Mary Allen
The English Setter’s ancestors most likely include Spanish Pointers, Water Spaniels, and Springer Spaniels. These were crossed around 400 years ago to create a breed of dog that still had curly hair and the classic spaniel head shape. The modern English Setter is said to have evolved from these dogs. Edward Laverack was instrumental in this development: in 1825 he bought two black and white setter-like dogs from a certain Reverend A. Harrison, a male named “Ponto” and a female named “Old Moll”. With this pair, he bred a breed of dog that made excellent hunting dogs, using the inbreeding practice that was common at the time. He is said to have paid great attention to performance in the difficult terrain of the Scottish high moor. From this strict selection came the “Laverack Setters” who soon became famous all over the world. In 1874 the first of these dogs was born by a person named C.H. Raymond imported to America.
#1 The English Setter’s long coat is surprisingly easy to groom: it should be brushed and combed carefully once or twice a week.
Daily brushing is only necessary in spring and autumn because of the shedding. After swimming or bathing, you should dry it well and check and clean its long ears regularly.
