English Setter weight chart
An adult English Setter typically weighs somewhere between 20 and 30kg, with males usually at the heavier end and females somewhat lighter, in keeping with the breed's elegant but solidly built gundog frame. As with any weight chart, this is a general guide for spotting something clearly off track, not a target every individual dog needs to hit precisely.
How an English Setter's weight tends to build
English Setter puppies grow steadily through their first several months, typically reaching a substantial part of their adult weight by around six months old. Growth continues at a slower pace through the rest of the first year, with most Setters close to their adult height by around twelve to fifteen months, though chest depth and overall condition can keep developing a little beyond that.
As a gundog breed bred for stamina rather than bulk, a healthy adult English Setter should carry a moderate covering over an athletic frame, with a visible waist, rather than the heavier build of a strictly companion breed.
Reading a chart against your own dog
Sex, individual genetics and activity level all affect where a particular English Setter sits within the general range, so a dog toward either end of it is not automatically cause for concern. A steady, gradual growth curve matters more than hitting an exact figure at an exact age.
If your Setter's growth seems to have stalled unexpectedly, or their weight is changing much faster or slower than seems typical for the breed, it is worth having them checked over by a vet rather than assuming it will sort itself out. Feeding a food suited to their current life stage, rather than switching between adult and puppy formulas repeatedly, also helps keep growth on a steady, predictable track.
Common questions
- When does an English Setter reach full size?
- Most English Setters are close to their adult height by around twelve to fifteen months, though chest depth and overall body condition can continue developing for a while after that. Individual timing varies between dogs.
- Are English Setters prone to being underweight looking?
- A visible waist and moderate build is normal and expected for this athletic gundog breed, so a lean appearance is not automatically a concern. If your Setter seems genuinely thin, tired, or is losing weight unexpectedly, speak to your vet.
- Do male and female English Setters differ much in size?
- Males are typically somewhat heavier and taller than females, which is normal for the breed. Both sexes should still show the same lean, athletic build characteristic of English Setters.
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.