German Pointer Vs. English Setter: What’s The Difference?

German Pointers and English Setters are both high-energy sporting dogs, perfectly suited for active owners, including practicing hunters. The German Shorthaired Pointed, German Longhaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, and English Setter are all bird dogs. However, there are distinct differences between a pointer and a setter and between these German Pointer breeds and English Setters specifically.

English Setters have longer, more feathered coats than German Pointers. Setters are friendlier overall than Pointers but less protective. They are more prone to barking than Pointers. Setters require less exercise than Pointers. Setters are better in families, while Pointers are one-person dogs.

The details provided herein accord with the breed standards and most commonly seen characteristics and behaviors. However, when you are selecting your dog, you need to take into account individual differences. Temperament, for example, is influenced by personality, age, quality of breeding, socialization, training, history, living environment, etc.

German LONGHAIRED Pointer Vs. English Setter

Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
AKC Classification	Foundation Stock Service	Sporting Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Pointer	Bird dog – Setter
Lifespan	12-14 years	12 years
Height	22-28 inches	23-27 inches
Weight	55-80 lbs	45-80 lbs
Coat Length	Medium to long	Medium to long
Coat Characteristics	Sleek with undercoat	Flat and silky; no undercoat
Feathering	Moderate; on ears, back of all legs, and tail	Long; on ears, chest, stomach, legs, and tail
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Ears	Hang down; medium to long; feathered	Hang down; set low on head; medium to long; well-feathered

Summary:

To see these two dogs next to each other, you will clearly see a difference in appearance. However, on paper, the biggest difference is the extent and length of feathering. English Setters are much more heavily feathered than the German Longhaired Pointer.

As a setter, English Setters are bred to find hunting game and then lie down when a likely specimen has been found. This method goes back to when hunters used to work with nets. A crouched English Setter will not interfere with the net, minimizing the chance of the game escaping. On the other hand, pointers are trained to find game and then assume an upright point position, indicating to the hunter where the game is.

Grooming Requirements

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Maintenance Intensity	Moderate	Moderate to high
Brushing	Weekly	2-3 times a week
Bathing	Occasional	Every 4-6 weeks
Shedding	Infrequent	Regular
Ears	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week

Summary:

English Setters require more grooming and shed more than German Longhaired Pointers.

Temperament

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
General Temperament (AKC)	Versatile; calm; family-oriented	Friendly; mellow; merry
Affectionate (to family)	Yes; often prefers one person	Very
Independence	Low	Low
Intensity	Moderate	Low to moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate	High
Stubborn	Unlikely	Possible
Aggression Level	Low	Low
Timid	Unlikely	No
Energy Level	High	Moderate to high
Attention Requirements	High	High
One-Person Dog	Likely	Possible
General Friendliness	High	High
Child Friendliness	High	High
Stranger Friendliness	Friendly	Friendly
Dog Friendliness	Moderate to high	High
Cat Friendliness	Low	Moderate (if socialized with cats)
Protectiveness	Low to moderate	Low
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	Moderate	High

Summary:

English Setters are less intense and have slightly lower energy levels than German Longhaired Pointers.

English Setters are also better with children, dogs, cats, and strangers than the German Longhaired Pointer, but it does make them less protective.

German Longhaired Pointers are less sensitive and prone to nuisance barking than the English Setter.

Exercise And Training Requirements

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High
Eager to Please	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Exercise Frequency	2-3 times a day	Once a day
Exercise Duration	30-60 minutes per session	60 minutes
Exercise Intensity	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Owner Requirements	Active	Active
Exercise Companion	Good	Good
Training Methods	Positive preferred	Positive; harsh training will make a Setter stubborn
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Canine Sport Training	Eligible	Eligible
Affinity for Water	High	High

Summary:

English Setters require less exercise a day than German Longhaired Pointers (but they still need a lot of exercise).

Adaptability And Living Environment

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Good for First-Time Owners	Possibly	Possibly
Good for Single-Person Homes	Yes	Possibly
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Very
Alone Time	Intolerant	Intolerant
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Moderate	Moderate to high
Toleration of Hot Weather	Low to moderate	Moderate

Summary:

English Setters thrive in a family while German Longhaired Pointers are likely to be one-person dogs, requiring only the company of that person to be happy.

German SHORTHAIRED Pointer Vs. English Setter

Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
AKC Classification	Sporting Group	Sporting Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Pointer	Bird dog – Setter
Lifespan	10-12 years	12 years
Height	21-25 inches	23-27 inches
Weight	45-70 lbs	45-80 lbs
Coat Length	Very short	Medium to long
Coat Characteristics	Thick and coarse on body; thinner and softer on head and ears	Flat and silky; no undercoat
Feathering	None	Long; on ears, chest, stomach, legs, and tail
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Ears	Hang down; medium to long; un-feathered	Hang down; set low on head; medium to long; well-feathered

Summary:

English Setters are setter bird dogs, and German Shorthaired Pointers are pointer bird dogs. Setters and pointers are trained differently in the hunting field.

On paper, these two dogs differ more than the German Longhaired Pointer and the English Setter. The English Setter has a longer coat and significantly more feathering than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Grooming Requirements

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Maintenance Intensity	Moderate	Moderate to high
Brushing	Occasional	2-3 times a week
Bathing	Occasional	Every 4-6 weeks
Shedding	Regular	Regular
Ears	Checked and cleaned weekly	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week

Summary:

English Setters require more grooming overall than German Shorthaired Pointers, even though they shed with equal regularity.

Temperament

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
General Temperament (AKC)	Friendly; smart; willing to please	Friendly; mellow; merry
Affectionate (to family)	Yes; often prefers one person	Very
Independence	Moderate	Low
Intensity	Moderate to high	Low to moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate to high	High
Stubborn	Possible	Possible
Aggression Level	Low	Low
Timid	No	No
Energy Level	High	Moderate to high
Attention Requirements	High	High
One-Person Dog	Likely	Possible
General Friendliness	Moderate	High
Child Friendliness	Moderate to high; better with older children	High
Stranger Friendliness	Reserved to friendly	Friendly
Dog Friendliness	Low	High
Cat Friendliness	Low	Moderate (if socialized with cats)
Protectiveness	Moderate to high	Low
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	Moderate	High

Summary:

English Setters are less independent and intense than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

English Setters are more friendly than the German Shorthaired Pointers overall, but this is specifically seen in their interactions with strangers, children, and other dogs. However, it does mean that German Shorthaired Pointers are more protective.

English Setters have slightly lower energy levels than German Shorthaired Pointers, especially as they grow older, but they are more prone to nuisance barking.

Exercise And Training Requirements

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High
Eager to Please	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Exercise Frequency	2-3 times a day	Once a day
Exercise Duration	30-60 minutes per session	60 minutes
Exercise Intensity	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Owner Requirements	Active	Active
Exercise Companion	Excellent	Good
Training Methods	Positive yields best results; shorter duration is better	Positive; harsh training will make a Setter stubborn
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Canine Sport Training	Encouraged	Eligible
Affinity for Water	Moderate to high	High

Summary:

English Setters require less exercise a day than German Shorthaired Pointers (but they still need a lot of exercise). German Shorthaired Pointers are better exercise companions.

Adaptability And Living Environment

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Good for First-Time Owners	No	Possibly
Good for Single-Person Homes	Yes (if person can meet their exercise requirements)	Possibly
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Very
Alone Time	Intolerant	Intolerant
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Low	Moderate to high
Toleration of Hot Weather	Moderate to high	Moderate

Summary:

German Shorthaired Pointers are not appropriate for novice owners. An English Setter can be a good first dog, but only for a specific type of owner who is aware of their requirements and willing to provide for them.

English Setters thrive in a family, while German Shorthaired Pointers are likely to be one-person dogs, requiring only the company of that person to be happy.

With their long coats, English Setters are much more tolerant of cold weather than the very short-coated German Shorthaired Pointer.

German WIREHAIRED Pointer Vs. English Setter

Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
AKC Classification	Sporting Group	Sporting Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Pointer	Bird dog – Setter
Lifespan	14-16 years	12 years
Height	22-26 inches	23-27 inches
Weight	50-70 lbs	45-80 lbs
Coat Length	Short (longer on belly)	Medium to long
Coat Characteristics	Straight, harsh, and wiry; undercoat is dense in winter and thin in summer	Flat and silky; no undercoat
Feathering	Little to none	Long; on ears, chest, stomach, legs, and tail
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Ears	Hang down; short to medium; un-feathered	Hang down; set low on head; medium to long; well-feathered

Summary:

English Setters are setter bird dogs, and German Wirehaired Pointers are pointer bird dogs. Setters and pointers are trained differently in the hunting field.

Grooming Requirements

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Maintenance Intensity	Low	Moderate to high
Brushing	Weekly	2-3 times a week
Bathing	Occasional	Every 4-6 weeks
Shedding	Regular	Regular
Ears	Checked and cleaned weekly	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week

Summary:

English Setters require more grooming overall than German Wirehaired Pointers to keep their coats from tangling, but they shed just as regularly as the Pointers. The lack of feathers also makes ear maintenance less intense for German Wirehaired Pointers.

Temperament

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
General Temperament (AKC)	Affectionate; eager; enthusiastic	Friendly; mellow; merry
Affectionate (to family)	Yes; often prefers one person	Very
Independence	Moderate	Low
Intensity	Moderate to high	Low to moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate to high	High
Stubborn	Possible	Possible
Aggression Level	Moderate (dog aggression)	Low
Timid	No	Unlikely
Energy Level	High	Moderate to high
Attention Requirements	High	High
One-Person Dog	Likely	Possible
General Friendliness	High	High
Child Friendliness	High (can be too boisterous)	High
Stranger Friendliness	Reserved	Friendly
Dog Friendliness	Low	High
Cat Friendliness	Low	Moderate (if socialized with cats)
Protectiveness	High	Low
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	Moderate	High

Summary:

English Setters are less independent, intense, and aggressive than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

English Setters are more friendly with strangers and other dogs than the German Shorthaired Pointers. In fact, German Wirehaired Pointers are known to display aggression towards other dogs. Their friendliness does, however, make the English Setter much less protective than the Wirehaired Pointer.

Both breeds do well with children, but the higher energy levels of the German Shorthaired Pointer can sometimes prove too much for small children.

English Setters have slightly lower energy levels than German Wirehaired Pointers, especially as they grow older, but they are more prone to nuisance barking.

Exercise And Training Requirements

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High
Eager to Please	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Exercise Frequency	2-3 times a day	Once a day
Exercise Duration	30-60 minutes per session	60 minutes
Exercise Intensity	High	Moderate to high
Owner Requirements	Active	Active
Exercise Companion	Excellent	Good
Training Methods	Positive preferred	Positive; harsh training will make a Setter stubborn
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Canine Sport Training	Encouraged	Eligible
Affinity for Water	High	High

Summary:

English Setters require less exercise a day than German Wirehaired Pointers (but they still need a lot of exercise). German Wirehaired Pointers are better exercise companions.

Adaptability And Living Environment

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	ENGLISH SETTER
Good for First-Time Owners	No	Possibly
Good for Single-Person Homes	Yes	Possibly
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Very
Alone Time	Intolerant of extended periods of isolation	Intolerant
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Toleration of Hot Weather	Moderate to high	Moderate

Summary:

German Wirehaired Pointers are not appropriate for novice owners. An English Setter can be a good first dog, but only for a specific type of owner who is aware of their requirements and willing to provide for them.

English Setters thrive in a family, while German Wirehaired Pointers are likely to be one-person dogs, requiring only the company of that person to be happy.

Conclusion

English Setters and German Pointers (Longhaired, Shorthaired, and Wirehaired) have a lot in common. Still, overall the English Setters are slightly less high maintenance than any of the German Pointer breeds. However, you cannot assume that this makes an English Setter an easy dog to own. They still require daily and substantial exercise and lots of attention.

English Setters are also much friendlier than German Pointers in terms of children, other dogs, strangers, and even cats (when socialized as puppies). However, this does make English Setters ineffective guard dogs.