What is an English Setter?
The English Setter is an intensely friendly and good-natured breed of dog whose mellow temperament makes it an excellent family pet. The English Setter is one of the oldest breeds of gun dog, with a history that traces back to the 14th century. It was developed over hundreds of years from spaniel stock. It was originally called a Setting Spaniel, used for finding and “setting” birds. Before the use of firearms became widespread (19th century), hunters used nets to ensnare game birds. They would spread a large net over a wide area, including the dog. When the hunter made a loud noise to cause the birds to fly, they would be caught in the net and easily harvested. The Setting Spaniel, and later the Setter, crouched down on its front legs as though bowing to indicate the presence and location of birds. This unique stance, which facilitated the use of the net, is where the Setter got its name. Later, when guns began to be used in hunting, a more upright, pointing stance was bred into the S
