The English setter, or laverac, belongs to the hunting breeds, but due to its fervent disposition, elegance and obedience, it is often contained as a pet. Bred in England, this breed has become popular throughout the world. Today it is widely known in Russia.
Breed description
Signs by which the English setter can be recognized from afar are a muscular body covered with long silky hair, hanging ears and a smart look. The height of the dog is from 53 to 64 cm at the withers, weight - up to 30 kg. The build is lean, squat. On a slightly elongated head there is a pronounced occipital protuberance. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smooth, although clearly outlined. The saber tail, covered with wavy hair, as if continues the line of the back. The free, energetic movements of the dog resemble feline in their grace.
The coat is thick enough, shiny, short on the head and on the back. The back of the legs, ears, belly and tail have long beautifying hair. The color is usually two colors. The main one is white, interspersed with red, brown or black spots. Less common is the three-color English setter - white with black speckles and an orange tan on the ears, muzzle, and legs.
Breed history
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, point dogs representing various breeds were bred throughout England. The appearance of the English setter is a merit of E. Laverac, who for 35 years purposefully engaged in breeding to breed this breed through closely related crosses. A fierce selection was made according to the hunting qualities and the exterior, which led to the creation of the setter, which exists to this day and has a second name - Laverac. The first exhibition of this breed was held in 1859, it is this year that is considered the date of its birth.
In Russia, the English setter breed appeared in 1880, when the first producer was introduced. Moscow cynological centers were breeding dogs brought from England and France. They were mainly used for the purpose of hunting, but during the selection of exterior qualities no less attention was paid than hunting. The best results for improving the breed were obtained at the end of the last century.
Character
The English setter is distinguished by affection, a good disposition and a balanced psyche. These dogs are very sociable, able to find a common language with any pets that will be nearby.
They quickly adapt in unfamiliar surroundings and are able to contact with children, getting along well in a large family. Setter is suitable as a pet due to his benevolent disposition. In addition, he adapts well to the conditions of a city apartment, without requiring long walks.
The mind, which the dog is not deprived of by nature, was highly appreciated by hunters. The setter is easy to train and learn, which allows you to use his abilities in hunting for game birds. Quite vast spaces he is able to explore in search of prey. Smelling it, this born hunter makes a stand, pointing to the owner of the prey, and scares the bird on command.
Conditions of detention
An indispensable condition for the maintenance of the English setter are daily physical activity. This dog is very mobile, loves active games, walks, and is capable of galloping for hours. Without such loads, the appearance of various health problems, including mental, is not excluded. Therefore, when deciding to get a dog of this breed, you should consider the possibility of providing it with the necessary conditions.
If the owner is not at home for a long time, do not start a setter so as not to doom him to loneliness, which he suffers very hard.
Training
The extraordinary mind possessed by the English setter, combined with the desire to please the owner greatly facilitate the process of dog training. The most important thing to observe in this case is the use of the reward method in the absence of harsh penalties. You can not shout at the animal, get nervous and even more so beat it. These dogs are highly vulnerable, especially in puppyhood. A friendly attitude in the process of training and a playful character will quickly yield positive results. The factor that distracts the puppy from classes can only be what is associated with his hunting instinct. It is necessary to take into account at the time of training some stubbornness inherent in this breed, which the dog also needs for fruitful hunting.
Care
The hair of the English setter, although long, does not require special care. It practically does not have a specific smell, therefore it does not need frequent washing. It is enough to regularly comb the dog’s coat with a special rubber glove, and then wipe it thoroughly with a damp towel.
Ear care consists in periodically cleaning them, which is common to all long-eared dogs. This is done in order to exclude the accumulation of sulfur, the appearance of ticks that contribute to the development of otitis media. At the first signs of this disease, you should immediately consult your veterinarian.
Teeth require special attention. In the fifth month of life, puppies of the English setter acquire permanent teeth, gradually replacing milk teeth, which are easily removed from the gums when the puppy nibbles something solid. Therefore, he should often give bones, carrots or apples.
It happens that milk fangs linger in the gums, and this may require surgical intervention. Such a delay can be caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals or by any diseases of the digestive system.
Food
The food of the English setter is not much different from the general principles of feeding any other dogs. You should avoid sweets, fatty foods, and bones in your diet. The menu is selected depending on the age and lifestyle that the dog leads. The English setter has a very mobile disposition, and therefore his appetite is excellent. It is important not to overfeed it in order to prevent obesity. Be sure to include marine fish and vegetables in the diet. The main food is porridge, in which some vegetable oil is added. Do not forget about additional vitamins, especially for a puppy. Properly balanced nutrition enhances resistance to disease and promotes harmonious development.
Recently, ready-made feeds have been very popular, from which you can choose the most suitable and corresponding to the physiological characteristics of the dog. Such food can provide it with all the necessary nutrients. In addition, it is very convenient to always have at hand a product ready for use. It is only necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of the manufacturer.
Diseases
The setter breed has a very strong immunity, these dogs are rarely exposed to any disease. Sometimes pelvic joint dysplasia, retinal atrophy, otitis media, food and skin allergies are found.
Like many dogs, the English setter is not immune to parasites (fleas, lice, ticks). They are easily eliminated with the help of modern hygiene products, which are offered in large quantities by the veterinary industry. But, in addition to external parasites, there are also internal ones that can threaten the health of the dog. Therefore, puppies should be fluttered in a timely manner, this must be done before the first vaccination, which is carried out at the age of two months. A regular visit to the veterinarian will help to avoid future health problems.
Given the enormous hunting passion possessed by the English setter, in Russia the breed is mainly bred by hunters for work. But often these dogs are in demand among ordinary people who want to buy them as pets. The cost consists of many qualities that the setter has, the price for a puppy varies from 10 to 40 thousand rubles.