Signature Setter Gun Dogs

English Setter History

English Setter Description

English Setter Temperament

Agility and Athletic Ability

Helm's Signature Setters

KT Diaries Dogs

The first rudimentary setter was developed in France in 1500, obtained from the Spanish pointer and the French pointer. Three centuries later it was brought to Great Britain where its true developer was an extremely intelligent breeder, named Sir Edward Laverack who developed the English Setter from early French hunting dogs in the early 1800's. Laverack was so instrumental in establishing the breed that the English Setter is often called the Laverack Setter. Laverack's dogs were known for their great beauty, and are therefore foundation stock for many of today's top show dogs. Another English breeder, Llewellin / Llewellyn, created a second famous field hunting strain of English Setters. These are often called "Llewellin / Llewellyn Setters." The word "setter" comes from the almost "sitting" position the dog exhibits when he has discovered game. The English Setter is a vigorous, quick and very quiet worker with an excellent nose. His coat keeps the dog comfortable in both hot and cold weather. The sweet personality of the English Setter and his gentleness with children make him a fine family companion dog as well.

English Setters are very intelligent, beautiful and elegant gun dogs. Bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism by English nobility and aristocracy for hunting in the English countryside.

The English Setter coat is flat with light feathering of long length. They have a long, flowing coat that requires regular grooming. The various speckled coat colors when occurring in English Setters are referred to as belton; valid combinations are white with black flecks (blue belton) or with orange flecks (orange belton— depending on the intensity of the color, they might be lemon belton or liver belton), or white with black and tan flecks (tricolor Bolton).

The English Setter is a medium sized dog. Its head is long, with a pronounced frontal stop. The muzzle is approximately half the total length of the head, and is fairly square. The eyes are large and brilliant, with a sweet expression and they are hazel in color. The nose is dark. The moderately long pendant ears have a velvety tip. The tail, ears, legs, and underside are all heavily fringed. The tail is straight and tapers to a small point. The chest is quite deep, but not wide.

* Helm's Signature Sue is an almost perfect example of a well formed English Setter head shape.

Bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism by English nobility and aristocracy for hunting in the countryside.

Sue & Keegan at 4-H enjoying the agility course!

Sue comes from the "Helm's Signature Setters" field blood line. "Helm's Signature Setters" is registered with the Field Dog Stud Book. Sue comes out of "Brock" or "Helm's Graintrain Guard," the current blue ribbon sire of Helms Signature Setters. He is the result of a breeding with Graintrain and a daughter of Ch. Bodyguard. He is know for throwing sensational foot hunting puppies.

Jim Helm has, over the years, trained several hundred pointing Labradors and English Setter gun dogs and has developed nationally-recognized lines from that personal experience and observation. Jim's practical knowledge appears to be the key in producing his exceptional Signature hunting dogs.

The folks at Innishfree are proud to have been offered the opportunity to learn from both Jim & Sandy Helm over the past few years. We have enjoyed many hours of monitoring conversations both on the phone and in person at the Helm farm and we look forward to retuning the favor by sharing what we have learned with you.

Read the article from Quail Unlimited that featured Jim Helm's Signature English setter Helm's Graintrain Guard".

Graintrain, now retired, is still able to throw a flashy point. He is a foundation sire for Helm's Signature Setters.	A Signature Series puppy shows her style and desire at eight-months-old. Her current owner is baseball great Don Gullett.

Innishfree specializes in Signature English Setter field lines from 34+ years of proven Helm's Signature hunting dogs.