🧳Travelling with a English Setter: car, crate and rules

English Setter : In the car, a rigid L/XL crate or a boot divider secures this large dog, often soaked and muddy after walks. In open country, keep a 10 to 15 m long line until recall is solid: hunting drive can take it very far.

In short: Large dog of 61 to 68 cm and 25 to 30 kg, silky feathered medium-length coat, very high energy. A gentle, affectionate pointing dog at home, obsessed with scent trails outdoors. Its silky feathering snags twigs and mud on every outing: serious brushing and a padded harness that spares the coat.

In the car with a English Setter

At 25 to 30 kg, the only genuinely safe option is a crash-tested crate of about 105 cm secured in the boot — failing that, a solid partition grille. An unrestrained dog of this weight becomes a projectile under braking — and a possible fine for distracted driving.

Trains, planes, holidays

Too big for the cabin, the English Setter flies in the pressurised hold in an IATA-approved crate — an ordeal to reserve for unavoidable trips. On trains, a muzzle and lead meet the rules. Tame the crate weeks ahead — open in the living room, seeded with treats — so that on the day, your English Setter walks in by itself.

Identification and good habits

Identification (microchip or tattoo) is mandatory, with vaccinations up to date for boarding or border crossings (EU passport, rabies shot). In hot weather, never leave a English Setter in a parked car, even “for five minutes”: the cabin turns lethal within a quarter of an hour.

Frequently asked questions

What crate size for a English Setter?

Aim for 105 cm long for an adult: it must stand head-up and turn around freely — and for flying, only the model’s IATA dimensions count.

Can a English Setter fly in the cabin?

No, it exceeds the cabin limit (8 kg including the bag): it travels in the pressurised hold in an IATA crate — avoid it when you can.

The guides that apply to you

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