Llewellin Setter

		Llewellin Setter
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Llewellin Setter

The Llewellin Setter is considered by some to be a distinct breed from the English Setter, while others claim it is a specific strain within the breed. Originally developed by a Welshman named R. Purcell Llewellin from stock obtained from the breeder who originally refined the English Setter, Edward Lavarack, the Setter Llewellin also has a small infusion of Gordon and other Setters. This small contribution has given the Setter developed by Llewellin a slightly smaller stature on average, as well as slightly shorter ears, and a tendency to be closer to the hunter than the dogs developed by Lavarack.

History of the Llewellin Setter

The status of the Llewellin Setter as a breed, rather than as a type or variety within the breed, is somewhat controversial. Based on writings and artwork from the 15th and 16th centuries, the English Setter breed was originally developed as a versatile hunting dog over 400 years ago, but it wasn't until the 19th century that the breed was refined. Much of the breed's refinement can be attributed to a breeder named Edward Lavarack in England who wrote a book in 1872 that he called The Setter, a book that was used to establish the official English Setter standard. Before Lavarack wrote his book, in 1861 a Welsh breeder named R. Purcell Llewellin obtained English Setters from Lavarack's kennels to start his breeding program, and in 1871 he obtained two stallions named Dan and Dick to add to his kennel. Dan and Dick were descendants of Duke, an English Spaniel, and Rhoebe, an English Spaniel from a line that included Gordon Spaniels with the possibility of other Spaniels as well. Llewellin bred these two stallions to the English Setters that came from Edward Levarack, which had a small effect on the breed's physiology and temperament. This small inclusion of genetics from another breed is the crux of the matter, with some enthusiasts saying that the differences are distinct enough to separate the two, sometimes citing evidence that a number of Llewellin Setters don't quite match the breed standard, while others argue that the contributions from other breeds were far too small to have made significant changes. and that the Llewellin Setter is a specific line within the English Setter breed, rather than a breed in its own right.

Appearance of the Llewellin Setter

This is a medium-sized Setter-type dog with a strong, athletic build, deep chest and slightly longer back than the dog is tall. Their head is fairly long, but overall in proportion to the rest of the body, with a well-developed muzzle that is both deep and broad. This dog's eyes tend to be oval or almond-shaped and can be almost any color, including brown, green or amber, and their medium-length hanging ears are set well back on the skull and hang flat or folded by the sides of the head. The Llewellin Setter is sometimes indistinguishable from the Lavarack line of English Setter commonly seen at dog shows, but breeders and sportsmen report that Llewellin Setters tend to be slightly smaller than the Lavarack line, with a tendency to slightly shorter ears, and a higher tolerance for hot climates.

Temperament of the Llewellin Setter

The Llewellin Setter in the field is an enduring dog with a natural desire to find and retrieve birds. Hunting enthusiasts report that they tend to be closer than the Lavarack strain of Setter and check more frequently with the hunter. The Llewellin Setter at home is a gentle, pleasant dog with a strong desire to be in people's company. Although they're sporty and playful enough to keep up with even the most active children, they're also usually aware enough of their surroundings to avoid knocking over smaller ones. They can be difficult to train, in fact, despite their friendly temperament and natural ability in the field, they can be hard to train in general when it comes to anything but hunting. Their affection doesn't always translate into a desire to please, and they can be both stubborn and manipulative, which makes calm, consistent training most effective, especially if it starts early in life.

Needs and activities of the Llewellin Setter

Although this breed is not as active indoors as many other working dogs, they are still working dogs. To be at their happiest and healthiest mentally and physically, they should get at least forty-five minutes to an hour of vigorous exercise every day, and they should also benefit from some form of mental stimulation. In addition to regular walks and jogs, these dogs can enjoy alternative activities such as rally sports, flyball and hunting trials. They are not prone to excessive vocalization, so if they get enough extra exercise, they may be able to adapt to apartment living, but are much better suited to a larger home with a yard.

Maintenance of the Llewellin Setter

The Llewellin Setter requires a little more grooming than many other breeds due to their long, fine coat and slight doggy odor. Bathing this dog every six to eight weeks helps to control the odor, and many pet owners find that this is also an excellent time to trim and tidy the coat. To control the dog's moderate shedding and prevent knots or matting, this dog should be brushed frequently, at least three to four times a week, if not daily.