The English Setter is a hunting dog that, as the name suggests, comes from England. It is considered to be loving and particularly child-friendly, which makes it a popular family dog. With its social and sensitive nature, it is not suitable as a guard dog.
Content: English Setter
- profile
- Special features
- Nutrition
- Health and care
- The right accessories
- Origin & History
- Conclusion
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English Setter - Profile
- Character: Friendly, Active
- Size: Medium
- Height: 61 – 68 cm
- Weight: 20 – 36 kg
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
- Coat type: Long hair
- Color: Black-white, brown-white, yellow-white, orange-white
- FCI Group: Pointing Dogs
English Setter - Special Characteristics
The English Setter has a strong coat growth. The basic color is white, which is spotted with blue, brown and yellow fur. Color combinations with up to three colors are possible. The mostly brown eyes are large and look loyal and attentive. The medium-length floppy ears round off a friendly and pretty face. As a hunting dog, it is dynamic and slim, which is not immediately apparent under the thick fur.
In keeping with his hunting past, he enjoys exercise and activities of all kinds. English Setters seem to be young at heart, so children feel particularly at home in families with children. These sensitive dogs need a well-protected home and are loyal to their owners. Although they have a certain protective instinct and can indicate danger, they should not be used as guard dogs. He calms down far too quickly and is too happy to have visitors to be a deterrent. He welcomes other dogs just as much, so encounters with other dogs should not be a problem for the English Setter.
However, his hunting instinct should not be underestimated, because if he smells a cat, rabbit or deer, he will run away. It takes good training to break him of this behavior.
English Setter - What should be considered regarding nutrition?
As with alldog breeds , we recommend high-quality dog food for the English Setter. By this we mean that the food of choice should not contain any unnecessary additives, such as animal or bone meal. Instead, it should have a high meat content and grains should be avoided if possible . For active dogs like the English Setter, protein-rich dog food is a good option. Many manufacturers cover a wide range of requirements with their range. It is best to take a look at our food brand check to get a good overview. Many manufacturers also provide information on the right amount of food for their products, but in the end you have to decide for yourself and weigh your dog from time to time to get a feel for the right amount.
It is not just size and age that are important, but also how active the dog is. Make sure to remember that treats also count towards the daily balance. To get a better overview, it is recommended to always set aside the same amount as the dog gets at the beginning. This way, at the end of the day, it is easy to see how many treats have been added to the normal meals. This of course also applies to "healthy" and low-fat treats. Since English Setters easily gain weight when they don't exercise, it is advisable to always ensure that they exercise before they can eat after a short rest.
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English Setter - Health and Care
A trustworthy breeder should always be a basic requirement when buying a dog, but since the English Setter is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, the pedigree and condition of the breeding dogs should be looked at very carefully. If these animals are already suffering from diseases, unfortunately it is not advisable to have the puppies.
The best care for such an active dog is plenty of exercise. This is especially important for neutered animals, as they gain weight more quickly. Since the English Setter has a lot of fur, daily grooming with a brush is part of everyday life. This not only prevents matting, but also prevents dead hair from spreading throughout the apartment.
Despite his wild mane, he rarely needs a bath, and if it is really necessary, even dog shampoo should be used sparingly. Cleaning the ears is important for all dogs, but especially for dogs with floppy ears. Since little air gets into the ears, they are more susceptible to infections. With regular cleaning, there should be no problems.
English Setter - The right accessories
The list of accessories for dog owners can be quite extensive. A sturdy collar or harness, leash, food and water bowl, dog bed and possibly a transport box for the car are the most important things. Then there are care products for the fur, paws or means to ward off parasites such as ticks. The English Setter has a strong hunting and playing instinct, so dog toys are also part of the equipment. A simple rope or a ball can be enough to keep him busy. Since he loves to fetch, fetch bones for dogs are a good option. For regular transport in the car, we recommend a dog transport box or a partition to the trunk.
English Setter - Origin & History
Many experts believe that the English Setter originated around 400 years ago from a cross between Spanish Pointers, Springer Spaniels and Water Spaniels. They were bred to hunt birds and small animals. With their good nose and relatively small body size, they were perfectly suited for this.
A certain Sir Edward Laverack had a decisive influence on this dog breed, establishing the breed standards for the English Setter over many decades. In 1860 he won several prizes for his breeding and earned good money from the sale of purebred English Setters. This dog breed has been recognized by the FCI since 1963.
Conclusion
The English Setter is a perfect family dog that loves children and always causes a stir. It never gets boring with them, especially because they can be stubborn and are not always easy to train. But with a little patience and dedication, anyone who is active enough can find a loyal companion in this beautiful dog breed. If you would like to find out more about the different dog breeds, you can take a look at ourdog breed overview .
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