‘Setter’ refers to the hunting style of this gundog type. A Setter follows the scent of gamebirds and will hold its head high to catch the scent in the air, rather than on the ground. When the dog finds a bird, the dog will then set—or crouch—in front of the bird. The bird will stay in place in an attempt to avoid detection, which gives the hunters the opportunity to dispatch the quarry.
A field bred Setter line prioritizes hunting ability over looks. Dogs from field bloodlines may be smaller, leaner, and have features that don’t match the breed standard. Some breeders of field bred Setters may begin to train dogs for hunting before sending them home with their new owners. Bench bred dogs may have less hunting ability, as the goal is to produce puppies with an appearance as close to breed standard as possible. Though breed standard includes ‘capable of doing a full day’s work in the field,’ appearance and substance often outweigh the dog’s hunting ability in the show ring.
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