Discovering Llewellin Setter History and Characteristics

The Llewellin Setter is a breed with a rich history, dating back to the 19th century. It was developed from the English Setter and the Pointer.

Their origins can be traced back to the English countryside, where they were bred to excel in hunting game birds. This breed's purpose was to be a skilled and agile hunter.

The Llewellin Setter's name is a nod to the breed's creator, Colonel Edward Llewellin. He was an avid hunter and breeder who aimed to create a dog that could keep up with the demands of hunting.

These dogs were known for their intelligence, athleticism, and strong prey drive, making them well-suited for their purpose.

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The Llewellin Setter has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s, named after its founder Richard Purcell Llewellin, who sought to develop a superior hunting dog.

Llewellin's goal was to create a bird dog without physical exaggerations, focusing on working ability rather than appearance, which led to the development of a smaller, more agile dog with greater stamina.

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The Llewellin Setter is often described as the premier quail hunting breed, and its working ability is unmatched.

Many gundog enthusiasts refer to show-style English Setters as Laveracks and working English Setters as field setters or Llewellins, highlighting the distinction between the two.

The English Setter breed has a long history, with evidence suggesting it originated in England over 400 years ago as a trained bird dog.

The breed was developed from crosses of the Spanish Pointer, large Water Spaniel, and English Springer Spaniel, producing an excellent bird dog with high proficiency in finding and pointing game.

In the 1500s, English Setters were popular bird dogs, and by the 17th century, they had become established on British estates.

The breed's evolution into specific individual breeds, including the Llewellin Setter, occurred at a later date, with breeders segregating matings to dogs adapted to the terrain they worked on.

The English Setter's name comes from its perfectly still sitting position, or "set", around prey, which it has been doing since the 14th century.

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The breed's specific origin isn't entirely known, but some experts believe it came about in France when a Spanish Pointer crossed with a French Pointer.

Edward Laverack began developing the breed in 1825, and his setters were known for their field capabilities, which were later crossed with other English Setters to create the Llewellin Setter.

Broaden your view: English Pointer History

The Llewellin Setter's coat is a beautiful feature of the breed, and it's worth noting that they have medium-length soft feathered coats.

These coats are a joy to touch and come in a variety of colors, including black, white, and tan, as well as several belton patterns.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a Llewellin Setter is that pups are born without any ticking or belton coloring, and develop those markings as they age.

The belton patterns can be particularly striking, and include blue, lemon, orange, or liver belton, as well as combinations of these colors.

Overall, the Llewellin Setter's coat is a stunning aspect of the breed, and with proper care, it will remain beautiful and healthy for years to come.

Expand your knowledge: English Setter Colors Tri-color

The Llewellin Setter is a quick learner, making training a breeze. They thrive on positive reinforcement and varied training sessions that keep them engaged.

Early socialization is crucial for any dog, and the Llewellin is no exception. Helping them feel comfortable with different people and environments when they're young will help them grow into well-adjusted adult dogs.

Llewellin Setters are known for being intelligent and quick to learn, making them a joy to train. They're often described as "100-hour dogs" because of their innate ability to find birds.

With the right training and socialization, Llewellin Setters can become top-notch bird dogs. They're known for their biddable nature and ability to retrieve reliably with development.

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The Llewellin Setter is known for being a quick learner, so training sessions should be fun and varied for the best results.

Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and help your Llewellin Setter grow into a well-adjusted adult dog.

Early socialization is crucial for all dogs, and the Llewellin Setter is no exception. Helping them feel comfortable with different people and environments when they're young will pay off in the long run.

A good quality pedigree is important, but it's not the only factor in a Llewellin Setter's trainability. They are easy to train because they want to please, and their natural ability will come out with bird exposure.

You can look for key qualities in your Llewellin Setter puppy, such as a human-centric mindset and a love for water, to indicate their potential as a top-notch bird dog.

Llewellin Setters are known to vary their range and pace depending on the cover. They can perform in a completely different way, from working 20 to 50 yards in front of their handler to ranging out 50 to 200 yards in open country.

In the woods, Llewellin Setters typically hunt at a pace of three to 6.5 mph. In open country, they can hunt much faster, up to 10 mph. Some breeders select for even faster dogs that can hunt at speeds of seven to 10 mph.

Llewellin Setters are naturally talented in the field, with a strong innate ability to find birds. They have a lot of natural ability, which makes them excel in field trials. With trialing, they know when to stretch out in the field or stay close and work thicker cover.

Their ability to adapt to different hunting situations makes them a valuable asset for hunters. Whether working in tight cover or open country, Llewellin Setters can perform with ease. Their versatility and intelligence make them a popular choice among hunting enthusiasts.

For another approach, see: Irish Setter Hunting Dog

Setter Clubs have been a significant part of Llewellin Setter history, with many clubs dedicated to preserving and promoting the breed.

The first Llewellin Setter club was established in England in 1885, marking the beginning of a long tradition of Setter enthusiasts coming together to share knowledge and passion for the breed.

Llewellin Setters were highly valued by hunting clubs due to their exceptional hunting ability, which led to their widespread use in field trials and hunting competitions.

One notable feature of Setter Clubs is their emphasis on breeding and training Llewellin Setters for their original purpose: hunting small game.

Setter Clubs often host events and competitions that showcase the breed's hunting prowess, such as field trials and hunting tests.

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