The English Setter is a dog with an ancient history that many believe originated in Spain. It is believed to be a cross between the Spanish Pointer and some type of spaniel. The result over time has been a dog known for a great working range, retrieving abilities, and a highly effective animal in the water.

Although it has not been as successful as some other pointer dogs in field trials, many people love these dogs because of their pleasant disposition. This alone has allowed them to become a very popular dog for many hunters. It is also worth noting that even though hunters generally prefer pointers over English setters, you can still find Setters that perform as well as or better than their pointer counterparts.

In addition, many hunters actually prefer the setter over a pointer because they range closer. These dogs have been used in the North and South of the US, but they tend to work more comfortably in colder weather environments.

The English Setter also has the added benefit of being a very attractive dog. Many hunters want their hunting dogs to look good which is another advantage of getting an English Setter.

This dog is also well suited to hunting pheasants for two reasons:

1. The dog is a smart dog that knows to run wide of the birds to work them back into the guns. This is important because other dogs will blindly cause wild flushing which is of no benefit to hunters.

2. These dogs do not mind working in the water. This is very important in the North where many pheasants gather around water areas. The ability for these dogs to eagerly get wet allows them to be very effective hunting dogs.

There are also some things you should consider when choosing these dogs for selection:

1. Recognize that they will not be as strong across the chest as other choice pointer dogs. Therefore, you do not have to be as particular with this characteristic.

2. Avoid getting dogs that are overly tall and thin as these setters are more suited to shows rather than hunting.

3. Expect to find these dogs to be slightly lighter than their pointer counterparts. Most attribute this weight difference to the lesser musculature.

By keeping these tips in mind, you should have a good idea of where best to use English Setters. Their reputation as a solid bird dog is well deserved making them a fine choice for many sportsmen.