The New Student's Reference Work/Setter

Set′ter, a breed of dog employed in shooting birds. There are three varieties — the English, the Gordon and the Irish setter. Dogs had been trained from the 16th century to scent game, but it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that a record of a distinct breed of setter was begun. The English setter generally is white with red markings or with black spots. The Gordon setter was bred by the duke of Gordon in 1800, by crossing the existing setter with the collie. This setter should be a rich and glossy black, marked with tan on the face, chest and legs. The origin of the Irish setter with its deep chestnut-red color is unknown. See Dog.