The English Setter is a hunting breed of dog that is distinguished by its obedience, elegance and perky disposition, which is why animal lovers willingly keep it as a pet.

In Great Britain, the Setter or Laverack is considered the dog of the lords. In Russia, the breed became popular among hunters in the 20s of the last century.

Description and breed standards

The English Setter is a pointing dog of medium height, good build, and elegant in movement and appearance. TO standards breeds include:

Males with a height of 65 to 68 cm centimeters must weigh no less than 25 and no more than 36 kilograms. Bitches weigh from 20 to 32 kilograms, and their height is from 61 to 65 centimeters.

Setters have graceful, free movements that naturally carry their heads high. The dog is different endurance and is able to develop good speed, pushing off with powerful hind limbs.

Color and coat type

Luxurious fur coat english spaniel acquires only by the age of two or three years. An adult pet is decorated with a wavy long wool, which is located on the keel, tail, ears and along the groin line. Grooming of dogs of this breed is prohibited.

You can only smooth the fur between the toes so that the brush looks neat.

Color wool should be:

black and speckled;
brown speckled;
yellow-speckled;
brown speckled with tan;
black and speckled with tan.

Character of the English Setter

An intelligent and balanced Setter dog is patient and sociable. The pet will love all family members and happily wag its tail even when meeting a stranger.

Laveracs have a stormy temperament, so they seem to be disobedient. In fact, they are obedient dogs with a sensitive and gentle character that easily obey commands. True, while raising a puppy you will have to be patient.

English Setters love small children and can play with them for hours. But you should not leave your baby alone with a pet, which, due to its violent temperament, can accidentally harm the child.

Laveracs will not bite under any circumstances, so you don’t need to put a muzzle on them during walks. They can be easily taken on long trips, during which there will be no problems with the dog. Both in the car and in public transport the pet will behave calmly.

English Setters bark very rarely and almost always friendly greet guests. They can sit on the sofa next to the guest and allow themselves to be petted. The dog almost never shows aggression towards the guest.

At the cops hunter's sense, which allows them to perfectly capture odors. Therefore, during a picnic in nature, you need to be prepared for the fact that your pet may steal some tasty piece from the table.

Laveraki Great get along with other pets and play with them willingly. However, in relation to rodents and birds, they may develop a hunting interest.

Since English Setters are hunting dogs, you need to be as careful with them as possible. more often walk in nature. The pet will be happy to run after small birds in the field or forest. At this time, it is very interesting to watch the cops, because during the hunt they literally transform. Laveracs are not afraid of water and whenever possible they run into a body of water, where they dive with great pleasure.

Setter dogs have excellent search skills, high performance and graceful, smooth movements that resemble those of a cat. Loving and sociable pets do not require special socialization.

English Setter training

Pointers are hunting dogs, so to train a puppy for hunting, it is better to turn to experienced dog handlers. But since setters are easy to train, you can try to cope on your own.

To do this, from the age of ten months the pet is engaged in setting up a search.

Training is carried out in three stages:

The first stage is the formulation and development of the search. In windy weather, the pet is taught to explore the area for the presence of game, walk “shuttle” and not lose the smell of future prey.
The second stage is getting to know the game. The setter must smell the birds and make a stand at the required distance. In this case, the pet moves against the wind and does not pursue game.
The third stage is getting used to shooting. The cop should be taught to calmly deal with harsh and loud sounds, which are heard when shooting.

You can teach English Setter hunting skills up to three year old age. And before the age of ten months, the dog should know the most common commands: “Come to me!”, “Place!”, “Nearby!”, “Lie down!”, “Sit!”.

Raising setters

When teaching your pet hunting skills, you should not forget about his education, which should be done as soon as the puppy gets to its new home.

First of all, the baby needs to be accustomed to his place. It should be comfortable, convenient and protected. It is not recommended to set aside a place for the puppy in the kitchen or in the hallway; it is best to place a bedding for it in the room. The puppy should rest in a place where there are no drafts or dry air, so a place in the aisle, opposite doors and near heating appliances is not suitable.

In order for the baby to get used to his place, you should first take him there and wait until he falls asleep. You cannot force a puppy to go to its bedding by shouting or force. The pet will quickly get used to it and get used to it if you accustom it with affection.

Getting used to his place, puppy simultaneously must learn to respond to his nickname, become accustomed to cleanliness and proper behavior while eating.

Dogs get used to the nickname quickly. And in order to accustom a small English setter to cleanliness, it is enough to take him outside on time. Puppies go to the toilet a few minutes after eating and sleeping.

It will be a little more difficult to teach your baby not to grab food without permission. He should start eating on command. It is also necessary to make him understand that the owner can always take away the bowl of food and the dog should not snap at the same time.

Despite the fact that English Setters are easy to educate and train, in order to grow up well well-mannered dog, you will need patience. The desired result can only be achieved through methodical daily implementation of behavioral models.

Features of caring for a setter dog

Since the breed has long, wavy, beautiful fur, you will need to get a special comb and brush. The coat will need to be combed and brushed every day, otherwise tangles will begin to form on it.

To make combing easier, you can buy it at a pet store. special rubber glove - brush. The combed dog is wiped with a damp cloth. The procedure is recommended to be carried out after walking.

You can bathe your pet no more than twice a month or as needed. Shampoos or detergents better not to use or apply special shampoos for dogs.

It is not recommended to trim the coat, but for better structure in the area of the belly and neck, you can slightly reduce the length of the feathering and dewlap. On the limbs and lower part of the body, the hair is cut during the hot summer months.

The breed has another good quality - setters shed rarely. Therefore, there will be no wool flying around the apartment, which causes frequent cleaning.

Ear care involves regular cleansing them from sulfur. For this purpose it is used boric alcohol, in which it is wetted cotton swab. It should be cleaned thoroughly, but carefully so as not to damage the eardrum.

You can tell that your pet has an ear problem by his actions. Dog scratching sore ear and tilts her head towards him. Self-medication is not recommended. You should immediately contact a veterinarian. An advanced disease can lead to serious inflammation and complications such as deafness.

Feeding

English setters for food unpretentious, so you can feed them both ready-made dry food and natural food. Ready-made feed you should choose high-quality ones, with compositions that are suitable specifically for this breed.

A diet of natural products should be balanced and fortified. As a source of protein, you can give your dog:

turkey and chicken meat;
lean fresh beef;
boiled eggs;
a small amount of lean fish.

Suitable carbohydrates for the setter:

buckwheat cooked in meat broth or oatmeal, to which vegetable oil is added;
stewed or raw vegetables– cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, pumpkin.

Fish oil or vegetable oil will be a source useful fat For good digestion pets are fed yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir or cottage cheese. Don't forget about the vitamins and minerals that you can buy at the pet store. During training, the dog can be rewarded with small pieces of cheese.

It is best to keep the English Setter in a private home, since these movable dogs love to walk and explore the surroundings. They will happily run around the yard and catch flying birds. But since the breed is unpretentious, it can be kept in an apartment, but it will require long walks, which many owners cannot afford.

In any description of the English Setter breed, the main emphasis is on their working characteristics.

They need constant movement

Origin and history

Country of origin: Great Britain

The history of the English Setter originates in Great Britain, namely in its southern part. The breed, originally called the Setting Spaniel, owes its origin to hunters who, since the 14th century, have been breeding a dog that can “stop” game birds. And in the 19th century, their efforts were crowned with success. Edward Laverack (1800-1877) and Richard Llewelyn (1840-1925) made a huge contribution to the breeding and improvement of the breed. It is believed that they are at the origins of the appearance of this dog. The former is considered the creator of the modern English Setter, while the latter specialized in breeding a separate line, which is now known as the Llewelyn Setter.

How does the breed characterize the owner?

If a person decides to get an English Setter after studying all the characteristics of the breed, this says a lot about him. The owner of such a dog is most likely an active person involved in hunting or sports. In addition, he most likely has enough free time so as not to leave his companion alone for a long time.

The breed improvement program was developed by the British Eduard Laverack, who spent about 50 years of his life on it. Then there were several more breeders. As a result, by the 90s of the last century, the setter had practically lost its hunting instincts. As a result, the breed split into two lines - show class and workhorses. In addition, the breed has several standards.

In the mid 90s english setter began mass distribution throughout Russia. Thanks to its unpretentious character, many people liked the dog.

The English Setter is one of the most ancient hunting dog breeds

She is friendly and very loyal to her owner, she easily finds mutual language with all family members and pets. The novel “White Beam, Black Ear” by Gavriil Troepolsky was written about the devotion of the English setter.

Due to their youth, dogs are passionate about games, rarely listen to their owners, and if they start chasing prey, they will not give up on their plans. Until the dog has completely learned to control its urge to go to the toilet, it should only be walked in nature.

Dogs are distinguished by their intellectual abilities, and therefore respond well to training. Simplifies the learning process and good memory. But due to its natural characteristics, the dog requires a lot of attention. Therefore, people who disappear for months at work should not start it.

Breed standard

English Setter in the photo It looks elegant, the lines of the body are well defined, everything looks perfectly balanced. carries his long and dry head high. She has a well developed occipital protuberance, and the skull is rounded between the ears.

The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is clearly defined, the nasal lobe is either black or brown, and the nostrils are wide. The muzzle visually resembles a square, strong jaws have a regular scissor bite.

The dog looks at those around him with a soft, expressive gaze of clear oval eyes. Their color is variable, both nutty and dark brown tones are possible, and the darker the better.

The medium ears are low set and hang close to the cheeks. The ends are velvety, and the top is covered with wavy fur. The long, muscular, dry neck widens toward the shoulders. The medium body with a short straight back ends in a wide, slightly convex loin. The chest is deep and wide, the ribs are convex.

The tail is set almost at the level of the spine. It is of medium length, not curled, slightly curved, and covered with hair underneath. The coat is silky to the touch, long and shiny. The breed standard allows for several colors.

For example, in black, orange, lemon and brown colors there is mottling. There are three-colored setters, as well as black and speckled and tan ones. The height of males reaches 68 cm, the height of females is 65 cm.

Fearfulness and aggression, as well as various physical abnormalities, are considered disqualifying defects. Males should have two well-developed testes, which are lowered into the scrotum.

Popular colors of English Setters

Care and maintenance

English Setter breed It is considered difficult to care for due to its beautiful long and wavy fur. When neglected, the fur coat falls into tangles, especially on the paws and belly, where there is fringe.

Therefore, you should arm yourself with a brush and comb and accustom your dog to daily procedures from a young age. If the dog is used as a gun dog, its care must be even more thorough.

Bath procedures are recommended no more than two or three times within six months. Worth using special means for caring for the coat of this breed. After bathing, the dog should be blotted with a terry towel and the coat should be dried with a hairdryer.

Nails should be trimmed from time to time. During the summer months, it is also recommended to trim your dog's fur on his lower body and limbs. You can entrust the entire care complex to groomers.

Long floppy ears also require painstaking care. Dirt and sulfur accumulate in them, and in the warm season the amount of dirt increases significantly.

If you ignore cleaning, otitis is most likely inevitable, and in some cases it can even become chronic. Prevention of the disease will be daily procedures using boric acid tampon.

He feels quite comfortable both in a city apartment and outside the city. But due to its hunting instincts, the setter needs long walks with good physical activity. The best option, if the owner is fond of hunting and from time to time he can take the pet with him to track down game.

Nutrition

Representatives of this breed rarely complain of appetite. And therefore the most important rule For the owner, there should be a lack of biting in the animal’s life.

Like most hunting dogs, the setter adopts a characteristic posture

It is important to ensure that your dog does not overeat. Obesity can be avoided if you feed your dog high-quality natural products. In the case of dry food, it is important to follow the correct portion dosage.

English setter puppies eat frequently and in smaller doses, up to 5-6 times a day. Adult dogs eat up to two times a day. Proteins predominate in the diet - low-fat varieties meat and sea or ocean fish.

Eggs are allowed twice a week. It's better if it's yolks. Proteins are almost not absorbed by the dog’s body. Setters can be fed porridge. Buckwheat and rice cereals should predominate.

You can add a little to vegetables vegetable oil. In addition to natural nutrition need vitamin supplements. Any products should be administered in small doses to monitor possible allergic reactions dogs.

As is the case with other breeds, setters are not recommended for baking, sweets, chocolate is especially dangerous, and tubular bones. In general, bones are best given when teething, as a toy. In other cases, they are practically useless.

Possible diseases

Among the ailments that accompany dog breeds english setter, The leading place is occupied by allergies, not only to food, but to plant pollen.

The dog inherits this disease genetically, as well as the tendency to blindness. The eyes need special care, at the slightest suspicion of problems with eyeball or retina, you should sound the alarm and seek an appointment with a veterinarian.

In addition, the breed is plagued by musculoskeletal disorders, in particular different types dysplasia of joints - elbow and hip. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to take calcium-containing medications, as well as fermented milk products and herbs if the dog eats natural food.

Some representatives of setters have problems with swallowing - their esophagus muscles spasm. Volvulus of the stomach and intestines often occurs. This dangerous conditions requiring prompt hospitalization. Here, the best antidote is a half-hour rest after eating.

English setter puppy

In other cases, a well-designed diet, as well as high-quality dog care and caring for your own pet, will help you avoid diseases. They won't hurt either preventive visits see a veterinarian at least once every six months.

Price

Average english setter price in Russia is about 25-30 thousand rubles. But this cost is very conditional. Those who are more or less familiar with the world of dogs, their classes, and the subtleties of other differences know that many factors influence the cost.

For example, the place where the dog was purchased is one of the decisive factors. If this is a market, it costs an order of magnitude cheaper than from a breeder. In the nursery, the animal is valued even more expensive.

English Setter puppies have an innate hunting instinct.

And this is not surprising - here the future owner will be provided Required documents, including confirmation of pedigree, as well as a veterinary passport with evidence of vaccination and treatment against worms. If we are talking about an elite show class dog, then prices can reach 70-80 thousand per puppy.

The popularity of the breed began in the mid-90s and continues to this day, so there should be no problems with choosing a kennel. But before buy an English setter, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the parameters that contribute to the selection of the most best representative.

English Setter

Fri, 12/31/1858 - 12:00

Lifespan

“By the age of two, Bim had become an excellent hunting dog, trusting and honest. He already knew about a hundred words related to hunting and home: say Ivan Ivanovich “give it” - it will be done, say he “give me the slippers” - he’ll give it, “carry the bowl” - he will bring it, “on the chair!” - he will sit on the chair. What’s that! I already understood from his eyes: the owner looks at the person well, and he - familiar to Bim from that very moment - will look unfriendly - and sometimes Bim will even growl, even "He caught flattery (affectionate flattery) in the voice of a stranger. But Bim never bit anyone - even if he stepped on the tail. By barking he will warn at night that a stranger is approaching the fire, please, but bite - under no circumstances. Such an intelligent breed" - These are lines from the famous and beloved work of Gabriel Troepolsky "White Bim" Black Ear". Perhaps not everyone has read it, but many of you have probably watched the film. There is nothing to add to this description, all English setters are like that. Of course, the book described the Scottish setter, however this characteristic fully corresponds to English. By the way, in the film the role of Bim was played by two English setters; Scots of this color simply do not exist.

History of the breed

These wonderful, beautiful and elegant hunters were developed several centuries ago. Dogs of this breed first appeared at an exhibition in England in 1859. And the Frenchman Edward Laverack began to engage in their targeted breeding in 1825. Thanks to his activities, the modern setter has best qualities hunter and tracker. Laverack managed to create the perfect setter through strict selection for exterior and hunting qualities. It is believed that this type of dog originally appeared due to the crossing of the Old Spanish Pointer with the Water and Springer Spaniels. At the beginning of the 20th century, English Setters became extremely popular and were exported to the United States and other countries around the world.

Appearance

The English Setter is a dog with strong bones and well-developed muscles. She is squat, slightly elongated. Her head is long. The transition from forehead to muzzle is well defined. The length of the muzzle is almost equal to the length of the skull. The bridge of the nose is straight. The nose is large, black or brown colors. Lips are thin, upper lip hangs slightly over the bottom. The ears are located at eye level, drooping and thin, of medium length, with rounded tips, lying close to the cheekbones. Round eyes are a must dark color. The neck is long, strong and muscular. Rib cage moderate width, fairly long, with developed, slightly protruding ribs. The stomach is moderately tucked. The back is straight and short. The loin is wide. The croup is slightly sloping. The limbs are strong and muscular, straight, parallel to each other. The paws are oval-shaped, closed. The tail is straight or saber-shaped, carried low or at the level of the back. The coat is straight, thick, shiny and silky. The body is covered with medium-length hair. On the ears, on the lower part of the chest, on the back of the limbs, as well as on the underside of the tail, the hair is longer and thicker than on the body, it forms feathers, and on the tail there is a dewlap. The color can be one color - white, steel; two-color - bluish-white, black-and-white, liver-white, or speckled, orange- or lemon-white; tricolor - on a white background with black and orange spots or speckles in places of tan. Speckled colors without large colored spots on the body are preferable. If the color is one color, the limbs should be speckled.

Character and temperament

English setters are one of the most intelligent, polite and balanced dogs. Representatives of this breed are kind, affectionate, faithful and devoted. They love to be among people, especially among their loved ones. They incredibly quickly become attached to their owner and are ready to do anything for him. English setters are perhaps the most efficient and flexible of all the cops. These dogs are a pleasure to train: they quickly remember commands; understand what is required of them; always ready to train. However, they regularly need to come up with something new, otherwise they will quickly get bored with the exercises. English setters are created specifically for hunting, they have an excellent sense of smell, they are hardy and brave, agile and fast. The only thing needed for happy life These dogs need the love and attention of their owner.

Health and illness

English setters are predisposed to diseases such as dysplasia hip joint. It is hereditary. Therefore, before purchasing a puppy, you need to carefully study its pedigree, because the English Setter is hunting dog for whom it is vital to move a lot. And this is absolutely impossible with such a disease. Of course, hip dysplasia is corrected by surgical intervention or with the help of medications. However, the severity of dysplasia depends on the dog's living conditions. If your puppy is prone to this disease, do not expose him to strong physical stress, do not let him jump and go down stairs on his own. Dysplasia can appear at any age, however, Special attention The puppy needs to be given enough during the growing period. To ensure that the muscles are well developed, the pet can swim a lot instead of running long distances. Swimming has a beneficial effect on the entire body and does not harm the joints at all. Also, never overfeed your pet. Heavy weight creates additional stress on the joints and contributes to the development of dysplasia. English Setters can sometimes experience allergic reactions to food. Therefore, do not feed your pet exotic fruits, and slowly introduce into the diet foods that the dog has never eaten before. Another hereditary disease in dogs of this breed is congenital blindness.

English setter is enough calm dog, which is suitable for keeping in an apartment. Definitely intense physical exercise and she needs long walks, just like other active and energetic hunting dogs. Every day you need to walk your setter for at least two hours. If you live in a private home, please note that these dogs are not designed to live on a leash. And it will be quite difficult for the setter in the enclosure; he will begin to feel sad. Dogs of this breed need constant communication with their owner; they do not like loneliness at all. Also, do not forget to regularly care for your pupil’s coat. The setter should be brushed several times a week. You should also pluck particularly long hair under the ears and on the neck; Keep a close eye on the feathers on the animal's limbs, which may fall off if left untreated. long time do not comb. In order for the puppy to get used to everyone hygiene procedures, be sure to give him treats as a reward. Then the puppy will enjoy brushing, bathing, and even cleaning his ears and teeth. Carefully inspect the paw pads of your English Setter - lubricate them with vegetable oil if cracks appear. Also remember to trim the fur between his paw pads.

Training, training

“In the meadows and fields, everything is clear there: space, grass, bread, the owner is always visible, go with a shuttle in a wide search, search, find, make a stand and wait for an order. Lovely! But here, in the forest, it’s a completely different matter” - These lines, all from the same work about Bim, truly illustrate the feeling of a dog who finds himself in the forest for the first time. There is a lot in the forest different sounds, smells, living creatures, which the dog must get used to in order for the hunt to be effective in the future. WITH early childhood you need to visit the puppy in the forest, familiarize him with the environment. The puppy should not be afraid of unfamiliar sounds and objects. From childhood, give your pet the opportunity to communicate with other animals and strangers so that he gains complete self-confidence. Of course, you also need to teach the puppy obedience so that he immediately follows the command he hears. English setters are very smart and flexible, they are easy to train. However, in order for your pet to unconditionally obey your orders, he must completely trust you. Therefore, never punish an English Setter; rough and cruel treatment will make him aggressive or timid, which is contrary to the nature of dogs of this breed.

Special attention should be paid to the diet of a hunting dog. In order for your dog to always be able to work, active and cheerful, everything must be supplied to his body along with food. essential vitamins and minerals. It is especially important that the food is rich in protein. Although, of course, it should contain both fats and carbohydrates. Offal products are rich in vitamins (heart, liver, kidneys), sea fish, eggs, carrots, cabbage, nuts. In order for your animal's body to receive vitamin C, you can give your pet a few tablespoons of sauerkraut once a week. Don't forget about dairy products. Cottage cheese, which contains a large amount of calcium, is very useful. Vegetables and fruits should be grated and given along with a small amount of vegetable oil. It is not recommended to give minced meat to dogs; in minced form it is poorly digestible; Before use, it must be cut into small pieces. Products to be exposed heat treatment no need. Raw fish and meat should be kept in storage for about five days before consumption. freezer at a temperature of minus eight. Do not feed your dog processed foods, sweets, yeast baked goods, citrus fruits, grapes, potatoes (you can sometimes feed them raw), and foods with spices. Pure water The animal should have it in its bowl around the clock.

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26. January 2015

The English Setter is a medium-sized pointing dog. These are gentle, but sometimes willful, mischievous hunting dogs, bred for long searches. They are used to hunt game such as quail, pheasant, and black grouse.

The English Setter is a good-natured dog that has no aggression towards humans or malice.

They love children very much and become best friends with them.

Intelligent, they can be stubborn and not subservient.

They often vocalize and this can become a problem when kept in an apartment.

However, they are so-so suitable for an apartment, especially work lines.

These are very energetic dogs that need large quantities exercise and activity.

History of the breed

Despite the fact that the breed is more ancient, its history can be traced back to the 15th century, when the first mentions of the English Setter appeared.

They are believed to be descended from spaniels, one of the oldest subgroup of hunting dogs. Spaniels were extremely common in Western Europe during the Renaissance.

There were many different types, each specialized in a particular hunt and it is believed that they were divided into water spaniels (for hunting in wetlands) and field spaniels, those that hunted only on land. One of them became known as the setting spaniel, due to its unique hunting method.

Most spaniels hunt by lifting the bird into the air, forcing the hunter to hit it in flight.

The setting spaniel would find prey, sneak up and take a stance. It was probably later crossed with other hunting breeds, which led to an increase in size. However, there is no clarity here to this day, as there are no reliable sources.

In 1872, E. Laverack, one of the largest English breeders, described the English Setter as an "improved spaniel." Another classic book, Reverend Pierce, published in 1872, states that the setting spaniel was the first setter.

Most experts believe that the Setting Spaniel was crossed with other hunting dogs to increase its strength and size. But with which ones is a mystery. The Spanish, Bloodhound, extinct Talbot Hound and others are mentioned most often.

Although the exact date of creation of the breed is unknown, these dogs appear in paintings and books about 400 years ago. At that time, firearms were not yet common as hunting weapons.

Instead, the hunters used a net that they threw over the birds. The dog's task was to find the bird and point it out to the owner. At first they just lay on the ground, and that’s where it went Russian word a pointer, but then they started doing a stance.

For several hundred years, dogs were kept solely for their working qualities, focusing only on their qualities and character. Because of this, the first dogs were extremely varied in appearance. Colors, sizes, body structure - all this was quite diverse.

Standardization of the breed began with the English Foxhound, when breeders created the first stud books. But, to XVIII century the fashion for it also reached other English dogs.

The man who first began to standardize the English Setter was Edward Laverack (1800-1877). It is to him that modern dogs owe their appearance. In this work he was assisted by another Englishman, R. Purcell Llewellin (1840-1925).

Llewellyn's setters were of extremely high quality and his lines survive to this day. Within the breed, these lines were divided and there are even such names in English as: Llewellin Setters and Laverack Setter, but these are all English setters, and not separate breeds.

The first appearance of the breed at a dog show occurred in 1859 in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. As they appeared on the show, their popularity grew. Gradually they became very common in Great Britain and came to America.

In just a few decades, the English Setter has become the most popular gun dog in the United States. American hunters are especially fond of the Lavellin line.

Since the breeders were at the origins of the creation of the American Kennel Club (AKC), they did not delay in recognizing the breed and by 1884 they officially registered it. When the United Kennel Club (UKC) split from this club, again, the breed was recognized as one of the first.

Despite the fact that dog shows played a big role in popularizing the breed, they also led to the appearance of dogs not adapted to work. Over the decades, show dogs have become significantly different from working dogs.

They have longer fur, and their hunting instinct is dulled and less pronounced. While both types make excellent companion dogs, most families find it easier to keep a show dog as it requires less activity and work.

Over time, he lost the palm to other hunting breeds, especially. They are significantly slower and work at a short distance from the hunter, losing to other breeds.

This led to them being ranked 101st in popularity in the United States in 2010. Although its popularity has decreased, the population is fairly stable.

Description of the breed

In general, the English Setter is similar to other setters, but is somewhat smaller and has a different color. Working and show dogs often differ significantly.

It's pretty large dogs, males at the withers reach 69 cm, females 61 cm. They weigh 30-36 kg. There is no specific standard for work lines, but they are usually 25% smaller and weigh up to 30 kg.

Both varieties are quite muscular and athletic. These are strong dogs, but they cannot be called fat. Show class dogs are usually heavier compared to the light and graceful working dogs. The tail is straight, without bending, set in line with the back.

One of the features of the English Setter that sets him apart from other Setters is his coat. It is straight, not silky, quite long in both variations, but in show dogs it is significantly longer. They come in a variety of colors, but are known for their unique, so-called Belton.

These are speckled colors, the size of the spots is sometimes no larger than a pea. Some spots may merge to form larger ones, but this is not desirable. Common colors: black and speckled (blue belton), orange and speckled (orange belton), yellow and speckled (lemon belton), brown and speckled (liver belton) or tri-color, that is, black and speckled with tan or brown speckled with tan . Some organizations allow pure black or white color, but such dogs are very rare.

Character

Both types differ slightly in character, but this concerns energy and work ability. A highly people-oriented breed. There is nothing more important to him than to be close to his owner.

They love to get in the way and follow their owner around the house. In addition, they suffer seriously from loneliness if they are left alone for a long time.

But this is the friendliest of all setters. Although they prefer the company of familiar people, they consider strangers as potential friends. They are friendly themselves, but some can be very friendly.

It is important to control this moment, as they can jump on your chest and try to lick your face, which not everyone likes.

They may not be guard dogs, because they do not experience aggression towards humans. This makes the English Setter a great family dog, especially gentle with children. Most dogs adore children because they pay attention to them and are always ready to play.

Puppies can be somewhat rambunctious and energetic, do not calculate their strength when playing, and even the youngest children can be accidentally pushed. Families who are willing to provide their setter with sufficient attention and care will receive an exceptional companion in return.

Aggression towards other dogs is also unknown to setters. They have no dominance, territoriality, or jealousy. Moreover, most prefer the company of their own kind, especially if they match their temperament and energy.

Although socialization has great importance, most are friendly and polite towards other dogs. Some, especially working lines, are not suitable for keeping with lazy dogs who will be terrified of this ball of energy.

Even though they are a hunting dog, they have few problems with other animals. The instinct remains, but this is a cop and its task is not to pursue the animal, only to find and point it out.

Like other dogs, they can attack small animals, especially if they are not socialized. However, with proper upbringing, they are quite calm towards cats, rabbits, etc. Only small animals, such as rodents, are in danger. Some may stress out cats by trying to play with them.

These are quite trainable dogs, but often not without difficulties. They are smart and can learn most commands very quickly. English setters successfully perform in obedience and agility; they have an innate hunting instinct.

However, although they are eager to please, they are not a subservient breed and will not stand up to hind legs at the slightest nod. If you have had or similar breed, then training will seem difficult to you.

At the same time, they can be quite stubborn; if the setter has decided that he will not do something, then it is difficult to force him. Many will think that they cannot complete the task well enough and will not do it at all, which upsets the owner. They are more than smart and are able to understand what will work for them and what will not.

They behave accordingly. But they cannot be called self-willed, just as they cannot be called disobedient. You cannot use roughness and force when training, as this will have the opposite effect. They only listen to those they respect and treat with kind words will help you earn that respect.

The main difference between show and working dogs is their activity and exercise requirements. Both varieties are very energetic and need a lot of activity.

Only the work lines are more active, which is logical. They are capable of working and playing for long hours.

If for exhibition lines a daily long walk and the opportunity to run freely are enough, then working dog It is better to keep it in a private home, with the opportunity to run freely around the yard.

It is almost impossible to keep a working dog in an apartment, and the larger the yard, the better. Active owners will be able to keep show dogs without any problems, but workers can work even experienced athletes to death.

But, if you do not meet their demands for loads, then the excess energy will result in behavioral problems. These dogs can be very destructive and hyperactive, nervous. If they have found an outlet for energy, then the houses are relaxed and quiet. Moreover, the majority turn into couch potatoes and spend most day on the couch.

Care

Significant, especially behind the exhibition lines. They need daily brushing, otherwise mats will appear in their fur. The wool needs to be trimmed quite regularly, but it is better to contact a specialist.

Show lines are trimmed every 5-6 weeks, while production lines are trimmed more often. They shed profusely and the fur covers carpets, sofas, and furniture. The coat is especially noticeable as it is long and white. If your family members suffer from allergies or don't like dog hair, then this is definitely not the breed for you.

Particular attention should be paid to the ears, as their shape contributes to the accumulation of dirt, fat, and this can cause inflammation. To avoid problems, ears are regularly cleaned and examined after a walk.

Health

The English Setter is considered a healthy breed. Breeders try to select the strongest dogs and remove dogs with hereditary diseases. They have enough long duration The lifespan for a dog of this size is from 10 to 12 years, although they live up to 15 years.

The most common disease in the breed is deafness. Deafness is common in animals with white coat color. Setters suffer from both complete and partial deafness.

In 2010, Louisiana State University conducted a study of 701 dogs and found that 12.4% were deaf. Despite the fact that this is considered normal for the breed, breeders try to get rid of such dogs and prevent them from being bred.