scent work. It is a pointing dog: boredom translates into destruction, so combine obedience, scent games and exercise.

🏃 Exercise

60-90 min of intense activity daily with off-lead time and sniffing. An urban walk is not enough: it does best with running, canicross or search work. A setter that hasn't burned off its energy is a restless, destructive setter.

Breed-specific health

Bloat. Dysplasia. Heart disease. Retinal atrophy. Deafness. Life expectancy 11-15 years. Life expectancy of 11-15 years with proper care. Pre-breeding testing is recommended in responsible kennels (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦴Displasia de cadera 🦴Hipotiroidismo 👂Otitis (infección de oído)🐾Dermatitis atópica

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Setter Inglés

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Official hip and elbow dysplasia radiograph
✓Ophthalmological examination (progressive retinal atrophy)
✓BAER hearing test (predisposition to congenital deafness in white coats)
✓Thyroid panel and cardiac echocardiography

Prevention

Avoid high-impact exercise and stairs during growth to protect the joints. Weekly cleaning of the ears (drooping and hairy, prone to otitis). Strict weight control. Preventing gastric torsion: 2 meals a day and rest after eating.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with blood work from age 5; every six months from age 8. Hearing test for the puppy before adoption/purchase.

Warning signs

!Lameness, difficulty getting up or reluctance to exercise
!Head shaking, bad smell or discharge in the ears (otitis)
!No response to sounds on one side (unilateral deafness)
!Bloated abdomen, unproductive retching and restlessness (emergency due to gastric torsion)

Setter Inglés gallery

Foto de la raza setter ingles — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Setter Inglés

How long does a Setter Inglés live?: The life expectancy of the Setter Inglés is 11-15 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
How much does a Setter Inglés weigh?: An adult Setter Inglés weighs between 20-36 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.
Where does the Setter Inglés breed come from?: The Setter Inglés originates from Inglaterra. Refined by Edward Laverack and Richard Purcell Llewellin in the 19th century from older spaniels and setters.
How much exercise does a Setter Inglés need?: The Setter Inglés has alta energy. **Exercise:** 60-90 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Off-lead running in a secure area is essential for high-energy breeds.
Is the Setter Inglés good with children?: Children: excellent. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: good with socialisation.
Who is the Setter Inglés NOT recommended for?: It isn't the right breed for: Sedentary families. Small flats without walks. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
What health problems does the Setter Inglés have?: Bloat. Dysplasia. Heart disease. Retinal atrophy. Deafness. Life expectancy 11-15 years. Life expectancy of 11-15 years with proper care. Pre-breeding testing is recommended in responsible kennels (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.
Is it a good family dog?: Excellent with children: it is sweet, patient and very sociable, one of the most balanced setters. That said, it needs an active family to give it its daily exercise; it is not a couch dog.
Can it cope with living in a flat?: It can, but it is not ideal. It needs a lot of exercise and company; in a flat it only works if you go out every day to do sport with it and don't leave it alone for many hours, because it suffers from separation anxiety.
Why do its ears get so infected?: It has drooping, long, hairy ears that trap moisture and wax. It is a breed prone to otitis: clean its ears every week and dry them well after baths or swims in the countryside.
How much brushing does it need?: Quite a lot. The feathering on its ears, chest and legs tangles easily and catches grass seeds. With 3-4 brushings a week and a check after every walk in the countryside it stays healthy and free of knots.
Will it hunt if I don't use it for hunting?: It will point at and chase birds and trails even if it has never hunted: it is instinctive. Channel that nose with search games and keep it under control near birds and wildlife.