English Setter
Quick facts
 |
AKC Group: | Sporting |
| Height: | 24-27 inches male; 23-26 inches female | |
| Weight: | 55-80 lbs male; 45-70 lbs female | |
| Colors: | white with blue, lemon, orange, or brown of various markings | |
| AKC recognized in: | 1884 | |
Today, English setters are known to be the most elegant and attractive gundogs among all the other dog breeds. It has a long and sophisticated-looking body, and large, brown-colored eyes. Its ears hang low and are covered with long, silky hair. Its whole body is covered with silky or wavy hair, with a slight feathering on its tail, back of the legs, and chest. Its white feathered coats with a subtle mix of darker hair make them more appealing and eye-catching.
English setters originated from France during the year 1500. Its genetic strains were obtained from Spanish pointers and French pointers. Both of these breeds were known as the “Setting Spaniels” because of their ability to pin down preys during hunting activities. During the early 1800’s, the Setting Spaniels were brought to Great Britain. Sir Edward Laverack, a renowned breeder during the 1800’s developed the French and Spanish pointers into English setters by using French hunting dogs. The word “Setter” was used to name this breed because of their outstanding ability to crouch at very low levels once they discover a prey.
They are prized because of their talents in hunting, retrieving, pointing, and guarding territories. They also have surprising levels of agility, which makes them perfect for competition inside agility rings. Some people also prefer to use them in prestigious dog shows because of their outstanding beauty.
Temperament
| Affection |  |
| Cold Tolerance | |
| Ease of Training | |
| Energy level | |
| Exercise Requirements | |
| Friendliness : Children | |
| Friendliness: Other Animals | |
| Friendliness: Other Pets | |
| Grooming Requirements | |
| Heat Tolerance | |
| Playfulness | |
| Protection Ability | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
English Setters are calm, quiet, and gentle. They are very friendly with children because they adopt easy-going and affectionate traits. It is also noticeable that they are active and playful outdoors, but are relatively inactive when they are indoors. They also enjoy playing with other dogs. However, they must not be kept outside the house for very long periods because this might cause them to become an annoying barker. It is important to integrate them with family activities in order to make them feel that they are a part of the family.
The intelligence that they possess also makes them advisable for structured training. They are intelligent, approachable, and obedient, especially if they were able to undergo sufficient training and supervision.
However, they are not ideal for families living in apartments. They would be able to maximize their skills and abilities more if they can play and run around a large or average-sized yard.
Surviving hot and cold weather is one of their best skills. Their beautiful coat helps them insulate against excessive heat and cold. The good thing is that it is relatively easy to take care of an English Setter’s coat. Regular combing and brushing would be best for their long and silky coats. Bathing and shampooing must be done only when necessary. Their nails should be clipped and the hair on the bottom of their feet must be trimmed.
Health and Exercise
The English Setter has a life span of between 10 and 12 years.
They are prone to hip dysplasia. Overfeeding is also a big no because they tend to gain weight easily. Female English Setters are also susceptible to false pregnancies, so be ready for false alarms.
English Setters need daily brisk walking or jogging. They will also love running free around a fenced backyard.
Visitor Comments
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