Breed guide
English Setter
The gentleman's setter. Gorgeous, mellow, gentle. Beautiful feathered coat needs care. One of the calmest sporting breeds.
AKC Rank
#96
Size
large (45-80 lbs)
Life Expectancy
12-14 yrs
Activity
high
Feeding a English Setter
Elegant sporting breed. ~1,200-1,600 kcal/day. Gorgeous feathered coat needs omega-3.
Key nutrients
- •omega-3
- •biotin
- •glucosamine
Portion notes: Two meals daily.
Fresh food picks for English Setters
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a English Setter actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$4,295-$8,480
Ongoing years run $3,400-$6,580 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$2,400-$3,650
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$420-$600
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$600-$1,250
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$225-$750
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$480
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$756-$1,323/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for large dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for English Setters
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
Beautiful feathered coat requires regular grooming and detangling.
Among the most mellow sporting breeds — gentle house dogs.
Deafness is breed-linked; BAER testing recommended.
Gear for English Setters
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for English Setters
Harness
for English Setters
Bed
for English Setters
Collar
for English Setters
Leash
for English Setters
Slow feeder bowl
for English Setters
Chew toy
for English Setters
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for English Setters
Matched to English Setter temperament (friendly, mellow, gentle).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for English Setters
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
English Setter questions, answered
How long do English Setters live?▾
How big do English Setters get?▾
How much exercise does a English Setter need?▾
What health problems do English Setters commonly have?▾
Are English Setters hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a English Setter?▾
Are English Setters good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your English Setter
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.