Breed History
The oldest setter known today, the English Setter is likely descended from crossbreeding between the Spanish Pointer, Springer Spaniel, and other water spaniels....
So called because the dog would naturally crouch, or set, when it spotted game, the English Setter has been used as a hunting dog for a very long time, perhaps as far back as the 13th century.In 1825, an Englishman by the name of Edward Laverack began a 35-year quest to turn the English Setter into a recognizable pure breed. His efforts attracted the attention of another breeder, Purcell Llewellin, who took some of Laveracks setters and concentrated on cultivating the dogs field abilities. Llewellin was so successful in this endeavor that the English Setter eventually came to be seen as having two distinct classes: Laveracks show setters were prized for their looks and elegance, while Llewellins field setters excelled at hunting and field work. The English Setter was imported to the United States during the latter half of the 19th century and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. Though never a superstar in North America, the English Setter has been a fairly common fixture on this side of the Atlantic for well over a century.