English Setters - where have they all gone?

[Hexx]

I have been looking for an English Setter puppy for months now, but am having absolutely no luck in finding one.

Where on earth has this breed gone? I think I have only see one or two in the last couple of years. They very rarely come up in Rescue - the last one I saw was in a rescue that imports dogs from Ireland.

Can anyone recommend a breeder?

 

[Vizslak]

where are you based? We were only saying the other day they are a dying breed in the pet stakes due to not being the easiest dogs out there. I think its a shame as I love them. I know and see a fair few showing and know a good breeder based in somerset. I dont think I have ever seen a litter just advertised somewhere....lucky old english setters, no bumtree and preloved for them! Your best bet is to ring round reputable breeders....this would be my first port of call anyway.

 

[s4sugar]

http://www.englishsetterassociation.co.uk/puppy.html

 

[CorvusCorax]

Ring a breed society for recommendations of a reputable breeders as suggested and get yourself on a waiting list, this is where people went before free/ad websites

 

[PucciNPoni]

The only English Setters I ever seem to see are those that were bred by my grooming mentor (Agnes Murphy, Silvora). However after many years of having my shop, we've had two come in over a two week period! First two we've seen in the shop. But alas, they were older dogs and not in the best of health or coat - a shame cos they're beautiful. We'll see the odd Gordon or Irish though. Setters generally are really in decline in popularity - but then we're more city based.

 

[Hexx]

Thanks for the suggestions - none of the registered breeders seem to be having litters at the moment, but i will get my name down with them.

i think they are a smashing dog. My friend had 6 (!). My favourite was JoJo, who had had an altercation with a JRT and lost an eye. He used to meet me at the gate, then take my hand in his mouth and guide me up the drive and into the kitchen, then place me right next to the cupboard that had the biscuits in . He was such a character.

 

[maxie]

I have one, although I am in Ireland so maybe they have all relocated over the seas?

I got Smokey in October last year and wow has he grown since. He's a total dude- very work oriented, not people oriented at all, unlike my Red (Irish) Setter.
Smokey will come over to people for maximum ONE pat or rub and then he's off to the nearest ditch/ hedge/scrub area to seek out pheasants, birds, mice etc etc.
I had read that English Setters could be nusiance barkers but I have not had any issues with barking at all. Of the two setters (Red/Irish and English/Llwellyn), the English is more alert to strangers and does guard-bark if soemone new comes in, whereas the Red won't open his mouth, just runs over for a rub.

Some (gratuitous- sp?) pics :
As a puppy:

 

[Honey08]

Aww. Lovely pictures.

When I worked in Italy there were loads of them out there too!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/english-setter/breeders

A list of breeders from Champdogs website, a reliable source, I think. You could contact them, I guesss. There are currently no litters available from any of the 30 breeders listed!

 

[CorvusCorax]

No offence CT with reference to my own breed on Champdogs, there are some howlers on there too sometimes, it can be as unreliable as it can be reliable, but of course you can x-check with the breed society if there is anything you like the look of.
(And who did a double take at 'ShELINdair'? )

 

[Cinnamontoast]

For sure, there are some frankly awful dogs on there, not dogs I'd want for a stud, but there are health tested dogs and therefore a place to start.