home Audience 4 English Setter - description of the breed. The English Setter is a great hunter and a true friend. Setter dog breed description of the breed

English Setter - description of the breed. The English Setter is a great hunter and a true friend. Setter dog breed description of the breed

Have you ever thought that show dogs (find out how to prepare a pet for an exhibition) can combine, in addition to excellent external data, also good working qualities, for example, in terms of participation in hunting? If you, like many other dog owners, continue to doubt that this is possible, and think that animals for exhibitions are intended solely for titles and awards, but not for work in hunting, then our today’s publication about English Setter dogs is a must will convince you.

So, appearance of setters, features of their character and behavior, history of the breed, features of care, breed diseases of these dogs and many other interesting things related to English setters– all this awaits you in our publication today...

Appearance of an English Setter

According to generally accepted breed standards, the English Setter is a dog of above average height that is well built and elegant in its movements and appearance. Oh, the speed and endurance of these dogs (a direct hint at their working qualities) is evidenced by their graceful and free movements, by the way, when examining such a dog from behind, the hip, knee and hock joints should be on the same line - this is a sign of the breed, and the head should be held high naturally. The coat of English Setters from the top of the head in line with the ears is slightly wavy but not curly, silky and long, the fur on the front legs has a developed backcomb.

As for the color of these dogs, it can be either black-speckled, orange-speckled, brown-speckled, yellow-speckled or 3-colored. The tail of dogs (would you like to know?) is set almost in line with the back, is of medium length, not curled or tucked, which makes it similar in shape to a saber. When the setter moves, it usually waves it from side to side in a friendly manner and does not lift it above the level of its back.

The height of an adult male English Setter reaches 68 centimeters at the withers, while females are slightly lower - 65 centimeters.

In order for you to more clearly imagine this dog, remember the movie released in 1977 called White Bim Black Ear, and although according to the script Bim was supposed to be played by a Scottish setter (a close relative of the English setter), it was the dog who played him the breed that we are considering today.

Characteristics of the English Setter

Despite the fact that these dogs can take part in hunting, they are distinguished by their unusually friendly disposition and good nature, energy and mobility. These are completely family dogs that can be owned even by families with small children. The setter will become a reliable friend and protector for the younger generation, as well as a playmate. By the way, regarding the latter, since setters are very energetic dogs, you will have to devote a sufficient amount of time and attention to allowing their energy to splash out in the right direction. Therefore, get ready for long and active outdoor activities. Well, what will help you control the behavior of such dogs is that you train them.

Tendency to learn

Setters are good at learning, although sometimes they are stubborn. However, you, as an experienced owner, will definitely be able to find an approach to your dog and be able to learn new commands with it quickly enough.

A few more points that I would like to draw the attention of future and current setter owners is that these dogs behave like puppies until they are 2 years old. So, be patient and wait for your big puppy to finally grow up. And, before that, he will chew on everything that catches his eye - your shoes, pencils, cans, and will not deny himself the pleasure of stealing something from your table (the setter’s height allows him to do this).

Emotionality of English Setters

As for their emotionality, these are very responsive dogs who love affection and subtly sense the mood of their owner. Well, the fact that your setter is in a good mood and is now ready to embrace the whole world will be evidenced by his current drooling. Yes, yes, like the well-known St. Bernards, these dogs drool. But one can come to terms with this shortcoming.

Attitude towards other animals

As for the relationship between setters and other pets, they are very friendly, and will never be the first to attack or offend another of your pets - a cat or another dog.

By the way, English setters are very good, so if a dog raises the alarm, it means it is doing it for a reason.

Character Flaws of the English Setter

The only flaw in the character of English setters can be considered the fact that they cannot stand loneliness. Therefore, for those people who are absent for a long time and often, it is better to opt for another breed of dog that is less vulnerable to loneliness.

History of the English Setter breed

The English Setter breed is usually classified as a pointer, and the representatives of the modern branch of the breed themselves are direct descendants of old European dog breeds, which back in the Middle Ages were used to participate in bird hunting with a net. However, in the 17-18th century, against the backdrop of the spread of hunting firearms, and the fact that such methods of catching birds and animals using nets were a little forgotten, the breed began to forget its hunting roots and became more show-worthy. But, over time, dog breeders remembered the hunting roots of setters and tried to correct the mistakes of the past, the result of which was a more beautiful stance, faster movement and newfound skills of setters. All this was achieved thanks to inbreeding and selection of dogs. At the same time, well-known dog breeders at that time, including E. Laverack, took part in shaping the appearance and performance characteristics of this widespread breed among setters.

Features of caring for English Setter dogs

Walking with English Setters

We have already mentioned above that English setters are unusually active and agile dogs that need physical activity and long walks. Therefore, make sure to walk your setter for at least several hours a day - this will help keep the dog in good shape and maintain its excellent appearance and working qualities. But the absence of such stress can negatively affect the health of dogs and cause setters to become ill.

English Setter Coat Care

As for caring for the coat of English Setters, given that these dogs are not short-haired, you will need to regularly brush and comb out the Setter's coat in order to avoid tangling. It is recommended not to forget about water procedures - in principle, English setters, like other hunting dogs, love to swim, therefore, you should not have problems with this, the main thing to remember is that the shampoo should be special, intended for dogs and for Setter coat type.

It is recommended to pay special attention to the combing in the knee area - the hair there very often falls off, for this it will be necessary to comb it more often in those places. And, here is the long hair in the neck area and under the ears - it is better to cut it off. The hair between the dog's paw pads should also be carefully trimmed.

What to feed an English Setter

You should be very careful when switching your dog to a new diet, as this can lead to stomach upset. Feeding should be regular, however, the pet should not overeat - for puppies 3-4 meals a day will be enough, and for adult dogs 2 meals a day. For weakened dogs or those with illness, the frequency of feedings increases by 1 time.

Setters can be fed with both natural products and specialized food. However, if you are not sure that you can guarantee your pet a varied diet from natural products, it is better to give preference to specialized food. But their choice must be approached more than carefully - the food should not be cheap, of high quality, the source of protein in it should be animal meat, and not poultry or soy, and their expiration dates should also be in order.

In any case, no matter what your dog eats, it is recommended to give it 20 grams of butter daily, spread on a piece of black bread - this is very good for the coat and the liver.

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 devoted to her owner, easily finding a common 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 improves 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 her 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, black, orange, lemon and brown colors have speckling. 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. It is worth using special hair care products for 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 a tampon soaked in boric acid.

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 is if the owner is fond of hunting and from time to time can take the pet with him to track down game.

Nutrition

Representatives of this breed rarely complain of appetite. Therefore, the most important rule for the owner should be the absence of biting in the life of the animal.

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. The diet is dominated by proteins - lean meats 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 vegetable oil to vegetables. In addition to natural nutrition, vitamin supplements are needed. Any foods should be administered in small doses to monitor for possible allergic reactions in the dog.

As is the case with other breeds, setters are not recommended for baking, sweets, chocolate is especially dangerous, as well as 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 the 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 various types of joint dysplasia - 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. These are dangerous conditions that require prompt hospitalization. Here, the best antidote is a half-hour rest after eating.

English setter puppy

In other cases, a well-formulated diet, as well as high-quality dog care and caring for your own pet will help to avoid diseases. Preventative visits to the veterinarian, at least once every six months, won’t hurt either.

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 with the necessary documents, including confirmation of pedigree, as well as a veterinary passport with evidence of vaccination and deworming treatment. 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 best representative.

Get to know this hunting breed of dog, the English Setter, take a look at its photo and description. Details of dog care.

	Training
	Mind
	Shedding
	Guard qualities
	Security qualities
	Popularity
	Size
	Agility
	Attitude towards children

Origin of the English Setter

Opinions about the origin of the English Setter are very contradictory. According to some evidence, dogs of this breed took part in the hunting raids of the Earl of Leicester back in the 16th century. Some authors attribute Spanish origin to the setter, while others directly derive it from the spaniel. In a word, it is not easy to determine the true roots of the setter. It is only known that the setter, as such, is a purely English breed, regardless of the homeland of its ancestors.

Many people are mistakenly convinced that the creator of the breed was Sir Edward Lavrack. However, this gentleman, who lived in the 19th century, did not create the English Setter breed, but only significantly improved its quality. Specimens bred by Lavrack were highly prized among English hunters, as well as in Scotland.

Thus, it can be argued that Lavrek’s activities played a decisive role in the transition from the ancient history of the setter to the modern one. The setter came to Russia at the beginning of the 20th century.

Setter character

The Setter is a balanced and intelligent dog, highly trainable, tolerant of other dogs and very sociable with humans. Living in the house, she proves herself to be a devoted friend and very... Many people think that the setter is quite disobedient - nothing like that. He just has a violent temperament that needs to be contained. Naturally, to raise him, you should stock up on a little patience and not resort to traumatic methods.

Caring for an English Setter

The Setter's coat is relatively long and wavy, and as a result it tends to become ruffled and tangled, especially on the fringed areas, chest and ears, so it is necessary to brush the dog regularly, especially when returning from a hunt. After this procedure, the coat becomes shiny and soft again.

It is equally important to clean your dog's ears regularly. Dirt and wax accumulating in the ears often leads to otitis media, which can become chronic. To carry out this procedure, a cotton swab soaked in boric acid or another drying and cleaning substance that does not cause irritation is sufficient.

Your eyes also need regular washing. In this case, use a cotton swab soaked in cold water. If the eyes are watery, it is necessary to examine them by lifting the eyelids and, if foreign particles are found there, rinse the eyes with copious amounts of water.

Now let's talk about the habits of an adult dog. The practice of worker education first arose in England. Their purpose is to test pointers and setters. Unfortunately, over time, these tests turned into pure competition. Dogs are judged on their suitability for one category or another rather than on their actual hunting ability.

Now let’s take a break from the past and talk about the setter’s gait. First of all, it is worth emphasizing that in contrast to, whose gait resembles the running of a thoroughbred English stallion. The setter's gait is more like that of a cat. He runs at a fast, smooth and very careful gallop. The last of these qualities allows him to hunt in the forest, where his silky coat dampens the rustle of the branches that he pushes aside in his path and makes him almost silent. Another characteristic that distinguishes a setter from a pointer is its way of standing in front of game. The setter in the stance position slows down and begins to lead the game. At the same time, he moves on half-bent legs, almost touching the ground with his chest, but holding his head high so as not to lose the scent and leads until he catches the game, thus performing a maneuver that hunters call cat-like. Watching this dog at work, one cannot help but admire this true masterpiece of hunting art.

English Setter (English Setter) or Laverack- the most famous and widespread breed among setters. Elegant in movement and appearance, this dog is also very resilient. A playful, perky disposition is combined with intelligence and obedience.

History of the origin of the English Setter breed

The English Setter is a direct descendant of old European dogs that were used back in the Middle Ages to hunt birds with nets. They were bred at the beginning of the 16th century in France, as a result of crossing French and Spanish pointers, and at the beginning of the 19th century these dogs were brought to England. In the 17th - 18th centuries, due to the spread of hunting firearms, dogs underwent a transformation: their speed accelerated, and a beautiful stance appeared.

The "Birthday" and formation of the English Setter is known as
breed - January 28, 1859. Then the first exhibition of English setters was held in England (Newcastle upon Tyne). At the beginning of the 19th century, long-haired English pointers were bred in large numbers in different parts of England, and each breeder represented a separate breed. However, the foundation of this dog breed was laid back in 1825, when E. Laverack (he owes the second name of the breed, which used to be especially common) began to purposefully breed the type of hunting dogs he defined. Over 35 years of breeding work, through the use of even close inbreeding* and the most severe selection for exterior and hunting qualities, he achieved perfection and created the type of English setter that he expected to see, and that exists today. In addition to Laverack himself, a huge contribution to the development of the breed was made by his student, D. Llewellyn, who later became a competitor of his teacher.

By the middle of the 19th century, on the basis of the dogs bred by Laverack, numerous breeders continued breeding setters, and some of them were interested precisely in the exhibition, rather than working, qualities of these dogs. At the end of the 19th century, many English setters were exported to the USA, these were both show and field trail (working) dogs, so from the very beginning breeding there was divided into two branches: show and field. Soon the English Setter gained great popularity where its history began - in France.

In 1880, General Astashev brought a male dog Roger from nursery Purcell Llewellina. This is how work began on this breed in our country. Subsequently, setters brought to Russia were mainly descendants of the Laverack line. As a result of further breeding in Moscow, outstanding English setters were obtained, and Russian hunters, who brought dogs for the purpose of using them for hunting, paid attention to both their working and field leisure, and exterior qualities. And the very first setter brought to Russia (1843 or 1844) belonged to Groce Khrapovitsky.

*Inbreeding (from the English in - “inside” and breeding - “breeding”) - crossing of closely related forms within the same population of organisms (animals or plants). The term is usually used in relation to animals, while the more common term for plants is "incucht".

Features of the English Setter breed. Applicability, maintenance and care

Laverack is distinguished by elegance, aristocracy and self-confidence. The unusual speckled color of the coat makes this breed noticeable, and all other qualities make it popular and in demand.

The English Setter is dexterous, hardy, obedient and smart - an excellent hunting dog (has an excellent sense of smell), a tireless explorer and an agile bloodhound. When hunting, setters use different stances, showing the owner where the prey is.
At the same time, it is ideal for a family. In the house the setter will accept
and obey all family members, but will remain especially devoted to one master. The English Setter is an excellent nanny. These dogs easily find a common language with children, and always remain “on the same wavelength” with them, happily keeping them company in any games. Laverack is favorable towards other pets. if there are animals at home smaller than him in size, most likely the dog will take “every last kitten” under his wing and will protect them. The setter will also be a good travel companion, even over long distances.

The setter is very active and easy to climb. loves to swim and is able to “rush” at a rapid gallop for hours. The setter is passionate and quickly gets carried away by playing, running, walking, and if he gets “unhinged,” it takes time for the dog to calm down. Therefore, setters vitally need daily exercise and long walks. Without them, the dog can get huge health problems, both physical and mental. Therefore, consider whether you can provide these conditions to the dog before getting yourself an English Setter.

Also, English Setter dog breed very poorly tolerated
loneliness and change of scenery. separation from the owner, coupled with a change of home, can even kill the dog. If you are constantly away from home for a long time, this dog is absolutely not suitable for you. Setters are sociable and affectionate, and love guests very much. At the same time, a setter can be trained to be a good watchman. It is only important to pay attention to this point during the training process.

The English Setter is highly trainable due to its natural
sharp mind and desire to please the owner. An important point is that during the training process you should not hit the dog, shout at it, or get very nervous. Especially during puppyhood, setters are very vulnerable. Training should be done gently, kindly, and can be of a playful nature, since setters are very delicate by nature, then no difficulties will arise, and you don’t need much patience at all. It must be taken into account that this dog, by nature and selection, has some stubbornness, which it needs for a fruitful hunt. The puppy is also prone to being distracted by something related to his hunting instincts.

If a dog lives on a country plot, be prepared for the fact that it will often “look for treasure”: dig the ground, dig holes. Besides running and socializing, this is another favorite activity of the setter.

Once the men gathered for a duck hunt. But they don't have a dog. We decided to rent an English Setter from a friend. We arrived and started shooting at the ducks. And what is typical is that when a duck fell into the water, the dog took off running and ran through the water with all its might, barely touching it with its paws, picked up the duck as it went and brought it to the hunters. The men hunted for glory. When they returned the dog, the owner asked: “And how do you like my setter?” - Very good dog! “Have you noticed anything strange about him?” - Yes, it’s awkward to even say... You see, he doesn’t know how to swim!

Caring for an English Setter won't cause much trouble. Despite the fact that the Laverack has quite long hair, it does not shed profusely, and the hair does not fly all over the house. The setter has virtually no specific odor. This dog requires occasional brushing and infrequent washing. You can purchase a special rubber glove at a pet store that is used to comb out the dog’s fur. If, after combing the setter, you wipe it with a damp terry towel a couple of times, with and against the grain, you don’t have to wash the dog at all.

Like other long-eared dogs, ear care is extremely important for the English Setter. Regular cleaning and inspection is required. If you do not take care of your ears, your dog runs the risk of getting wax accumulation in the ear canals and ear mites, and as a complication, otitis media. The first signs of otitis: the dog begins to shake its head, tilt it to the painful side and constantly scratch its ear, itching and pain appear. In such cases, contact your veterinarian immediately, since advanced forms of otitis media take a long time to treat and do not always lead to recovery.

You should also pay attention to caring for your English Setter's teeth. U
Cop puppies' first milk teeth appear at the end of the second - beginning of the third week. During this time, their gums are very sensitive and very susceptible to injury and infection. The first teeth are very fragile and sharper than the permanent ones, which appear after five months of a puppy's life. The distance between the teeth of a puppy is large, and further increases as the lower jaw grows. The long and thin roots of baby teeth gradually dissolve when permanent teeth begin to displace them from below. The root of a baby tooth is absorbed into the tissues of the jaw, and the enamel crown is easily removed from the gums when the puppy chews something.

If the permanent teeth cannot displace the milk teeth, they erupt next to them, resulting in a double row of teeth. To remove worn-out teeth in a timely manner, the puppy is given something hard to chew on: bones (only those that he cannot chew and swallow fragments), a carrot, an apple, so that all the baby teeth can become loose and fall out. Primary fangs are especially often retained in the gums, and if they are not removed in a timely manner, in the future you will have to resort to surgery with anesthesia. The reasons for the delay in the replacement of baby teeth are a deficiency of vitamins A and D and a lack of minerals entering the body as a result of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or malnutrition. The normal set of teeth for a pointer is 42. The strength of teeth and the time of their preservation are mainly determined by heredity, but it should be noted that dogs lose teeth at different age periods.

English Setter nutrition

These dogs have an excellent appetite; it is important to ensure that the setter does not overeat to avoid obesity. If you feed your dog natural products, then the diet must include sea fish, but not too fatty. You can give your dog an egg twice a week. You should also feed your setter porridge and vegetables, with the addition of a small amount of vegetable oil. Remember to take additional vitamins. Sudden changes in diet should be avoided, especially for a puppy, as they lead to various allergic reactions.
More detailed menu options should be selected based on the age, characteristics of keeping and lifestyle of the dog. Basic rules about the inadmissibility of sweets and sugar, bones, excessive fat, etc. in a dog’s diet. relevant for all dogs without exception.

English Setter Diseases

In general, setters are in excellent health, but some characteristic and hereditary diseases have been identified:

By the way, remember the Soviet heartbreaking movie “White Bim, Black Ear”? In the book on which this film is based, it is said that there was a dog there - a Scottish setter of the “wrong” color, and in the movie there was a dog of the English setter breed - Stiff (the actors on the set called him Styopka :-))
And also, two dogs of the English Setter breed live with Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev (some sources say that their nicknames are Jolie and Daniel).

Among hunting dogs there are many breeds, the representatives of which are distinguished by their elegant and refined beauty and aristocracy. The English Setter successfully combines an amazingly beautiful, sophisticated appearance and unsurpassed working qualities. It is not for nothing that these dogs have been popular among representatives of the privileged classes for several centuries, and are currently considered one of the best gun breeds in the world.

History of the breed

Dogs similar to modern English setters appeared in Britain several centuries ago, apparently at the end of the Middle Ages or at the beginning of the modern era. Roughly, it is generally accepted that the first of these dogs appeared in the 15th-16th centuries and almost immediately became the dogs of English aristocrats.

The first setters were not only good, but also a true decoration of banquet halls in castles and mansions of the nobility, where these dogs invariably took places either next to their owners or near the fireplace and, lying there, like marble statues, calmly and majestically looked at the noisy medieval feasts .

At present, we can only guess who the ancestors of the first of these gun dogs were. Apparently, they were descendants of large hounds brought from the East and European water spaniels, from which they later inherited the ability to successfully hunt small feathered game.

Before the advent of firearms in Europe, birds were hunted mainly using nets. It was for this kind of hunting that the ancestors of English setters were bred in the 11th-15th centuries.

The dog's task was to find a place where the game was hiding, after which, stopping close to it, make a stand, and, finally, lie down in the grass so that the hunter had the opportunity to throw a net on the bird. These dogs, which, like their hound ancestors, were quite large and powerful, were called setting dogs. They were not fast, they worked slowly, but efficiently: they always followed the trail correctly and, having led their owner to the hidden game, pointed at it using a special stand. However, setting dogs, despite the fact that they were hardy and reliable hunting dogs, had a number of disadvantages. In particular, they were not distinguished by their speed of movement and speed of work; moreover, as it turned out later, after guns appeared in the arsenal of English hunters, these dogs also experienced fear of shots.

British hunters needed to develop a new breed of dog., which, having inherited reliability, endurance and an excellent scent from the setting dogs, would be distinguished by agility, the ability to lift detected game onto the wing and would not be afraid of shots. To achieve this, attempts were made to crossbreed the original breed with greyhounds, retrievers, pointers and poodles. As a result of this selection work, fast and courageous gun dogs with lighter bones appeared, which, however, did not lose either endurance or excellent quality of work.

However, at that time, setters were still considered a single breed and there was no division of them according to color or other features of the exterior.

The appearance of modern-type English setters is associated with the name of Sir Edward Laverack, who, starting in 1825, was engaged in the targeted improvement of the existing stock of long-haired gundogs at that time and dreamed of breeding representatives of this breed in what he considered to be the ideal type.

The first exhibition at which English setters were presented, which were more often called Laveracs after their first breeder, took place in 1859. And two years later this breed was officially recognized.

English setters arrived in Russia in the 1870s and almost immediately became popular among Russian landowners involved in bird hunting. These dogs were also popular in the 1920s and 1930s, when setters were considered the most favorite breed among Russian hunters of that time.

The quality of the domestically bred English setter stock was quite high. For example, it was representatives of this breed that took all eight first places at the Moscow regional exhibition in 1958. It should be noted here that the English Setter was quite popular not only as a hunting dog, but also as a companion, which was not considered frivolous to keep in a city apartment simply as a pet.

By now, English setters are popular not only as working hunting dogs or just pets, but also as show beauties, often taking the first of all possible places at the most prestigious exhibitions in Russia and around the world.

Description of the English Setter

The English Setter, also called the Speckled Setter or Laverack, according to the FCI classification, belongs to the section of British and Irish pointers and setters, which in turn belongs to the group of pointing dogs.

Appearance, dimensions

This is an elegant, refined and graceful dog, characterized by speed, freedom and confidence in its movements. The English Setter cannot be called very large: it is an animal of medium height, with well-developed, but at the same time seemingly rather light muscles and a characteristic speckled color.

The height of a male is 65-68 cm at the withers, the height of a female is 61-65 cm. The weight of these dogs can range from 20 to 25 kg.

Despite its rather tall stature, the English Setter is distinguished by its fairly light frame and overall elegance of appearance.

Coat color

The following colors are acceptable:

Black and speckled.
Orange speckled.
Yellow speckled, also called lemon speckled.
Brown speckled.
Tricolor, in which specks and small spots of black and fawn or brown and fawn are scattered on a white background.

The presence of large spots of black, brown or any other acceptable color on a white background is undesirable.

The most preferable is the presence of small speckles, but individual spots can merge with each other without forming too large colored marks.

Breed standards

Currently, the breed standard published by the FCI in 2009 is considered valid. According to him, an English setter should have a stretch index from 107 to 110. The physique of this dog is strong, dry and rather squat. The bones and muscles are pronounced, but at the same time the dog looks quite light and graceful: even the slightest signs of coarseness or excessive massiveness are completely unacceptable.

The head is elongated, with a well-defined occipital protuberance and slightly protruding brow ridges. The stop is quite sharp, the muzzle is rectangular in shape, its length is approximately ½ of the total length of the head.

The muzzle should be neither too narrow nor excessively voluminous: in width it is only slightly narrower than the skull.

Drop ears, medium in length and rather soft, are set approximately in line with the eyes. Their coat is not short, but not particularly long either, but rather medium in length. If your ear is pulled forward, its tip should reach your nose.

The eyes are round, shallow-set. Their color can vary from coffee to dark brown, and the darker they are, the better.

The neck is long, dry and graceful, somewhat widening towards the withers. The back is quite muscular and moderately wide, the lower back is slightly convex. The chest is voluminous, the stomach is moderately tucked.

The tail is long, slightly curved, continuing the line of the back, covered with abundant decorative hair, forming a dewlap characteristic of this breed: the so-called “feather”.

The forelimbs are straight and parallel, the hind limbs are muscular and moderately long. In general, the dog looks quite high in front, which creates a silhouette typical of the English Setter, which owners of show animals often additionally emphasize with the help of special grooming.

The hairline is well developed. The coat is of varying lengths: short and smooth on the head, muzzle and front of the limbs, and quite long and thin on the body of the animal. Beautiful feathering and dewlap form on the ears, lower chest, back of the limbs and lower on the tail. The coat itself is straight, thick and silky, with a slight shine.

The movements are creeping, quite fast and light, while the dog looks proud and at the same time elegant.

Dog character

The English Setter has a remarkable personality that makes it an ideal pet. This dog has a balanced psyche, a calm, friendly and affectionate disposition.

These are obedient and very sensitive animals that adore communication with people and get along well with children of almost all ages. Perhaps only for a very young child should communication with a pet of this breed be limited. And this is not because an English setter can bite or scare a child, but on the contrary: a small child, unknowingly, can offend or hurt the dog.

He will always be able to get along with other pets, with the exception of small rodents and birds.

Important! On the street, you need to carefully monitor the setter, since these dogs, due to their innate hunting instinct, love to chase street cats, as well as crows or other birds.

The English Setter can be a good companion on trips to nature, especially if there is a river, lake or sea nearby. After all, these dogs simply love to swim and dive, and therefore will happily swim there with their owners.

Lifespan

Depending on the quality of maintenance and care, as well as other reasons directly or indirectly affecting, an English setter, on average, can live from 11 to 15 years.

Due to the fact that caring for the English Setter's coat is quite labor-intensive, keeping these dogs is not particularly easy. At the same time, they are completely unpretentious in everyday life, and therefore can live both in a private house and in an apartment.

Care and hygiene

The dog's coat should be cleaned daily using a special brush in the form of a mitten, after which experts recommend wiping the dog with a damp cloth for better shine and adherence of the coat. The English Setter is washed no more than twice a month.

Important! Setters, especially show ones, need periodic haircuts, which are recommended to be done by a professional groomer, since inept actions can easily ruin the structure and healthy appearance of the coat.

The ears of these dogs require especially careful care, as they completely cover the ear canal. Because of this, increased humidity forms inside it, often leading to inflammatory diseases of the ears and, above all, otitis media. The ears of setters need such close attention for another reason: plant seeds, as well as ticks and fleas, easily cling to them during walks. It is for this reason that the setter's ears need to be examined regularly after walking the dog or after returning from a hunt.

Setters' teeth usually do not need to be cleaned, since the dog cleans them while gnawing on cartilage or special toys purchased at a pet store.

If you walk the English Setter a lot on a hard surface, then its claws will wear down on their own. But if the nails have grown too long, they can be shortened using nail clippers for large dogs.

Diet, diet

English setters, in general, have a good appetite and are not picky in terms of feeding. They can eat ready-made food, selected according to their size, age and condition. For active, healthy dogs, including hunting dogs, industrial food for large active dogs is well suited. In this case, preference should be given to higher quality, albeit expensive brands. When buying, you need to remember that it is at least (ideally, super-premium or is recommended) and that it fully meets the animal’s nutritional needs.

Important! For setters who have health problems, such as allergies, special dietary or medicinal food should be selected.

If an English Setter eats homemade food, it should be complete and of high quality. You should not feed your pet food from your table, as it contains a large amount of salt and is also harmful to dogs.

Pet food should be prepared separately. The dog's diet should be based on animal protein products. At the same time, for adult setters it is better to take lean meat and meat products as the main product, and for puppies - cottage cheese. Approximately the same amount of porridge or seasonal vegetables should be added to the meat. Buckwheat and rice are suitable cereals for hunting dogs, but pearl barley, barley or whole oatmeal are not recommended. Once a week, meat can be replaced with lean sea fish, but you need to take more of it: approximately in a ratio of 1.5:1.

In order for the pet’s diet to be balanced, it is necessary to give the dog vitamin and mineral supplements to the food, it is especially important to do this during periods of intensive growth, pregnancy, nursing, after the animal’s illness and in the old age of the pet.

English Setter puppies should initially eat 5-6 times a day, by 3-4 months they are fed 5-4 times. By the age of six months, the setter already eats 4-3 times a day, and by the age of one year and at an older age - 2 times.

Diseases and breed defects

With proper maintenance and feeding, the English Setter, as a rule, has excellent health and almost never gets sick. However, dogs of this breed may be susceptible to some diseases, mainly of a hereditary nature:

(including food).
Congenital deafness.
Vision problems, including retinal atrophy.
Turn of the century.
Volvulus of the stomach or intestines.

Important! It should be remembered that dogs participating in hunting are more at risk of contracting infectious diseases than their relatives living in city apartments.

It is for this reason that it is necessary to strictly observe.

The most serious breed defects of English setters include:

Incorrect or inharmonious physique.
Excessively rough or too light head.
Non-standard color, for example, blue-mottled or black and white.
Coat type not specified by the standard, for example, wavy or too harsh.
Hock joint spacing.
Undershot or overshot.
Blue eyes or heterochromia.

Training and education

English Setters are generally docile and easy to train. But as puppies, they can be stubborn and disobedient. Therefore, from the first days a puppy of this breed appears in the house, it is necessary to achieve perfect obedience from the puppy.

Like any other breed of dog, the English Setter must be taught basic commands, such as “Come”, “Sit”, “Down”, “Place”, “No”, “Ugh”.

At the same time, it is necessary to train those setters who will later work on game. A dog participating in exhibitions must be taught from a very early age to correctly demonstrate its best qualities in the exterior rings.

Attention! The English Setter is not intended for the role of a guard dog: it is not typical for it to be aggressive towards people and therefore, you should not even try to train it for protective guard duty.

You should also remember that the English Setter is a dog created for hunting and that it cannot do without great physical activity, but such a pet should only be walked on a leash.