Is the English Setter or the Golden Retriever better for families with children?

Both the English Setter and the Golden Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the English Setter or the Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever sheds more than the English Setter. If shedding is a concern, the English Setter is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the English Setter or the Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is English Setter or Golden Retriever bigger?

English Setter and Golden Retriever are a similar size (Large).

Which barks more, English Setter or Golden Retriever?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, English Setter or Golden Retriever?

For apartment or apartment living, English Setter and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.

English Setter vs Golden Retriever: Which Sheds Less?

English Setter vs Golden Retriever: full comparison

Trait	English Setter	Golden Retriever
Size	Large	Large
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	High	Very High
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	High	Very High
Barking	Low	Low
Protectiveness	Very Low	Very Low
Adaptability	High	Very High
Typical lifespan	12 years	11 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The English Setter is a large and powerful breed that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. By comparison, the Golden Retriever is a large and powerful breed that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The English Setter needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The Golden Retriever needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The English Setter is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. The Golden Retriever is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds constantly and keeps the vacuum busy all year. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The English Setter takes to training fast and works willingly, speaks up only now and then and is famously gentle and patient with children. The Golden Retriever learns at a pace few breeds can match, speaks up only now and then and is famously gentle and patient with children. On guarding instinct, English Setter has little guarding instinct and greets strangers as friends, whereas Golden Retriever has little guarding instinct and greets strangers as friends.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, English Setter and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, English Setter and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Golden Retriever has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, English Setter and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, English Setter has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the English Setter if you want less shedding around the home or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Golden Retriever if you want an easier dog to train or you want a more adaptable dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the English Setter or the Golden Retriever better for families with children?: Both the English Setter and the Golden Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the English Setter or the Golden Retriever?: The Golden Retriever sheds more than the English Setter. If shedding is a concern, the English Setter is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the English Setter or the Golden Retriever?: The Golden Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is English Setter or Golden Retriever bigger?: English Setter and Golden Retriever are a similar size (Large).
Which barks more, English Setter or Golden Retriever?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, English Setter or Golden Retriever?: For apartment or apartment living, English Setter and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.

English Setter vs Golden Retriever