Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Background
The English Setter is one of the oldest British pointing breeds, developed in the 16th–17th centuries from spaniels and early setting dogs. The breed was refined through the deliberate work of English breeders, especially Edward Laverack and Richard Llewellin, who established the modern type—elegant, enduring, and specialized in searching and pointing game birds. Historically, the setter was used in field hunting and gun work, known for its ability to locate birds and “set” by crouching or freezing. Over time, the breed spread throughout Europe and America, combining working ability with an attractive appearance. Today, the English Setter remains highly valued both as a professional hunting dog and as an active, human-oriented companion, demonstrating intelligence, steadiness, and friendliness.
General Appearance
The English Setter is a medium to large, elegant, and harmoniously built dog with a dry constitution and well-developed musculature. The body is slightly longer than tall, the topline is firm and smooth, and the chest is deep with well-sprung ribs. The overall silhouette is graceful yet strong, giving an impression of nobility and endurance. The neck is moderately long and arched, blending smoothly into well-laid shoulders. Limbs are straight with a strong but not heavy bone. A characteristic feature of the breed is its long, silky coat with feathering on the ears, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tail. Movement is light, gliding, and effortless, with good rear drive. The head expression is soft, intelligent, and open, reflecting the Setter’s calm and friendly nature.
Important Proportions
Height at the withers is roughly equal to body length, but the outline is slightly rectangular: body length exceeds height by about 5–10%. Chest depth is approximately half the dog’s height. Skull and muzzle length are approximately equal, with a distinct but not abrupt stop. Scapulae are long and well laid back, allowing a wide reach of the forelegs. The shoulder angle is about 90°. Tail length reaches the hock and continues the topline without break. Balance and harmony of proportions are essential: the Setter must appear both light and athletic, yet strong enough for a full day of hunting. Coarseness, heaviness, or excessive lightness are considered faults. Symmetry, fluid lines, bone-to-muscle ratio, and coat balance define the ideal type.
Behavior and Temperament
The English Setter is calm, friendly, intelligent, and highly cooperative. The breed combines strong hunting instinct with a gentle, people-oriented disposition. In the field, the Setter shows initiative, wide-range search, exceptional scenting ability, and a natural tendency to freeze on game. At home, it is affectionate, gentle, and good with children and other animals. Aggression and shyness are uncharacteristic and considered faults. The breed requires regular physical and mental stimulation—long walks, training, and scent work. The Setter is highly trainable, sensitive to tone and emotional cues, and may show independence if training lacks motivation or respect. Thanks to its balanced temperament, the English Setter is suitable both for hunting and active family life, provided exercise needs are met.
Head
The head is long, dry, and well proportioned to the body, with a clearly defined but soft stop. Skull oval when viewed from above, broad between the ears, tapering gradually toward the muzzle without forming a wedge. Cheeks moderately flat, not coarse. Muzzle rectangular, deep, and parallel-sided. Nose large and pigmented, ideally dark. Lips slightly developed but tight and not pendulous. Scissor bite, strong, even teeth, full dentition. The head should convey nobility, intelligence, and a soft expression, free of coarseness or sharp transitions. A head that is overly short, heavy, bulldog-like, or with excessive lip is faulty. Overall, the head must reflect breed type, balance, and function.
Foreface / Muzzle
The muzzle is long and deep, with a straight nasal bridge and well-developed lower jaw. The stop is noticeable but smooth. Nose large, with open nostrils, black or dark brown depending on coat color. Lips tight, not pendulous. Cheeks smooth and lean. Proper muzzle length is essential—too short gives a coarse head, too long weakens expression. The planes of the muzzle must remain parallel. Nose leather should be moist and highly sensitive, important for scent work. Lack of pigmentation or partial depigmentation is a fault. The foreface must combine functionality with the elegant profile typical of the breed.
Eyes
Eyes are oval, medium-sized, set deep but not narrow, with a slight slant, creating a soft, attentive, and intelligent expression. Color ranges from dark hazel to deep brown, harmonizing with the coat; very light or glassy eyes are undesirable. Eyelids are tight, well pigmented, without droopiness or redness. The expression should be kind, lively, and calm, reflecting the dog’s stable temperament and willingness to cooperate. Aggressive or fearful expression, round or protruding eyes, very small eyes, or depigmented eyelids are considered faults.
Ears
The ears are low-set and placed back, lying close to the cheeks and emphasizing the breed’s elegant head profile. They are thin, velvety, and reach approximately the level of the nose when extended. Covered in long, silky hair that forms characteristic feathering and enhances the Setter’s elegance. Ears must not be thick, heavy, high-set, short, or lacking feathering. Stiff, short-coated, or outward-turning ears are considered faults. Ideal ears contribute to softness of expression and must not interfere with field work.
Neck
The neck is long, dry, slightly arched, and well muscled, blending smoothly into the shoulders without abrupt angles. It must be strong enough for hunting work while maintaining elegance and flexibility. Skin is tight and smooth with no dewlap. Neck length ideally corresponds to head length, ensuring balance and correct carriage. Too short a neck breaks the outline and makes the dog appear heavy; too long a neck weakens forehand strength. Proper neck set gives the impression of readiness for movement and enhances overall harmony.
Body
The body is slightly elongated, strong, and balanced, with a deep and broad chest reaching the elbows. Ribs are well sprung, not barrel-shaped, allowing ample lung and heart capacity—vital for a hunting dog. Withers moderately pronounced, blending into a straight, firm back with no dips or roach. Loin short, muscular, and slightly arched for driving power. Croup moderately sloping, broad, with long musculature to support strong rear propulsion. Underline slightly tucked but not excessively dry. Weak topline, roached back, narrow chest, or loose belly are faults that impair working ability.
Tail
The tail continues the topline, carried straight or slightly below the level of the back, never upright. It reaches the hock, tapers toward the tip, and is covered in long, silky hair forming the characteristic feather. The tail serves as a counterbalance during movement and is a key element of breed expression. Undesirable traits include short tail, high tail set, saber tail, curled or kinked tail, or lack of feathering. The tail should be flexible, expressive, elegant, and harmonious with the breed outline.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight and parallel, with strong but not heavy bone. Shoulders long and well laid back, forming a roughly 90° angle with the upper arm, ensuring reach and free movement. Elbows close to the body, neither turned in nor out. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Feet oval, compact, toes well arched, pads thick. Faults include upright shoulders, loose elbows, weak pasterns, narrow stance, or splayed feet. Forequarters must demonstrate balance, functionality, and characteristic lightness.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong and wide, with well-developed muscles on the thighs and second thighs. Stifle and hock joints well angulated but not exaggerated, providing powerful drive. Hocks well let down, straight and parallel when viewed from behind. Feet oval and compact. Faults include straight hindquarters, weak muscle, cow-hocked or barrel-hocked stance, and unstable joints. The hindquarters must combine strength with elegance, ensuring efficient movement and endurance.
Gait / Movement
Movement is free, smooth, and effortless, with a long forward reach and strong, elastic rear drive. The gait must be natural and economical without excessive lift or tension. The dog should show coordination, balance, and stamina without rocking or crossing limbs. At rest, the body appears stable; in motion, supple and athletic. Faults include short stride, restricted movement, stilted or uneven gait, cow-hocked or toeing in/out. Movement is a key indicator of functional working ability and breed type.
Coat
Coat long, straight, or slightly wavy, soft, fine, and silky, never curly or coarse. Feathering occurs on ears, neck, chest, back of legs, feet, and tail, contributing to the breed’s elegant appearance. Hair on the head and front legs is short and smooth. Undercoat is moderate, providing weather protection during field work. Faults include coarse, curly, sparse, short, or overly heavy coat. The coat must be functional yet decorative, not interfering with movement or hunting performance.
Permissible Colors
The base color is white with colored patches or ticked patterns known as belton. Accepted colors include blue belton (black), orange belton, liver belton, lemon belton, and tricolor (black and tan on a white base). Patches may vary in size or appear as ticking, but coat must remain harmonious without excessive darkness. Solid colors, absence of white, or genetic patterns causing depigmentation or hair loss are unacceptable. Eye and skin pigment must match coat color and preserve breed expression.
Size
Height at the withers: males 65–68 cm, females 61–65 cm. Weight: males 25–30 kg, females 20–26 kg. Correct proportions and working balance are more important than size alone. The Setter must not be heavy, coarse, or soft, but excessive refinement is equally undesirable. Size is evaluated in context with bone, musculature, and overall harmony. Dogs that are too large lose mobility and stamina; those too small lack strength and working ability. Deviations over 2–3 cm are considered serious faults.
Faults
Any deviation from the standard that does not require disqualification but affects performance or breed type. Includes: overly light or heavy bone, weak muscles, soft topline, flat ribs, light eyes, short or rounded skull, loose lips, sparse feathering, short or harsh coat, incorrect proportions, poor angulation, low or high tail set. Behavioral faults include excessive shyness, excitability, stubbornness. Faults are evaluated according to severity and impact on quality.
Disqualifying Faults
Aggression or extreme shyness. Total or partial depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids. Undershot or overshot bite, missing incisors or canines. Albinism, incorrect colors, absence of white base. Major structural defects such as severe dysplasia, spine deformities, abnormal tail, serious movement disorders. Blue eyes, strabismus, deafness, signs of disease or severe emaciation. Cryptorchidism. Any physical or behavioral defects that make the dog unfit for breeding or work. The Setter must be healthy, functional, and true to its purpose.
Important Notes
Only clinically healthy dogs with stable temperament and clear breed type may be used in breeding. The English Setter must retain its working ability; therefore, conformation is evaluated together with temperament, instincts, and stamina. Breeding dogs with hereditary diseases, aggression, joint disorders, or weak nerves is unacceptable. Breed type includes appearance, behavior, movement, and field ability. Preservation of the breed’s original purpose is the foundation of responsible breeding.
Conclusion
The English Setter is a classic pointing breed combining elegance, intelligence, and strong hunting instinct. It is a noble dog designed for field work, yet gentle, friendly, and devoted to its human family. The breed requires activity, training, and proper coat care. When bred according to the standard, the Setter excels as both a reliable working partner and a loyal companion at home. Protecting its working ability and conformation is essential to preserving this historic and versatile breed.
