Mixed Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: high
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  • Shedding Level: moderate
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  • Grooming Level: moderate
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  • Trainability: high
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  • Good for Novice Owners: high
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  • Adaptability: moderate
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  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
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  • Prey Drive: high
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  • Watchdog: aware
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  • Average Size: Medium
  • Average Lifespan: 11-15 years

English Setter Mix Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

An English Setter Mix is a cross between an English Setter and another dog breed. Because a mixed-breed dog can take on any combination of characteristics from their parents, it’s important to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix.

If an English Setter Mix takes after their Setter parent, they will grow to be a sporty and athletic medium-sized dog with a lot of energy and a playful personality.

English Setters tend to be loving, affectionate dogs. They are known for their gentle dispositions, but are also known to be mischievous at times. They tend to get along well with children and other dogs, but tend to have a high prey drive.

If an English Setter Mix takes after their English Setter parent, then you can expect a similar temperament. The other parent breed will introduce their own quirks that could affect temperament, so it’s important to ask the breeder about them.

You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started socialization and training, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home.

An English Setter is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their high energy tends to make them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and may need some winter dog products to stay warm when temperatures drop. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

Should they take after their Setter parent, you can expect similar adaptability from an English Setter Mix. You do still want to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. They will introduce their own traits that could affect adaptability and you want to be aware of what those potential combinations could be.

Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? They can be sometimes, but it all depends on genetics, luck, and good breeding practices. Just as a mixed-breed could inherit none of the health conditions common to their parents, they could end up inheriting some or all of them.

From the English Setter side, potential health concerns to be aware of include thyroid problems, eye conditions, hip dysplasia, and congenital deafness. English Setters are also prone to having allergies.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done.

English Setters are intelligent dogs that pick up on things quickly, are eager to please, and are in tune with their owners. Although they tend to be easy to train, their high energy can be a challenge for first-time dog owners to handle alone. So, it’s recommended to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes unless you have experience training high-energy dog breeds.

A mixed-breed can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both of them. Should an English Setter Mix inherit the Setter coat, they will shed moderately year-round and heavier as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and a bath every 4-6 weeks is usually enough to keep an English Setter coat healthy and looking great.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your English Setter Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting your dog’s nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed helps prevent ear infections. Although dental care for dogs is often overlooked, daily brushing or use of an enzyme toothpaste helps prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

English Setters are high-energy dogs that require daily walks, playtime, and time to run to be happy and healthy. Plus, they tend to be up for even more activity if you are.

If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog, then you should an English Setter Mix to be high energy as well. If the other parent breed has lower activity levels and exercise requirements, an English Setter Mix could be similar, but you will still need to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog.

A fully-grown English Setter Mix usually stands 23-27 inches tall and weighs 40-80 pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so it is important to ask the breeder about them.

Although it is not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother in person. This can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown English Setter Mix.

English Setters generally live for 11-15 years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span for an English Setter Mix.