Health Issues. Overall a very healthy dog they only have a few illnesses that they are prone to these can include hip dysplasia, deafness, phantom pregnancy's (only in females) and thyroidism. They are also susceptible to skin problems and ear infections, English Setters also gain weight very easily so it's important not to overfeed them or let them become greedy. The average lifespan for English Setters is 10-12 years.

Grooming. The level of grooming required for an English Setter depends on whether it's a working dog or a show dog. Although the same breed, the working dog has less fur overall and most of the excess feathering is trimmed down and the coat shortened, if this is the case then regular brushing to keep the coat clean and to remove any debris is all that's needed. However show dogs, whose coats are noticeably longer require more intense grooming. They need to be brushed daily to remove any tangles and to keep the hair looking its best. For both working and show dogs it's also important to trim the hair between the pads of their feet as, if the fur is left, it can lead to splayed toes.

Living Conditions. English Setters are not suited to apartment life and would do much better with an average sized garden. They need long daily walks or jogs or they can become restless and difficult to manage. A fair sized garden, that is fenced in, so they can run as much as they like would be ideal as well. Although inside the house they can be rather lethargic and just lay about its important to remember they are energetic dogs that need to run off their excess energy.