English Setter

Gentle bird dog

Calm at home, tireless in the field. Typically needs daily real exercise and weekly coat care.

largehigh energyapartment not idealexperienced ownershigh shedding

Size

large

Energy

high

Shedding

high

Barking

medium

Grooming

high

Trainability

high

Apartment

not ideal

First-time owner

experienced

Kid-friendly

high

Pet-friendly

high

Alone tolerance

medium

Monthly cost

high

Best for

Coat needs regular brushing and trimming; needs an outdoor outlet.

60+ minutes of running or field work daily.

Grooming: high. Shedding: high. Plan your brushing routine — and budget — around this.

Barking is typically medium. Trainability is high. Early socialization and consistent training go a long way.

Apartment fit: not ideal. Usually needs more space than an apartment can offer. Kid-friendliness is generally high.

Cost level: high. Costs typically scale with size, grooming, and likelihood of vet visits.

Heat tolerance is typically medium and cold tolerance is typically medium. Comfortable across a typical range of weather with sensible precautions.

Coat needs regular brushing and trimming; needs an outdoor outlet.

Educational matching content — not veterinary advice.

• Can I realistically meet the exercise and grooming demands every week, not just on weekends?
• Have I met adult dogs of this breed — not just puppies?
• If buying from a breeder, can they show health screening for the parents?
• Is there a breed-specific rescue near me? Adult dogs can be a great fit.
• What does my monthly budget look like for food, grooming, and routine vet care?
• Who handles the dog if I'm away or my schedule changes?