Dog Breed Llewellin Setter: A Comprehensive Guide

The Llewellin Setter is a versatile and energetic dog breed that excels in various roles, including hunting and family companionship.

Originally bred in the 19th century by English gamekeeper Edward Llewellin, this breed was designed to be a skilled gun dog.

With their strong prey drive and keen sense of smell, Llewellin Setters are natural hunters that thrive on physical and mental stimulation.

They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

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A Llewellin Setter is a dog breed that's known for its athletic build and striking appearance. They typically stand between 22 and 24 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their weight varies by gender, with females ranging from 35 to 50 pounds and males weighing between 45 to 60 pounds on average.

The Llewellin Setter has a single-coated, soft, and fine coat that's medium to long in length, with feathering on the chest, back of the legs, ears, and tail.

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The Llewellin Setter is a medium-sized dog with a strong, athletic build. They have a deep chest and a back that's slightly longer than they are tall.

Their heads are fairly long, but in proportion to the rest of their body, with a well-developed muzzle that's both deep and broad. Their eyes can be oval or almond-shaped and come in a variety of colors, including brown, green, or amber.

Here are some key physical characteristics to look out for:

They have a single-coated, soft, fine, silky hair that's medium to long in length. Feathering is present on the chest, back of the legs, ears, and tail.

The Llewellin Setter is a dog breed known for its distinctive physical traits. They have a medium-sized build with a strong, athletic body.

Their heads are fairly long, but in proportion to the rest of the body, with a well-developed muzzle that is both deep and broad. Their eyes are oval or almond shaped and can come in a variety of colors, including brown, green, or amber.

The Llewellin Setter's ears are a notable feature, being moderately-sized and set well back on the skull, hanging flat or in folds by the sides of the head. They also have a high tail posture, which helps them to be seen in tall grass and brush.

Here are some key physical characteristics of the Llewellin Setter:

Their coat is designed to be easy to maintain, with a low shedding period and a quality that allows it to pull out when running through tall grasses. This makes it easier to get rid of parasites like giant cockleburs.

The Llewellin Setter's coat is a beautiful feature of this breed. They have medium-length soft feathered coats that require regular grooming to prevent tangles and mats.

These dogs come in a variety of colors, including black, white, and tan; black and white; lemon and white; orange and white; liver and white; blue, lemon, orange, or liver belton; and solid white.

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Pups are born without any ticking or belton coloring, and develop those markings as they age. This is a fun process to watch, as you get to see your puppy grow and change over time.

The Llewellin Setter's coat is a medium-length soft feathered coat, which means it needs regular brushing to stay healthy and looking its best.

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The Llewellin Setter is a breed known for its fantastic personality, being highly cooperative and hard-working. They're a joy to have around the house, with a calm demeanor that makes them great family dogs.

Llewellins are methodical hunters, slowly moving through a section of cover and always staying within earshot of their hunting partner. This style of hunting keeps them active for long hunts.

In the home, Llewellins are mild-mannered, sweet canines with a strong desire to be in the company of people. They're generally aware enough of their surroundings to keep from knocking over smaller kids, but they can be difficult to housetrain.

Llewellins are people-oriented and loyal, with a high desire to please their owners. They tend to create a strong bond with their human companion and crave human interaction on a daily basis.

Here are some key traits of the Llewellin Setter temperament:

Llewellins are generally not water dogs, but with training, they can learn to love water retrieves. They're versatile and can adapt to different hunting environments, from the open plains to heavy cover.

The Llewellin Setter's grooming needs are relatively low maintenance, but it's essential to keep an eye on their feathering to prevent matting. Regular brushing with a soft-bristled hair brush at least once a week can help remove debris and dirt.

Their single-layered coat makes them a great choice for those who don't want to deal with excessive grooming. However, it's crucial to use the right tools - a wire slicker brush is not recommended as it can scratch the skin.

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Ear problems can arise due to the Llewellin Setter's anatomy, so regular checks are necessary to catch any issues early. Look out for brown waxy discharge and/or foul smell, which could indicate a yeast infection brewing.

Here's a quick guide to ear care:

Toe nail care is also important, especially considering the Llewellin Setter's love of running. Keeping toenails short can prevent breakage and painful tears.

Llewellin Setters are generally healthy dogs, but they can be prone to Elbow & Hip dysplasia, which can be mitigated with proper breeding practices.

To keep your Llewellin at its best, it needs plenty of mental stimulation and exercise to burn energy. This breed requires regular physical activity to prevent boredom and mischievous behavior.

If you live in a small apartment and don't get out much, a Llewellin might not be the best fit for you. They need space to run around and engage in activities to stay happy and healthy.

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When it comes to grooming your Llewellin, you'll want to start with their single-layered coat. It doesn't require a lot of grooming, but you should brush it at least once a week to remove debris and dirt.

You'll want to use a soft-bristled hair brush for this, as wire slicker brushes can scratch the skin and cause problems. Just brush the body, paying attention to any areas that might be prone to matting.

Their feathering, on the other hand, needs a bit more attention. Use a wide-tooth metal comb or rake to prevent matting, especially behind the ears, chest, and tail.

Don't forget to check their ears regularly for brown waxy discharge or a foul smell, which can indicate a yeast infection. If you notice either of these symptoms, use ear cleaning solution and massage the canal to break up any waxy buildup.

After cleaning, use cotton balls to soak up the solution and wipe out the inside of the ear to remove any gunk. If the infection persists, you'll need to seek veterinary treatment.

To keep their toe nails healthy, keep them short to prevent breakage. This is especially important for Llewellins, who love to run and can easily get their nails caught on something.

For white nails, it's easy to see the quick bed inside and avoid cutting it. For black nails, start by shaving off the nail at the tip and working backwards towards the quick a little at a time until the bed starts to become soft inside.

If you're not comfortable trimming your Llewellin's nails yourself, don't hesitate to ask your vet for help.

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Training a Llewellin Setter requires patience and confidence. They're intelligent and quick learners, but can be mischievous if not handled properly.

To keep training exciting, try to keep sessions short and fun. Llewellin Setters respond well to calm routines and positive reinforcement.

Regular grooming is essential for this breed, as their long fur can become matted if not brushed frequently. Aim to brush your Llewellin Setter at least three to four times a week, or daily if possible.

Early socialization is crucial for any dog, and Llewellin Setters are no exception. Help your young pup feel comfortable with different people and environments to ensure they grow into well-adjusted adult dogs.

Training is key to raising a well-behaved and happy Llewellin Setter. These dogs are quick learners, and with positive reinforcement, you can encourage good behavior. Keep training sessions fun and varied to keep them engaged.

Llewellin Setters are naturally intelligent and methodical hunters, so their training needs to help foster that inherent behavior. This means providing them with a calm routine and confident leadership during training.

Early socialization is essential for all dogs, and Llewellins are no exception. Helping them feel comfortable with different people and environments when they're young will help them grow into well-adjusted adult dogs.

To provide your Llewellin Setter with the best possible training experience, remember to:

By following these tips, you can help your Llewellin Setter become a happy and well-behaved companion.

Breed Maintenance is a crucial aspect of owning a Llewellin Setter. Regular grooming is essential to keep them looking and feeling their best.

Bathing this dog every six to eight weeks helps to control the slight doggie odor. This is also an excellent time to trim and tidy the coat.

Brushing your Llewellin Setter frequently, at least three to four times a week, is necessary to control their moderate shedding and prevent tangles or mats from forming.

The Llewellin Setter is a versatile breed that excels in hunting and companionship. Its high energy level requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Compared to other breeds, the Llewellin Setter is generally smaller in size, weighing between 45-65 pounds and standing between 21-24 inches tall. Its compact build makes it an ideal companion for families with smaller living spaces.

In terms of grooming, the Llewellin Setter has a short, smooth coat that requires minimal maintenance, making it a great choice for busy owners.

If you're curious about your dog's breed group, you can check out Wisdom Panel's DNA tests.

The Llewellin Setter is a great example of a breed that falls into a specific breed group.

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A Llewellin Setter is actually an English Setter, but not all English Setters are Llewellin Setters. They were bred to be smaller and have more stamina to hunt all day long.

One key difference between English Setters and Llewellin Setters is their size, with Llewellin Setters being generally smaller. They're also better suited for hunting in dense cover and can handle the heat a bit better.

English Setters, on the other hand, may not always have the same level of stamina as Llewellin Setters. They can still be great hunting dogs, but they might not be able to keep up with the demands of a long hunt in dense cover.

Llewellin Setters are closer-ranging dogs, which makes them well-suited for hunting in dense areas. Their smaller ears also help them handle the heat better, which is why many American hunters used them for Quail in the south.

Purebred vs Llewellin-type dogs can be confusing, but it's essential to understand the difference. The key lies in their ancestry and conformation.

To be a purebred Llewellin, a dog must have Verified Identifiable Parentage (VIP) DNA, which is only possible through DNA testing of the dog's cheek cells. This is done by The American Field (FDSB registry) in conjunction with the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab.

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There are significant differences between purebred Llewellins and "Llewellin-type" setters. Pure Llewellins are smaller in stature, have a rounder muzzle, shorter ears, and a shorter coat with thinner feathers.

Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

It's essential to note that just because a dog is a field-type English Setter and referred to as "Llewellin-type" does not mean it's a purebred Llewellin. The proof lies in the DNA.

When it comes to understanding the breed standards of the Llewellin Setter, height is a key factor. The measurement is usually between 22 and 24 inches at the shoulder.

The Llewellin Setter bloodlines tend to be somewhat smaller than their English Setter counterparts, which can reach heights of 23 to 27 inches for show purposes.

In terms of weight, females typically range between 35 to 50 pounds, while males average between 45 to 60 pounds.

Here's a quick comparison of the height and weight standards for Llewellin Setters:

The Llewellin Setter's coat is another important aspect of the breed standard. It's single-coated, with soft, fine, silky hair that's medium to long in length. Feathering is present on the chest, back of the legs, ears, and tail.

One notable feature of the Llewellin Setter's coat is that it sheds continually, but not in large clumps like double-coated breeds. This makes it easier to groom after a hunt.

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