Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long English Setters Live. English Setter Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the English Setter Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in English Setter, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in English Setters
- How Old is Your English Setter in Human Years
- How Long Do English Setters Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your English Setter Live Long
- Conclusion on English Setter Life Expectancy
How Long English Setters Live. English Setter Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the English Setter is from 11 to 15 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the English Setter. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 384 pet English Setters lived.
From the study, it was found that English Setters have a average lifespan of 11.5 years. Furthermore, the study found that English Setters can live for as long as 20 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in English Setters.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in English Setters are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Infectious Disease: Problem caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your English Setter to make your English Setter live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your English Setter have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your English Setter is in human years? Then, check out our English Setter age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the English Setter Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the English Setter compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Tibetan Spaniel Lifespan | 14.40 |
| Norwich Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Vizsla Lifespan | 12.90 |
| Whippet Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Collie Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Maltese Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Labrador Retriever Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Field Spaniel Lifespan | 11.60 |
| Kerry Blue Terrier Lifespan | 11.50 |
| English Setter Lifespan | 11.50 |
| Portuguese Water Dog Lifespan | 11.40 |
| Briard Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Glen of Imaal Terrier Lifespan | 10.40 |
| Havanese Lifespan | 10.20 |
| Saint Bernard Lifespan | 7.00 |
| Mastiff Lifespan | 6.83 |
| Great Dane Lifespan | 6.50 |
Common Causes of Death in English Setter, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in English Setter, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your English Setter.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in English Setters
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 35.7 percent of all deaths in English Setters.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in English Setter
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in English Setters
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in English Setters (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in English Setters is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in English Setters is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in English Setters is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting English Setters with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your English Setter. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your English Setter`s gums look pale.
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Infectious Disease in English Setters
There are many types of infectious diseases: bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. Different diseases have different causes and they affect different parts of the body. For example, E. coli causes an infection in the intestines which can cause diarrhea in humans and dogs, whereas Demodex is a parasite on dog skin.
Infectious Disease is responsible for 14.8 percent of all deaths in English Setters.
Causes of Infectious Disease in English Setter
All infectious agents fall into two categories: the ones that invade the body from the outside, and the ones that are living in or on the body that experience an overgrowth. For example, staphylococcus aureus is a normal bacteria found on the skin; however, it can cause skin infections if its growth gets out of hand. Both types of infectious agents can be stopped by the body`s immune response. Internal infectious agents can also be prevented by probiotics.
How to Prevent Infectious Disease in English Setters
If your English Setter seems like they are not doing well, you should take them to the veterinarian so they can decide if your dog needs antibiotics, fluids, a dewormer, or other therapies. When your English Setter is well, you can support their immune health through nutrition, probiotics like this and vitamins.
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Neurologic Disease in English Setters
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 12.2 percent of all deaths in English Setters.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in English Setter
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in English Setters
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in English Setters
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 10.8 percent of all deaths in English Setters.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in English Setter
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your English Setter eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your English Setter stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your English Setter is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your English Setter has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in English Setters
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your English Setter`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in English Setters
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 10.8 percent of all deaths in English Setters.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in English Setter
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older English Setters are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, English Setters can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in English Setters
One way that you can help improve your English Setter`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your English Setter joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your English Setter to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young English Setters a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your English Setter`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your English Setter eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your English Setter is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your English Setter is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your English Setter on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in English Setters
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the English Setter is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your English Setter`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your English Setter`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in English Setter offsprings by only breeding English Setter that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your English Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your English Setter has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your English Setter for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your English Setter a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Setters for:
How Old is Your English Setter in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your English Setter. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your English Setter is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the English Setter is 11.5 years.
English Setters are medium-sized dogs. English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of English Setter in converting English Setter age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your English Setter`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your English Setter`s age in the calculator and it will compute your English Setter`s human age. If you do not know your English Setter`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your English Setter is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your English Setter`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your English Setter`s up-to-date human age.
English Setter Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a English Setter age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your English Setter`s human age based on your English Setter`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your English Setter`s human birthday! Try it out!
| English Setter Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | 26 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 37 |
| 6 | 42 |
| 7 | 46 |
| 8 | 50 |
| 9 | 54 |
| 10 | 58 |
| 11 | 62 |
| 12 | 66 |
| 13 | 71 |
| 14 | 75 |
| 15 | 80 |
| 16 | 85 |
How Long Do English Setters Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the English Setter is 11.5 years. In human years, the English Setter lives for 64 years.
How Old is 1-year-old English Setter in Human Years?
A 1-year old English Setter is 14 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old English Setter in Human Years?
A 4-year old English Setter is 32 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old English Setter in Human Years?
A 7-year old English Setter is 46 years old in human years.
How Old is 10-year-old English Setter in Human Years?
A 10-year old English Setter is 58 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your English Setter Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your English Setter live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your English Setter fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight English Setter does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight English Setter will have a shorter lifespan than a English Setter that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your English Setter high-quality dog food without overfeeding your English Setter. Check out our English Setter feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your English Setter from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your English Setter existence. Therefore, you should make sure your English Setter has access to clean water whenever your English Setter needs water. However, too much water is bad for your English Setter. See our English Setter water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your English Setter.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your English Setter might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your English Setter.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your English Setter is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your English Setter’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your English Setter teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on English Setter Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your English Setter`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.