ENGLISH SETTER
APPEARANCE
English Setter dogs are lean, with powerful chests sloping back to the smooth, tense lines of legs and feet, the ready tail, and the powerful muscles. The coat is flat with light feathering of long length or short length. The coat’s ground color is always white, and can be covered either with flecks of black, blue, liver, orange or lemon, or can display a tricolor pattern. Females measure between 61 – 65cms at the withers and weigh around 27kgs. Males measure between 65 – 68cms and weigh around 28.5kgs.
PERSONALITY
The English Setter is a very calm dog with mild manners. However, it can also be strong-willed and mischievous. English Setters are energetic, people-oriented dogs, that are well suited to families who can give them attention and activity. The English Setter does not like to be neglected and left alone for long periods, and is therefore not suited to those that do not have the time for this dog. English Setter is well suited to both experienced and inexperienced owners.
TRAINING
English Setters are very intelligent and can be trained to perform about any task another breed can do, with the exception of herding. However, they are not always easy to train, as their natural bird instinct tends to distract them in outdoor environments. Therefore they are very sensitive to criticism, and could be unwilling to repeat a behavior out of fear to disappoint the trainer. Positive reinforcement training methods therefore work best for English Setters.
EXERCISE
English Setters are active dogs outside that need plenty of exercise in a good sized fenced-in yard. Inside they tend to be lower energy and love to be couch potatoes and lap dogs that love to cuddle.
The bare minimum for exercising your English Setter is two or three half-hour walks or runs per day, preferably with some running or other energetic play involved.
SOCIALIZATION
English Setters are extremely good with children, although their size and energy levels may prove a problem around very young children. They should not be trusted around smaller and more passive animals, however can do well with other more common animals such as the cat and the dog, given they have had the proper socialization.
LIVING CONDITIONS
English Setters are suitable for the urban life. They can adapt well in an apartment as long as they are given the opportunity to have enough exercise. They are inactive indoors. The English Setter should have at least a large fenced yard to have free roam and run.
GROOMING
English Setters do need a reasonable amount of grooming and trimming to keep them looking at their best. Regular trimming of the hair between their pads and under their ears is a must. Air must be allowed into their ears to prevent infections. Dry shampooing is often used so the natural oils are not removed from the beautiful and long coat. The English Setter is a medium shedder, which means that he may not be best suited to those with allergies.
HEALTH ISSUES
A relatively healthy breed, Setters have few genetic problems but some problems occasionally occur. Canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, congenital deafness, and canine hypothyroidism are some of the more well-known ailments that can affect this dog. Some lines are prone to allergies including food allergies. Life expectancy is between 10-12 years, though with proper medical care 13 to 15 years is not out of the question.
HISTORY
English Setter was a trained bird dog in England more than 400 years ago. The English Setter was originally bred to set or point upland game birds. The English Setter was registered by the AKC in 1878.
