English Setter

English Setters are very calm dogs and are good with young children. They get on well with other dogs and other pets like cats. Temperament varies depending on how much exercise and attention the dog gets. When left alone for a long time, they tends to become destructive and bark. They are very energetic so require a lot of exercise to stop them from becoming obese. They prefer a more rural life where there is much space to run around.

English Setters are slow to become house trained, it usually takes approximately 4-6 months. They are very intelligent dogs with remarkable memories but are difficult to train for someone with little dog training experience.

They have a very soft feathered coat that comes in many colours. It requires combing 2-3 times a week, especially in bad weather since it tends to mat if not taken care of properly. English Setters are about 24-27 inches tall and weigh 50-65 pounds. An average lifespan is around 13 years. Common health problems includ hip and elbow dysplasia, congenital deafness and thyroid problems.

The origins of the nglish Setter can be traced to the medieval times. Nobles with a passion for hunting wanted a dog with a very good sense of smell that could locate birds hiding in long gras. The dog would creep up close to the bird whilst the master would throw a weighted net over where the bird was hiding.