setter: see sporting dog.

Irish setter, breed of large sporting dog developed in Ireland in the 18th cent. It stands about 26 in. (66.0 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 70 lb (22.7-31.8 kg). Its moderately long, silky coat is flat or slightly wavy and forms fringes of longer hair, or feathers, on the ears, chest, belly, back of legs, and tail. The American variety is a solid chestnut red or mahogany color, while its Irish counterpart is often parti-colored—red and white. Although originally bred as a field hunter and still used in that capacity today, the striking appearance of the Irish setter has led many breeders to strive for bench-competition excellence rather than field ability. See dog.

Gordon setter, breed of large sporting dog developed over centuries in Scotland and brought to prominence there by the fourth duke of Gordon in the early 1800s. It stands from 23 to 27 in. (58.4-68.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 45 to 75 lb (20.4-34.1 kg). The flat or slightly wavy coat is long and shiny and forms fringes, or feathers, of longer hair on the ears, chest, underside of body, back of legs, and tail. It is coal black in color with tan markings, usually chestnut or mahogany, on the head, throat, chest, and inside of hind legs. The Gordon was introduced into the United States by Daniel Webster and his friend George Blunt in 1842, and since then the breed's popularity has spread widely. Although slower than the other setters, it hunts with great accuracy and endurance. See dog.

English setter, breed of large sporting dog developed over hundreds of years in England. It stands about 25 in. (63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 60 lb (27.2 kg). Its flat or slightly wavy coat of medium-length, silky hair forms fringes of longer hair, or feathers, on the dog's underside, ears, chest, legs, and tail. Its coat may be colored black, tan, and white; combinations of lemon, liver, orange, blue, or black with white; and solid white. A coloration composed of white flecked with another color is called belton. Although setters were originally trained to crouch down, or set, in front of game to allow the hunter to capture it with a net, the increasing popularity of shooting game birds on the wing led to the training of setters to point. They are so trained today. See dog.

Any of three breeds derived from a medieval hunting dog that would set (lie down) when it found birds so that it and the birds could be covered with a net. Setters have long hair on the ears, chest, legs, and tail. They weigh 44–70 lbs (20–32 kg) and stand 23–27 in. (58–69 cm). The English setter, developed in the 15th century, may be all white, black and white-and-tan, or white with dark flecks. The Gordon setter originated in 17th-century Scotland; its soft, wavy coat is black with tan markings. The Irish setter, bred in Ireland in the 18th-cent, has a straight red coat.

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