Dog Breeds: Setter Information
Dog Breeds: Setter: The English and Irish Setters are both affectionate and sweet to a fault and for this reason do not do well as guard dogs. These intelligent animals develop deep and close relationships with their masters.
Both breeds of Setters are exceptionally beautiful and this along with their photogenic personalities has made them worldwide favorite choices as companion pets. The English Setter and the Irish Setter are both breeds raised especially as hunting dogs. Even if they haven't been specifically trained as hunters they still have an instinctive and uncanny ability to track and locate prey. Born to hunt the Setter needs to have plenty of fresh air and vigorous exercise. They love water and swimming.
Questions and Answers:
Q: My veterinarian has told me my English setter has an ear infection and that he needs to get an operation. Is this absolutely necessary?
A: English setters naturally have very long and heavy ears that hang onto their cheeks. The weight of their ears doesn't always allow fresh air to go into the dog's ears, and they tend to accumulate a lot of wax. This problem can sometimes turn into a serious thing and operating is necessary in order to clean out the ear canal to allow oxygen to go through and to drain the excessive amount of wax that has accumulated.
Unique Needs: This breed needs its coat brushed regularly and as it loves running through the brush you must take care that it doesn't end up with parasites or injuries. The head, neck and paws need to be trimmed every once in a while.
Temperament: With an inborn love of wide open spaces this "hunter" dog is full of energy and this means that it requires a master that has complete "command" over it, otherwise the over energetic Setter can become uncontrollable.
Genetic Defects: Hip dysphasia is a hereditary malformation of one or both articulations of the hip that often times not detected until the animal is a teenager, or an adult. The symptoms of this disease cause the dog to have difficulty when getting up after having slept causing him to hop and limp.
Average Height:
- Males:56 to 62 centimeters
- Females:53 to 58 centimeters
