The modern Setter is said to be descended from Spaniels, which had been trained to stop and point birds instead of flushing them. Our present day Setters can be attributed largely to Edward Laverack. Mr. Laverack created a strain of Setters which were as famous for their field qualities as for their beauty.
Mr. R.L. Purcell Llewellin, who for several years had been experimenting with various families of Setters, purchased a number of Mr.Laverack's best bred dogs. These Laveracks, he crossed with the strain known as Duke-Rhoebe. this was the most important cross in the development of the Field English Setter- the Duke-Rhoebe-Laverack cross. This cross provided the sportsman of the late 1800's a Setter with boldness, stamina and pointing instinct not known prior to this time. The Llewellin is based on this cross. According to the Field Dog Stud Book (FDSB), to be a FDSB registered "Llewellin", and English Setter must be 100% Duke/Rhoebe-Laverack. No other blood is allowed. Any Llewellin Setters bred to English Setters must be registered as English Setters.
The result of these crosses was eminently successful, particularly at field trials, and swept everything before them. Their reputation spread America, and sportsmen in different sections of the United States and Canada purchased many, so that this line of breeding soon became firmly established in the United States.
About Llewellin Setters
The English Setter is one of the most handsome of sporting dogs. Their abundant coats give them an advantage over the pointer in facing cold, wet, windy weather or burdocks and briars in a rough country. Their admirers also claim they possess more speed and agility, do not gain weight as quickly with ages as the pointer and that they improve their work from year to year. In addition, they possess the sweetest and most companionability of dispositions.
Weight and colour have always been minor importance. Every aspect of the Llewellins are geared toward their performance in the field and as a result of the devotion to their ability in the field, no physical standard has ever been written.
Traits: Intelligent, strong natural abilities, a desire to please, willingness to work for the gun and a companion disposition. You can make a pet of these dogs and you wont have a bit of trouble with them in the field. Their disposition contributes to the dog's easy handling.
Pups that are born all white, except any large spots will eventually develop small black, orange or chestnut ticks (very small spots) all over their bodies. When older, these pups will end up with a great number of ticks and are called "beltons" (blue belton, orange belton, or chestnut belton). Blue refers to black hair that mingles with the white surrounding hair to form bluish-gray colouring. Ticking will not be completed until a pup is about nine months old. All large spots will show up on a pup at the time of birth. Any pups with larger spots on the body, and/or partially or solid heads are not referred to as a belton. Adult weight averages around 40 to 50 pounds and height is about 22 to 24 inches with females being slightly smaller.
The modern Setter is said to be descended from Spaniels, which had been trained to stop and point birds instead of flushing them. Our present day Setters can be attributed largely to Edward Laverack. Mr. Laverack created a strain of Setters which were as famous for their field qualities as for their beauty.
The English Setter is one of the most handsome of sporting dogs. Their abundant coats give them an advantage over the pointer in facing cold, wet, windy weather or burdocks and briars in a rough country. Their admirers also claim they possess more speed and agility, do not gain weight as quickly with ages as the pointer and that they improve their work from year to year. In addition, they possess the sweetest and most companionability of dispositions.
Pups that are born all white, except any large spots will eventually develop small black, orange or chestnut ticks (very small spots) all over their bodies. When older, these pups will end up with a great number of ticks and are called "beltons" (blue belton, orange belton, or chestnut belton). Blue refers to black hair that mingles with the white surrounding hair to form bluish-gray colouring. Ticking will not be completed until a pup is about nine months old. All large spots will show up on a pup at the time of birth. Any pups with larger spots on the body, and/or partially or solid heads are not referred to as a belton. Adult weight averages around 40 to 50 pounds and height is about 22 to 24 inches with females being slightly smaller.
