What Is The Difference Between A Setter And A Pointer?

Setters and Pointers are similar and yet different. Their physical traits and behaviors are very close, but slight differences exist. Each has its beauty and way of going about tracking its prey. Choosing the right one is a personal preference based on hunting style and choice. Neither is better than the other, each the Setter and Pointer are diverse and intelligent, making them exactly the same!

What’s the difference between a Setter and a Pointer?

The difference between the Setter and the Pointer is how they identify their prey. The Setter will Set their body in tall grasses or whatever terrain they are in so they don’t alert their prey. The Pointer will freeze in the Pointing position, so they don’t alert the prey. Both perform the same task but in very different manners.

When they are involved in a hunting expedition, these two sporting dog breeds will go about positioning their bodies in a certain way.

Both dogs are in the same American Kennel Club Sporting Dog Class. They both possess the skills of endurance, alertness, intelligence, versatility, and physical strength. Each dog will have their strengths in certain areas which are very similar.

They will each also have a certain appearance that is slightly different from the other despite being exceptionally great gun dogs. They also have slightly different traits regarding their behaviors, each distinguishing them as an individual dog breed.

What is the difference in appearance between a Setter and a Pointer?

The difference in appearance between a Setter and a Pointer is the Setter has a long fur coat, whereas the Pointer has a short fur coat. The Pointer can be a bit more muscular than the Setter.

Setters have more fur, and their fur is thicker and shaggier, hanging down in whisps from their tails, legs, and other parts of their bodies. Pointes have smooth, shiny, and short fur, except for a few terriers in the group.

Other than these key physical differences in appearance, the Setter and Pointer dog breeds are primarily the same.    Both breeds are agile, energetic, and beautiful, and physically fit. 

What is the difference in behaviors for a Setter and a Pointer?

The difference in behaviors between a Setter and a Pointer is how they position their bodies while hunting for prey. They are both exceptionally good sporting dogs with the necessary alertness and intelligence to perform the task.

Each breed will have the endurance and strength to complete the required tasks successfully.  Their skills as a hunting partner will be similar.  Both the Pointers and Setters have excellent success rates for helping as a gun dog, but it really depends on their early training.

Each breed will have similarities in their emotional and mental state and enjoy being part of a dog pack. Both the Setter and Pointer will bond closely with those in their hunting party, and they will also bond closely with their human companion.

These two dog breeds will do best when they can be close to their companion and involved in the action. This is the type of environment that helps them thrive. The Setter and the Pointer are excellent family dogs who get along great with children.

Both the Setter and Pointer have boundless energy and enjoy training and learning a new task. They also do best when they are working hard and pleasing their companions.

One might wonder if it matters. From an everyday individual standpoint, it may not matter too much. From a hunting standpoint, each hunter will have their style and preferences regarding how they hunt.

This distinction is helpful for the hunters with diverse styles of hunting.  What type of hunting they do, and where will help determine the best hunting dog for them?  

Is the Setter or Pointer better at hunting?

Neither the Setter nor Pointer is better at hunting, and their qualities are different; neither is better than the other. Each will have very similar traits; it depends on the individual hunter and their hunting.

That being said, each dog within the Setter and Pointer groups can have strengths that will make them better than others at hunting a particular prey. There are many factors to hunting, and each dog may be better or not than another for that particular hunt.

For instance, if the hunter needs a pointer dog but wants a smaller pointer, they might find one Pointer that is the right size. This comes down to the particularities of each individual, and choosing a dog isn’t just based on breed or category alone.

Many factors will determine which dog in a dog class, breed, and litter suits an individual. Slight variations in coloring, size of body, temperament, personality, and so forth can determine which dog should be chosen.

The Setter and the Pointer are both exceptionally good at locating prey. How they go about it, and the other qualities an individual dog has will determine which dog should be chosen.

How do I know if the Setter or Pointer is right for my family?

The best way to know if the Setter or Pointer is right for your family is to note the qualities you are looking for in a dog. If the Setter or Pointer is to be a family dog and not used for hunting, their traits are very similar.

They get along great with kids and make wonderful furry family members in different settings. They adapt well but need a lot of activity and exercise. There are many things to consider when adopting a dog, least of all their breeding and physical traits.

If the Setter or Pointer is to be a hunting dog, you will want to note the differences and similarities between the two and decide based on your needs.

A thorough list of the traits you must have, and those you don’t want is a big help. Once you have that list, you can better determine which is good for your family.  It might be surprising when you make this list, what type of dog best suits your families wants and needs!