Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are English Setters Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are English Setters Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are English Setters Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are English Setters Afraid of Strangers?
- Are English Setters Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do English Setters Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do English Setters Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are English Setters Easy to Train?
- Do English Setters Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do English Setters Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do English Setters have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are English Setters Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are English Setters Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are English Setters Playful? What is the Energy Level of English Setters
- Conclusion on English Setter Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the English Setter
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the English Setter out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the English Setter based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the English Setter breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of English Setter by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the English Setter.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the English Setter for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the English Setter.
The summary table below shows the score of the English Setter for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Owner Directed Aggression | 9.5 percent |
| Prey Drive | 62.8 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 6.0 percent |
| Stubbornness | 38.7 percent |
| Energy Level | 37.0 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 36.0 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 34.1 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 20.8 percent |
| Excitability | 20.3 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 16.6 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 15.1 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 15.1 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 11.1 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 10.5 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your English Setter`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your English Setter, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your English Setter.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are English Setters Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
English Setters are not aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for aggression towards strangers.
The English Setter ranks number 110 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 15.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not aggressive towards strangers just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 107 | Chinook | 16.0 % |
| 108 | Newfoundland | 15.8 % |
| 109 | Bulldog | 15.6 % |
| 110 | English Setter | 15.1 % |
| 111 | French Bulldog | 14.4 % |
| 112 | Bearded Collie | 14.2 % |
| 113 | Golden Retriever | 13.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are English Setters Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
English Setters are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the English Setter ranks low for aggression towards its owner.
The English Setter ranks number 87 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has an owner-directed-aggression score of 9.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | German Shepherd | 10.4 % |
| 85 | Giant Schnauzer | 10.3 % |
| 86 | Weimaraner | 10.2 % |
| 87 | English Setter | 9.5 % |
| 88 | Dingo | 9.5 % |
| 89 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 9.1 % |
| 90 | Ibizan Hound | 8.7 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are English Setters Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
English Setters are not aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.
The English Setter ranks number 109 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a dog-directed aggression score of 20.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | Italian Greyhound | 23.5 % |
| 107 | Basset Hound | 21.6 % |
| 108 | Pug | 21.4 % |
| 109 | English Setter | 20.8 % |
| 110 | Irish Setter | 20.7 % |
| 111 | Shetland Sheepdog | 20.3 % |
| 112 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 20.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are English Setters Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
English Setters are not fearful of strangers.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for fear of strangers.
The English Setter ranks number 106 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a stranger-directed-fear score of 10.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 103 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 11.3 % |
| 104 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 11.1 % |
| 105 | Borzoi | 10.7 % |
| 106 | English Setter | 10.5 % |
| 107 | Rottweiler | 10.5 % |
| 108 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 10.4 % |
| 109 | Anatolian Shepherd | 10.2 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are English Setters Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
English Setters are somewhat fearful of other dogs.
This is because the English Setter ranks average for fear of other dogs.
The English Setter ranks number 65 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a dog-directed-fear score of 36.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat other-dog-fearful just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | German Shepherd | 37.2 % |
| 63 | Alaskan Husky | 37.1 % |
| 64 | Shiba Inu | 36.7 % |
| 65 | English Setter | 36.0 % |
| 66 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 35.7 % |
| 67 | Greyhound | 34.9 % |
| 68 | Basset Hound | 33.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do English Setters Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
English Setters are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for non-social fear.
The English Setter ranks number 116 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a nonsocial-fear score of 6.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 12.0 % |
| 114 | Rottweiler | 6.2 % |
| 115 | Portuguese Water Dog | 6.1 % |
| 116 | English Setter | 6.0 % |
| 117 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 5.9 % |
| 118 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 5.7 % |
| 119 | Eurasier | 5.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do English Setters Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
English Setters are a little bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the English Setter ranks low on dog rivalry.
The English Setter ranks number 73 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a dog-rivalry score of 34.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit competition-driven just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Irish Setter | 34.4 % |
| 71 | Belgian Sheepdog | 34.2 % |
| 72 | Siberian Husky | 34.2 % |
| 73 | English Setter | 34.1 % |
| 74 | Great Pyrenees | 34.0 % |
| 75 | Airedale Terrier | 33.7 % |
| 76 | Chow Chow | 33.4 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are English Setters Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
English Setters are a little bit easy to train.
This is because the English Setter ranks low for trainability.
The English Setter ranks number 73 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the trainability of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a trainability score of 61.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit easy to train just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Kuvasz | 62.4 % |
| 71 | Boston Terrier | 62.1 % |
| 72 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 61.9 % |
| 73 | English Setter | 61.3 % |
| 74 | Jack Russell Terrier | 60.9 % |
| 75 | Alaskan Malamute | 60.6 % |
| 76 | Italian Greyhound | 60.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the English Setter is and how the intelligence of the English Setter affects its trainability in this article on how smart the English Setter is.
Do English Setters Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
English Setters are quite a bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the English Setter ranks high for small-pet-chasing.
The English Setter ranks number 35 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a chasing score of 62.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Standard Schnauzer | 63.7 % |
| 33 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 63.3 % |
| 34 | Alaskan Husky | 63.0 % |
| 35 | English Setter | 62.8 % |
| 36 | Giant Schnauzer | 62.4 % |
| 37 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 62.3 % |
| 38 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 62.2 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do English Setters Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
English Setters are not attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The English Setter ranks number 121 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 11.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not attachment/attention-seeking just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 118 | Shiba Inu | 16.6 % |
| 119 | Scottish Terrier | 15.5 % |
| 120 | Chow Chow | 12.0 % |
| 121 | English Setter | 11.1 % |
| 122 | Kuvasz | 10.8 % |
| 123 | Borzoi | 1.1 % |
| 124 | Norwegian Elkhound | 0.0 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do English Setters have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
English Setters are not prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The English Setter ranks number 109 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a separation anxiety score of 16.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | Irish Setter | 20.7 % |
| 107 | Cairn Terrier | 17.9 % |
| 108 | Rottweiler | 17.3 % |
| 109 | English Setter | 16.6 % |
| 110 | Irish Wolfhound | 16.6 % |
| 111 | Collie | 16.5 % |
| 112 | Golden Retriever | 16.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are English Setters Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
English Setters are not touch-sensitive.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for touch sensitivity.
The English Setter ranks number 114 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has a touch-sensitivity score of 15.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not touch-sensitive just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Chinook | 15.8 % |
| 112 | Boxer | 15.4 % |
| 113 | Poodle (Standard) | 15.4 % |
| 114 | English Setter | 15.1 % |
| 115 | Golden Retriever | 14.5 % |
| 116 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 13.5 % |
| 117 | Saint Bernard | 12.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are English Setters Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
English Setters are not hyper (excitable).
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for excitability.
The English Setter ranks number 115 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has an excitability score of 20.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are not excitable just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Afghan Hound | 22.4 % |
| 113 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 20.5 % |
| 114 | Dingo | 20.4 % |
| 115 | English Setter | 20.3 % |
| 116 | Kuvasz | 18.1 % |
| 117 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 16.9 % |
| 118 | Eurasier | 15.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are English Setters Playful? What is the Energy Level of English Setters
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
English Setters are not energetic.
This is because the English Setter ranks very low for energy level.
The English Setter ranks number 99 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 59 English Setter owners reported on the temperament of their English Setter in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the English Setter has an energy-level score of 37.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the English Setter are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | Bullmastiff | 40.1 % |
| 97 | Collie | 38.7 % |
| 98 | Keeshond | 37.4 % |
| 99 | English Setter | 37.0 % |
| 100 | Great Dane | 36.5 % |
| 101 | Akita | 34.1 % |
| 102 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 33.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on English Setter Temperament
The temperament of your English Setter comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your English Setter is exposed to.
You cannot change your English Setter`s gene but you can change the things you expose your English Setter to.
Exposing your English Setter to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your English Setter to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your English Setter`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your English Setter.
If you think the English Setter is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much English Setters cost and English Setter puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable English Setter breeders in the United States and the prices of their English Setter puppies.