Setter: breeds, colors and content

Setters are a popular breed of hunting dogs from the UK. These dogs differ from their kin with a muscular and slim body, long hair, and well-developed hunting qualities. This article will discuss the varieties and colors of setter dogs, as well as the characteristics of their content.

The story tells that the very first setters appeared in England in the XV-XVI centuries. The first official mention of the setters was found in the 1576 Dogs of Britain. It was written by an English doctor, John Kaus, who already in his mature years was actively involved in researching the issue of dog populations in Britain.

Ancestors of the setters are considered Spanish long-haired copsthat became pioneers of many other hunting dogs. With the spread and development of hunting in England, there was an acute need to create dogs with exclusively hunting skills and excellent physique.

The process of creating a breed has undergone multiple breeding experiments. If the genetic material of Spaniels was taken as a basis, then over the years, greyhounds, hounds, collie, even poodles and retrievers rushed to it to improve certain qualities. Experiments on the removal of larger cops led to an almost complete change in the size of the dog. The new individuals were completely different from the standard spaniels, so it was decided to give them their name - the setters.

The first individuals of the setters were used exclusively for hunting game birds. A feature of such dogs was their manner of lying on the ground when detecting prey nearby, this technique was actively used for popular hunting at that time with the help of captive nets. At the same time, these dogs began to be actively used in classic gun hunting and shooting at flying and waterfowl. It is believed that the first individuals of this breed were created as a replacement for the greyhounds and trapping birds.

Over time, the breeders managed to achieve the perfect result - the setters have become incredibly fast, quick-witted and sensitive dogs. They were able to track down the game at a distance of several kilometers and indicate the direction of the hunter with the help of a special hunting rack, which was finally formed only by the beginning of the XIX century.

Since the beginning of the 16th century, the number of attempts at breeding setters has increased to create varieties of setters that are more adapted to specific hunting conditions. This, as well as the active distribution of setters throughout Europe, has led to the creation of several varieties of this breed of dogs. Species have evolved not so much on the basis of differences in appearance, but rather because of the emergence of new ways of hunting and competition between breeders.

The development of setters can be observed in the breed exhibitions in the 60s of the XIX century (the first was held in Birmengem). If at the first exhibitions setters of exclusively English breed were presented, then in a year and a half (approximately by 1861-1862) 3 sets of setters took part in the exhibitions: English (or Laverak), Irish, Scottish (or Gordon).

The breed of dogs is a setter represented by several varieties that have some differences in standard, temperament and hunting skills. Below is a description of the main characteristics of the species setters in the form of a comparative table.

Approximately the same features of character are peculiar to all varieties of setters.

In relation to their family and owner, the setters always remain cheerful, sociable and good-natured. They will not follow you on their heels, but with interest they will begin to monitor your work, they will agree to any games and fun, they will unconditionally obey commands and errands with proper education.

At the sight of strangers or guests, they will be interested and will show signs of sympathy rather than alertness. The trust of these dogs is very easy to win - they adore affection, goodies and attention.

Experienced breeders are advised not to leave these pets alone with young children. Setters are playful and love all sorts of games, but to constant molestation and teasers are very negative. Setters get along well with children over 8 years old.

If the owner does not determine in time who is in charge of their relationship, it is likely that in the future he will face the problem of establishing his authority. Incorrectly educated setters grow amazingly capricious, angry and unbalanced.

Setters do not like to share the owner and their family members with other pets. They want all attention to always be directed to them. Large size, speed, and remarkable strength give them a sense of impunity in belittling other pets.

Lifespan setters varies slightly depending on their variety.

• English Lewellin's Setters or Setters on average live from 11 to 15 years;
• Irish red setters live from 12 to 15 years, red and white - from 10 to 13 years;
• Scottish Setters on average do not live longer than 12 years.

Do not forget that these are only general statistics - proper care, care and proper nutrition can increase the life of your pet by several years.

As mentioned above, today there are several official varieties of setters. To more accurately reflect their differences from each other, you should refer to the history of their occurrence.

Modern English setters are descended from the crossing of many hunting breeds of European dogs. The first individuals of this breed were created in the 16th century in France by crossing the Pointers of the Spanish and French breed. From the 17th to the 18th centuries, there was a real technological boom that affected the functionality of hunting rifles.

The unofficial pioneer of the English breed of setters is Edward Laverak, who in 1825 began active work on breeding a certain type of hunting dog. It is through the activities of Laveraka English setter and was given his unofficial second name. The breeder's selection studies lasted for about 35 years, during which the first rough standard of modern English setters was created with the help of hard selection.

These dogs were extremely fast, intelligent and hardy, they also perfectly focused on the terrain, were obedient and not aggressive to other dogs. In addition to the activities of Laveraka himself, his assistant P. Lewellin, who in the future became his competitor, took an active part in creating these setters. Later, the individuals bred by his assistant acquired their name - Lewellin's Setters.

The genetic material of the English Setters was the basis for the creation of other varieties of this breed of dogs. Numerous experiments on the exterior and color of these dogs led to the appearance of mestizo. - individuals with a non-standard color, a disproportionate physique, short limbs and a muzzle.

Especially pitifully, these experiments affected the individuals of the setters, who first entered the territory of Russia. Due to the lack of experience in breeding hunting dogs, Russian breeders actively crossed setters with local breeds. The original idea was to create a stronger, more durable and undemanding to the Russian climate setter, but these attempts ended in failure due to an insufficient amount of genetic material and pedigree specimens. All dogs received in this way are today called the “Russian” variety of setters.

By the beginning of the XVIII century, the setters existed only as a generalized breed with many colors, variations in size and exterior, but this did not prevent them from getting fond of breeders on all the British Isles. Many of them have decided to standardize these breeds - to fit under one whole to preserve the breed qualities.

Since childhood, the Duke passionately engaged in hunting, and also owned a whole nursery of the Scottish Dirhaunds. Soon he set a goal to create a separate breed of black and tan type setters, but with the preservation of all the hunting qualities. There is reason to believe that in order to create individuals with this color, the duke crossed the setters with the individuals of the dirhaunds. The result of these experiments was the complete elimination of white color from the color of the setters, as well as the creation of a separate nursery for the Scottish setters.

Thanks to the activities of this breeder, a new breed of setters has been able to gain wide acceptance throughout Britain. Very soon, the breed was named after the duke - Gordon Castle Setter, but the prefix "Castle" in the name disappeared over time, making this breed of dogs began to be called simply Gordon-setters.

The first individual Gordon Setter was in America only in 1842 and it was brought directly from the Duke of Gordon’s nursery.It is noteworthy that Scottish setters became one of the first breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884. That is why these dogs are sometimes called "American Setters."

Irish setters appeared much later than other varieties of this breed. It is believed that these dogs are descended from black and white English setters, to which blood was later added to other European hunting dogs: Gordon setter, Bloodhound, Irish water spaniels. The result of this selection was the creation of Irish setters with a red color, but the experiments on the appearance of the dogs did not end there.

It should be noted that at that time there was a tacit rivalry between Irish breeders and hunters. Each of them sought to create a more original color from his Irish setter, which led to the appearance of several breed lines at once. The most common colors were red (with a dark face) and red and white.

Regardless of color, Irish setters were presented with a certain list of requirements for inclusion in the standard: hard work, lack of fear of water and noise, harmonious small sizes, robust and muscular body, developed senses (especially hearing and scent), thick hair and undercoat.

This led to the fact that at one of the breed exhibitions in 1859, as many as 60 individuals of this breed were represented. Such a rush led to numerous disputes - the breeders could not decide which dog would represent the standard. The result of these disputes were only breeding records about the existence and breeding of individuals of this breed, which also was of great importance.

A little later (in 1877) the Irish Red Setters got into the territory of America, where they created a real sensation. However, with the popularity of this breed, the danger of the disappearance of its working qualities appeared - many American breeders preferred exactly the features of the exterior, but not the hunting skills. In fact, this led to the emergence of two separate types of dogs: working and show class.

Before you buy a puppy setter of any species, you should familiarize yourself with the standard of a particular breed. At about three months of age, the setter puppies are fully formed, allowing you to evaluate their external data and not stumble upon the pitfalls in the future.

If you get a puppy setter for hunting activity, then Be sure to check out all the diplomas and awards of his parents for working qualities.. It will be useful to find out the exterior grades of parents in the ring. In addition, parents' veterinary passports should be examined to find out if your pet can be sick and predisposed.

Be sure to pay attention to the condition of the room in which there was a pregnant bitch, as well as places where the puppies themselves were kept. Find out what food was given to the bitch and puppies after their birth. So you will be convinced of the usefulness of puppies nutrition, in addition, it will be easier for you to adjust the diet to the needs of the pet. Make sure you have vitamin supplements in the diet of the young setter.

The selected puppy should behave actively, cheerful and confident. You should not give preference to individuals who sit far in the corner and do not touch the food. Carefully follow the movements of the puppy, they should be free and active.

Inspect the condition of the pet's coat, it should be dry at the genitals and anus, without bald spots and bedsores. Take a look at the skin condition - a puppy should not have wounds, redness, itching. The presence of fleas and lice is another point in the pet owner oversight. Excess weight or, on the contrary, protruding bones is another alarming signal to think about whether to buy a puppy.

Before you buy, find out the number of puppies in the litter, and also specify how many of them were discarded. It will also be useful to ask for photos of puppies from the past litter.

Ensure the integrity of the package of documents when buying a puppy. There must be a veterinary passport, metric and pedigree.

Be sure to pay attention to how the puppy vendor or kennel representative behaves with puppies and a bitch. You should not take puppies from a person who behaves aggressively and consumerly in relation to dogs - this has certainly caused irreparable harm to the character of the kids.

Fortunately, setters are not particularly picky dogs when it comes to content. They have a very warm woolen coat, which allows them to be kept on the site or private house without any particular difficulties. If in the walls of a small apartment, these dogs may feel constrained, the street fully reveals their potential activity. The ideal option for these dogs would be a fenced area with a large fence for games and entertainment.

These dogs are not recommended to keep in small apartments. The body of the setters is constantly in need of training and stress, without which these pets become passive and inactive. On the streets, a setter is able to deliver a lot of trouble to his master. - with the slightest smell of street birds and animals, these dogs literally lose their heads and do not obey any commands. Experienced breeders believe that these dogs need not so much saturated as long walking for 1 hour or more.

Setters are incredibly social dogs. Despite their external independence, they adore being close to the owner and are very bored in his absence. Try to spend more time on ordinary conversations with your dog - setters appreciate when they communicate with him on an equal footing.

Proper feeding is not only a guarantee of good health and immunity, but also a cheerful mood in a dog. Setters are not picky about nutrition; they can calmly digest both ready-made feeds (not necessarily of the highest class) and natural products. The main condition for feeding setters is a balanced and vitamin-rich diet.

Meat, namely beef, chicken and turkey, should always be the basis of the nutrition of setters. The main condition here - a small amount of fat in it. By-products, raw sea fish and some types of sausages are excellent as a substitute. Natural food can be served in both raw and boiled form, but in no case in the form of mashed potatoes. Meat and fish should be cut into small pieces to form a proper bite.

An important element of food setters is the presence of dairy and dairy products in the menu. These include cheeses, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt. In this case, you should consider the most low-fat foods with a small amount of sugar.

As a supplement to the main dish, vegetables must be present in the nutrition of the setters. They provide the body with the necessary vitamins, do not load the stomach and give the pet energy for the whole day ahead. Vegetables here will look good carrots, peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers and beets. Fresh greens will also be a good addition to any dish, such as parsley, dill or lettuce.

In the diet of any dog ​​must always be natural porridge on the water: buckwheat, rice, oatmeal. At the disposal of the setters should always be a full bowl of clean and fresh water.

It is forbidden to give setters products that are harmful to any dog. This is any human food (smoked, salty, spicy), any sweets and bakery products.

Setters have strong and powerful immunity, as well as thick hair with a dense undercoat, which allows them to easily transfer drafts, low temperatures and even moisture.

At least 1 time per week should be carried out to clean their ears (which in these dogs become soiled very quickly), washing the eyes and brushing the teeth. You should not wash these dogs with shampoos, their wool practically does not trap moisture, which means that an ordinary light shower will be enough after an intensive walk. Do not forget to follow the claws of your pet, in the absence of physical exertion and walks, they can cause significant damage to his paws, so you need to cut them periodically.

Show breeds of setters need only a slight adjustment of the coat to give a well-groomed appearance. If we are talking about keeping dogs at home, it is permissible to have a haircut at the genitals, as well as on the chest.

Wool is the only factor that makes many breeders unwilling to see these dogs in their homes. Despite the fact that these dogs shed only a couple of times a year, after them all over the apartment there is always a huge amount of wool. You can fight this only in one way - through regular combing with the help of soft combs with frequent teeth or by trimming.

Do not forget about regular vaccinations and preventive visits to the vet. This will save the dog from viruses and probable diseases.

A keen and penetrating mind, as well as hunting skills, make these dogs ideal for professional training and training. The main task of the host in the education of setters is to achieve respect and obedience, not only during training, but also in everyday life. These dogs need a firm hand that can control them, even if the dog is in an excited state. To install such authority, it is advised to resort to the following actions:

• pet should start eating only after you;
• teach the setter not to move away from you for a long distance on walks;
• you are the first to enter the room first, then the pet.

If once you have allowed the setter to do something forbidden, in the future it will no longer pay any attention to your inhibitions regarding this action.

Do not resort to any form of violence, express discontent only through intonation or gestures. When performing tricks, do not forget to encourage your pet - he will have an incentive to improve his skills.

All classes with a setter should be conducted by one person. In a society of several trainers, setters may become confused and will carry out orders of the most loyal and affectionate towards them. In the role of such "good coaches" are often children who are not able to properly express their superiority over the pet. Dogs in families where children participate in training often grow moody, restless and disobedient.

For more information on the dog breed setter, see the following video.