Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Pointer: Introduction
- English Setter versus Pointer: Overview
- English Setter versus Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Pointer
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Pointer
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Pointer
- Temperament of the Pointer Versus the English Setter
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Pointer
- Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Pointer
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Pointer
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Pointer
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Pointer
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Pointer
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Pointers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Pointer?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Pointer?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Pointers?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Pointers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Pointer?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Pointer
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Pointer? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Setter and the Pointer better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the English Setter and the Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter and the Pointer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the English Setter and for the Pointer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Setter and the Pointer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Setter or the Pointer
English Setter versus Pointer: Overview
Both the English Setter and the Pointer are similar in size. The English Setter and the Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the English Setter and the Pointer are Sporting Dogs. This means both the English Setter and the Pointer were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
English Setter versus Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter to the Pointer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | English Setter | Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 45 to 75 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $1080 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $800 – $1300 |
| Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 90.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 115 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 43 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Setter in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Pointer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Pointer is 75 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pointer is a better pet than the English Setter. So, you should get the Pointer!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the English Setter and the Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Pointer
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Pointer
The English Setter and the Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Pointer are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Pointer.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Pointers weigh 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Pointers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Temperament of the Pointer Versus the English Setter
The Pointer has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Pointer is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 81.3 percent, the English Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Pointer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Setter and the Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 20 Pointers.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Pointer
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Pointer puppy is $1080. The price of the Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a Pointer can be as low as $300 and as high as $1700. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 16 Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pointer is more expensive than the English Setter.
| English Setter | Pointer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $1080 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $800 to $1300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Pointer. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Pointer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Pointers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Setter puppy or the Pointer puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Pointer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Setters and many Pointers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male English Setter named Rio that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Setters like Rio on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Setters, Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Preacher is a Male Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pointers like Preacher that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Sloan is the name of another English Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Remy, an adorable Male Pointer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more English Setters and Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Pointer
| English Setter | Pointer | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pointer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pointers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The English Setter is more intelligent than the Pointer.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Pointer
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the English Setter and the Pointer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Pointer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pointer is 115 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Pointer
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Pointer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 114 |
| 2014 | 89 | 119 |
| 2015 | 96 | 114 |
| 2016 | 102 | 117 |
| 2017 | 95 | 113 |
| 2018 | 94 | 114 |
| 2019 | 98 | 115 |
| 2020 | 101 | 116 |
Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Pointer
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the English Setter and the Pointer are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pointer than for the English Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 5 tests are recommended for the Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Pointers.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
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, 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.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.
Pointer Health Problems
Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pointer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pointer 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.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pointers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Pointers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pointer Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Pointer ranks 17 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Pointers, 1 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pointers, and how common these diseases are in Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Pointer:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Pointer Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | 44 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | 66 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | 137 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 17 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Pointer?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Pointer
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Pointer
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Pointer?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Pointers can tolerate hot weather.
Do English Setters shed more than Pointers?
English Setters shed moderately.
Pointers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Pointer?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Pointers are very easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Pointer?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Pointers are very easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Pointers?
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Pointers?
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Pointer?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Pointers get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?
English Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Pointers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Pointer
English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pointer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pointer:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Pointer to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Weimaraner English Setter versus Clumber Spaniel English Setter versus Lagotto Romagnolo English Setter versus Valley Bulldog English Setter versus Tibetan Spaniel English Setter versus Braque du Bourbonnais English Setter versus Saint Berdoodle English Setter versus American Water Spaniel English Setter versus Portuguese Pointer English Setter versus Great Dane
Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pointer versus Berger Picard Pointer versus Labrador Retriever Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier Pointer versus Basset Hound Pointer versus Shihpoo Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pointer versus Schnoodle Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel Pointer versus Mal Shi Pointer versus Shiranian
Conclusion: English Setter versus Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the English Setter and the Pointer better suits you and your family.