Setters by nature are affectionate and sensitive, making them one of the friendliest breeds around. Whether it’s a dog or a human, they’ll never turn down the opportunity to make a new friend. This makes them great for families who have young children or even other dogs. 

If you’re looking to get a dog for the first time and are considering a Setter, it’s worth noting that these guys are part of the Gundog family. So they’ll need plenty of daily exercise. 

How much exercise does an adult English Setter need? 

An English Setter will need around 90 minutes of daily exercise to stay happy, healthy, and well stimulated, but this doesn’t have to be just walking. Playing games with your dog counts towards their overall amount of exercise in a day and is a great alternative as it gets them using and stimulating their brains more too.

Not sure how much exercise your dog is getting in a day or how much they need? PitPat can tell you both! We’ll let you know how much exercise your dog needs and how much running, walking, playing, pottering, and sleeping they’ve done in a day. All for just £39. 

How much exercise does an English Setter puppy need? 

English Setters are pretty active as pups, but you should try and keep their formal walkies to just five minutes for each month of their age. Use time spent on walkies to explore the world and work on training, as this will be much more enriching than a plod around the block. At home, try to ensure they get plenty of sleep, between 18 and 20 hours per day, and stick to lower impact play rather than tearing up and down stairs or jumping on and off of furniture.

The easiest way to give your dog all the exercise they need is by getting your paws on a PitPat. We take your dog’s age, sex, weight, and whether they’ve been neutered to formulate a tailored exercise goal. Taking all the guesswork out of dog exercise. 

How much exercise does a senior English Setter need? 

Once your English Setter gets close to their seventh birthday, you may start to notice signs of your pup slowing down. You shouldn’t worry though, this is perfectly normal.  

One way to adapt to their new needs is by letting them set the pace. This helps as by keeping an eye on it, you’ll soon be able to tell how far your dog can go and adjust the walk accordingly.

This can come with some complications as some dogs really love a walk and will keep going forever, which means they could still be getting too much exercise. Over-exercising at an older age means they’re even more likely to suffer from joint and muscle problems which will take longer to repair because of their age.

The best way to counter this is with the help of a PitPat. As your dog gets older and their exercise needs change, we’ll adapt their tailored exercise goal so you know exactly what they need. 

Best types of exercise for English Setters

Gundog training. Not only does this sort of training give your dog the opportunity to run about, but it involves a high amount of obedience training such as heelwork, sitting/staying, and recall. This is great for two reasons. Not only does it teach them good obedience skills that can be applied in daily life, but it also gets them using their brains more than a walk would. Meaning your English Setter will have a more stimulated brain.

Scent work. This can be done when at home, or even when you’re out walking. It involves your pup putting that strong nose to work to find some tasty treats hidden in and around a particular area. It’s also another great way to make sure your dog is using their brain enough in a day.

Agility training. A great way to put your dog’s zoomies to good use. This exercise provides a strong combination of improving both general fitness and obedience training like gundog training. It does differs from gundog training as it’s a lot quicker and requires more unique commands such as over/under, through, and around all to happen at the same time. Meaning your pup will have to use their brain even more.

Can English Setters be left on their own? 

Generally, dogs shouldn’t be left on their own for long periods of time as they’re pack animals. However, it’s inevitable that once in a while you’ll have to leave them on their own for a little bit. 

For some breeds, this won’t faze them at all and they will probably enjoy a little peace and quiet. But some, like English Setters, aren’t a fan of being left on their own at all as they’re playful and energy-filled dogs so when on their own, they can get lonely. 

The best way to help with this is by giving them something to occupy their brain whilst you’re not with them. Giving them treat-releasing toys such as Lickimats and Kongs will go a long way to making them more comfortable. The added bonus of this is that it also helps towards keeping them mentally stimulated. So there’s less chance of late-night zoomies around the house. 

And with PitPat taking the guesswork out of dog parenting, you’ll be able to focus on the love part. Simple.

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