Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs English setters - good family dog?

I own two, a 6 year old male, and a 2 year old female. Both are out of cover dog lines. Both are very affectionate, and have been great with my children and others. My male did not settle down in the house until 3 years of age. They are now calm in the house, but still intense hunters. They both shed quite a bit. Like any dog, the specific parents are more important than the breed. I have heard of problems in a couple of dogs. Of course, any dog can bite given the wrong circumstances.

There used to be a show with a setter called "Hunting with Hank" with Des ????? Anyway as Des always said at the end of the show (as Hank laid on the bed) "Never, ever spoil your birdog"


Now you know where my net name here came from!!

They can be excellent family dogs. Why not adopt one. There are a lot of ones that are turned away by field trialers and such that would make great pets and hunters.

http://www.englishsetterrescue.org/

http://esrescue.org/

I've had 3. As stated earlier, they will range. You will not be able to just open the door and let them run about or you will not see them for days if ever. Mine come out of tomoka/rising sun as well. They will hunt hard and are the most beautiful bird dog to watch work in all the world. The last couple I had had health issues. Lost one at less than 4 with kidney failure. The current one is 8 and has an auto immune disease. All have been great house dogs, but will run for hours nonstop in the fenced yard.

The old girl can hardly move anymore,but still loves to hunt. Here she is finding a dead bird.

https://youtu.be/b57Z5Ip4F1E



14 year old Grace best bird dog I ever had.


14 month old Willow and 14 year old Grace doing their thing


Lost Willow way too young less than 4.






Puppy Maggie enjoying the fire.

10 week old Maggie on point


Maggie goes everywhere with me except work


Hunting hard on a sub zero day.