When the dogs of the English Setter breed spotted birds, they would "set," or crouch low, so the hunters could throw their nets over them. In response to the advent of firearms, breeders worked to improve the Pointer by making them taller and more regal. Today, English Setters continue to serve as hunting dogs and beloved family pets. To learn everything there is to know about English Setters, continue reading!
Highlights
- You should start early on to prevent your baby English Setter from developing a barking problem.
- If your English Setter seems to be gaining weight, keep an eye on his or her food intake.
- Fencing is required; you can't rely on an English Setter to stay in the yard without it.
- English Setters can dig deep holes and leap tall fences with ease, so provide adequate protection for your dog.
- They are notoriously challenging to toilet train, so it's best to get started on the process as soon as possible and maintain a strict diet.
- If you want a healthy dog, you should never buy one from a pet store, puppy mill, or backyard breeder. Find a breeder who takes the time to ensure the health and temperament of her breeding dogs by conducting appropriate testing.
Characteristics
Social Appearance
Adaptability
It's a common misconception that a little dog is better suited to living in a limited space. Many tiny dogs have too much energy and are too yappy to live in an apartment building. An apartment dog's best attributes include being quiet, low energy, somewhat peaceful indoors, and respectful to the other inhabitants. Your dog's personal space in your apartment can be improved by purchasing one of these fantastic dog cages.
Sensitivity Level
Depending on the dog, a strong rebuke can be taken in stride by some, while others regard even the tiniest hint of disapproval as a personal attack. If you have a loud or pushy owner, a chaotic home, or a routine that is unpredictable or variable, your low-sensitivity dog, often known as "easy-going," "tolerant," "resilient," or even "thick-skinned," will be able to handle it better. Do you have young children, host a lot of parties, or have a hectic lifestyle? Choose a dog that isn't overly sensitive.
Intensity
You can't tell from looking at them whether or not they're hyperactive, but when they do anything, they do it vigorously. They tug at their leashes (unless you teach them not to), they push their way through barriers, and they down their meals in huge, gobbling gulps. A home with young children or an elderly or feeble person may not be the best place for these dynamos to learn proper etiquette. On the other side, a dog with poor vitality adopts a more reserved demeanor.
Potential for Playfulness
The playful nature of certain dogs never fades away, and they're always ready for a game, whereas the reserved and serious tendencies of other dogs develop through time. Think about how many times a day you want to play fetch or tag with your dog, and whether or not you have children or other dogs who can act as substitutes.
Personality Appearance
Intelligence
In the same way as working dogs, such as those that herd sheep, are bred for intelligence and decision-making, working dogs like those who run all day need to exercise their bodies. The two most common activities that a bored pet engages in are digging and chewing, both of which require mental stimulation. There are several ways to keep a dog's brain active, including obedience training, interactive dog toys like tug of war, and dog sports like agility and search and rescue.
Energy Level
Energy-draining dogs are always on the lookout for a new activity. There are several jobs that require a lot of stamina from dogs, such as herding livestock or recovering prey for hunters. Children are more likely to engage in activities such as jumping, playing and exploring new sights and smells as a result of this change in their environment
A low-energy dog is more like a couch potato than a dog that needs a lot of exercise. Think about your level of physical activity and whether or not you find a hyperactive dog irritating before making your final choice.
Easy To Train
Easy to train dogs can more easily form associations between a cue (like "sit"), an action (like sitting), and a reward than dogs that are more difficult to train. Dogs that require more time, patience, and repetition are more difficult to train.
Getting your dog interested in training will require incentives and games because many breeds are intelligent but have a "What's in it for me?" mentality when it comes to learning new things.
Family Affection Level
Affectionate With Family
Since puppyhood, some breeds remain aloof and independent; others form deep bonds with one individual but are uninterested in the rest of the family; still other types shower their entire family with affection. Canines raised in homes with people tend to be more open to human interaction and develop stronger ties, regardless of their breed or upbringing.
Kid-Friendly
Kids-friendly dogs are calm, strong enough to bear the hefty hugs and pets kids can dish out, and have an unfazed attitude about rushing, scream-inducing children. There are several names you may not expect to see on the list: Fierce-looking Both Boxers and American Staffordshire Terriers are regarded as family dogs (which are considered Pit Bulls). Chihuahuas, which are small, sensitive, and potentially sharp, are not always family-friendly.
Dog Friendly
Dog friendship and human friendship are two entirely different things. The fact that a dog is friendly with humans doesn't mean it's immune to aggression or aggression from other dogs; some canines choose to play rather than fight; others will just run away. The type of animal isn't the only consideration. Dogs who have spent a lot of time playing with their littermates and their mother at the age of six to eight weeks are more likely to be socially competent.
Physical Appearance
Amount of Shedding
Having a dog in the house means that you'll have to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothing and in the home. It's worth noting, however, that shedding varies widely among breeds. Some dogs shed all year long, while others ``blow" just during specific times of the year, and still others don't shed at all. If you're a stickler for cleanliness, you'll need to choose a breed that sheds less or lower your expectations. You can use a deshedding tool to keep your house a little cleaner.
Drooling Potential
While greeting you, some dogs may cover their arms with ropes of drool and create large, wet patches on your clothing. If you don't mind a little drool, go for it; but if you're a stickler for cleanliness, you may want to look for a dog with a low drool rating.
Easy To Groom
Some breeds of dogs can simply be brushed and left alone, while others require frequent washing, trimming, and other grooming in order to maintain their health and appearance. If you don't have the time or money to take care of a dog that requires a lot of grooming, you may want to look into hiring a professional.
Exercise Needs
Evening walks around the neighborhood are perfectly acceptable for some breeds. Others, particularly those trained for physically demanding vocations like herding or hunting, require regular, rigorous exercise.
They can gain weight and release their pent-up energy in ways you don't like, including barking, chewing, and digging, if not given enough exercise. Those looking to train their dog for an energetic canine activity, such as agility, should consider getting a dog that needs a lot of exercise.
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed
Height:
1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight:
45 to 80 pounds
Life Span:
11 to 15 years
History
Dogs have traditionally been trained to squat while pointing, even before the invention of the shotgun when birds were commonly taken with a net. Setters like this paved the way for modern-day players. The English Setter is the most ancient of these dogs, with possible origins in the Middle Ages. They were designed to track down wildlife on the moors, where it would remain frozen until it could be killed. The Spanish Pointer, Springer Spaniel, and big Water Spaniel were likely to be found among the ancestors of the English Setter.
Edward Laverack began cultivating the English Setter in 1825 and continued doing so for nearly 35 years through a process of purposeful pure breeding. All modern English Setters can trace their ancestry back to these dogs. In fact, Laverack made up the word "belton" (after the town of Belton, where he went hunting) to characterize the roan or ticking bits of color. Purcell Llewellin, the second most significant breeder, also relied on field performance when selecting offspring. He also acquired his foundation stock from Laverack.
Llewellin bred Laveracks with non-related English Setters, and the resulting dogs were so well-suited for hunting that he brought a large number of them to the United States. Divergence occurred between Laverack and Llewellin setters, with the former serving as the progenitor of show setters and the latter of field setters. Both have been consistently popular in the United States.
Personality and Temperament
The English setter is a family-friendly breed of dog known for its calm demeanor and positive disposition. He is gentle and considerate, and he enjoys showing and receiving attention. These dogs have a reputation for being watchful and protective of their human family and their territory, yet they can be easily redirected into a peaceful demeanor. The English Setter is a dog breed known for its friendly nature. They're happy to socialize with both humans and canine companions.
These canines are stereotyped as being free-range, active, and full of energy. When young, they are full of energy, but as adults, they tend to slow down quite a bit.
The English Setter is a high-energy breed of hunting dog that was developed to quickly traverse large areas. And this is especially true with dogs bred from working stock. They can be hyperactive house pets if they don't get enough regular exercise, but otherwise are great companions when properly exhausted. Conformation-bred animals are known for their mild demeanor and patience, making them ideal companions for young people and the elderly. They are friendly and laid-back, getting along well with both new people and canine companions.
Care
The care of an English Setter requires awareness of the breed's unique personality, nutritional requirements, training and exercise prerequisites, and other traits. As a result, you can give your dog the best chance for a long, healthy life.
Health
Among the illnesses that seem to strike them more often are:
Congenital Deafness
White coats are often a sign of congenital deafness in dogs. The fact that English Setters' basic coat color is white could contribute to the prevalence of this issue. Based on the results of a test given to 701 English Setters in 2010, it was concluded that 12.4% of all dogs tested were affected by this disorder. Puppies who are deaf in both ears are typically simple to spot since they ignore sound and instead communicate with one another through sight and touch.
Hip Dysplasia
Large-breed dogs are especially susceptible to developing hip dysplasia, which can lead to lameness. It occurs when there is an insufficient connection between the femur's head and the socket joint, resulting in abnormal loads being placed on the articulation. Inflammation caused by joint wear and tear causes discomfort and lameness. The dog may become unable to run, climb stairs, or even walk.
Anomalies of the Elbow, or Elbow Dysplasia
This growth defect of the elbow joint in dogs is called elbow dysplasia. When a dog's foreleg bones (radius and ulna) develop at different rates, it might cause problems with the elbow joint's cartilage. Joint inflammation is caused by increased injury and pressure on the joint. Thus, soreness and lameness ensue.
Hypothyroidism
Reduced thyroxine production in the thyroid gland is the pathological basis for clinical hypothyroidism in dogs. Since the dog's metabolism depends on thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism causes the dog to become listless, listless, and feeble. Blood tests can diagnose the condition, and there are effective treatment options, such as the administration of synthetic thyroxine hormone.
Allergies
Some English Setters develop skin issues because of allergies to foods or the environment. Allergic reactions to the skin typically manifest as hives, redness, and perhaps a bacterial infection. In dogs, food sensitivities are typically detected by eliminating potential allergens one at a time from the diet and then returning them one at a time to see if the dog's symptoms return.
Recommended Health Tests
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- BAER Testing
Nutrition
High-quality, portion-controlled dog food is essential for your English setter, as it is for any dog. As was previously noted, the breed can be more likely to experience allergic reactions. You may need to offer them a special diet if the causes are related to food.
Grooming
English setters require modest grooming because they shed. A weekly brush out helps preserve their coat in good condition and prevents their plentiful feathering from becoming tangled, matted, or knotted. Trimming the feathers around the ears and in other spots on your English setter may be necessary.
Exercise
Ensure that your English setter gets plenty of exercise every day. Two sessions of 30 minutes each each day should be plenty. They don't need as much exercise as some of the other gun dog breeds, but when they do get it, it should be a rigorous session, preferably off-leash in a secure and enclosed area, because they are so active and can make terrific hiking companions.
They are excellent dog sports competitors thanks to their high levels of intelligence and physical prowess; they frequently win competitions in events like agility and, thanks to their extraordinary sense of smell, scent work trials.
Training
They learn quickly and retain information when prompted by positive reinforcement. Due to their mild nature, English setters are easily upset by harsh treatment. Never ignore an English setter or shout at it; doing either will only cause the dog worry.
Due to their hunting heritage, English setters may exhibit a high prey drive. As a result, you may need to keep them on a leash in locations where there is too much temptation to "hunt," or put in extra effort to train them to come when called.
Although English setters have gentle hearts, they are attentive to outsiders and need to be trained to be calm so that their barking doesn't get out of hand.
Children And Other Pets
The need to shield an adult English Setter
from children is more common than the reverse. He's laid-back and easygoing, and he'll put up with a lot of crap (even when he shouldn't).
Both puppies and toddlers require close supervision to prevent roughhousing and other undesirable behaviors associated with their immature socialization processes. Some breeders won't sell pups to families with children under the age of six because they believe that older kids are better able to take care of a puppy. An adult English Setter is ideal for a family with young children.
No matter what happens, you should always remind your child not to bother a dog when he is eating and never take the dog's food. Unsupervised time with a dog is never acceptable for any child.
As long as they are socialized early on, English Setters tend to get along well with other pets and canines. However, they have an affinity for birds, so take precautions to keep your pet birds safe until you can be certain that your Setter will respect the boundaries you establish. Not all dogs will pick up on that information even if taught to them as puppies, but some will. To prevent your Setter from pulling your parakeet's tail or your parrot from biting your Setter's sensitive nose, you may need to keep the two animals apart at all times.
Puppies
Get your house ready for a new puppy before you bring home an English Setter. Get rid of any items that could hurt the dog or that you wouldn't want a young puppy to chew up. You should also go out and get a dog kennel, dog bed, dog food, and anything else your new puppy will require before bringing him or her home.
Although English Setters require a lot of exercise, especially as puppies, it is vital to avoid overexerting them or subjecting them to activities with too much impact. Infants and toddlers are more vulnerable to fractures and other injuries because their bones and joints are still developing.
Dogs similar to English Setter
There are a few dog breeds that are comparable to the English Setter, including the Irish Setter, the English Pointer, and the Brittany Dog.
Irish Setter:
The Irish Setter, like its cousin the English Setter, is a breed of dog used for hunting. Males of both types tend to weigh around 70 pounds, making them around the same size. English Setters come in many different hues, including blue, belton, lemon, tan, liver, and tricolor, while Irish Setters are often mahogany or red.
English Pointer:
The English Pointer, like its cousin the English Setter, is a sociable, gentle breed that gets along well with kids and other pets. Both types have boundless amounts of energy and need plenty of daily activity. In comparison to English Setters, English Pointers are less prone to shedding and require less time spent grooming.
Brittany Dog:
However, whereas Brittany Dogs were first developed in France, English Setters came from England. Both breeds are well with kids and other animals, but the English Setter is friendlier to strangers. Brittany dogs are significantly smaller than English Setters, with males weighing an average of 37.5 pounds and their larger counterparts weighing an average of 67.5 pounds.