setters?

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buzzles

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I'm still on the search for another dog, originally I was hoping for a springer or cocker spaniel as the place is very quiet since my mad springer died last year. I'm hoping to rehome/rescue however there seems to be very few around, but have seen a setter puppy. How do these compare with spaniels in their temperment? It would get loads of exercise, attention and stimulation and hopefully will be young enough to be taught to get on with cats, hens, horses and sheep!

In regards to my last post about the cocker for rehoming, I eventually got through to him and he said that the dog had died that afternoon after it was run over by a tractor. He sounded really upset and was crying on the phone but honestly puppies and farm machinery just don't mix, my neighbour also ran over his collie pup in the tractor a few weeks ago. People can be so irresponsible (would put angry face here but havn't figured out the smilies on new forum yet!)
 
Not as intellegent as a spangle but if you are used to spaniels you would be the right kind of home for a setter. They are mad as a box of frogs and very high energy but lovely dogs. I would have no qualms in homing one, they are smashing dogs IMO.
 
Setters are great I have always had 1 red and 1 red and white setter .Mine get on well with all my other animals. I have horses cats and hens and my setters have never had any problem with them getting on with them.The dogs are very sensible with the horses and I have ridden out with the dogs and had no problems.
They are lovely friendly dogs who love everyone and none of mine have ever been 'mad' with the right amount of excercise they are great dogs to own.
I took one of mine regularly into a stroke unit where he was a great hit with the patients really good therapy!
 
Thanks, that's really nice to hear as they do seem to have a reputation as being a bit loopy, but then my springer was as mad as a hatter! As long as they would be trainable and get along with the other animals, that was my main concern.
 
buzzles said:
Thanks, that's really nice to hear as they do seem to have a reputation as being a bit loopy, but then my springer was as mad as a hatter! As long as they would be trainable and get along with the other animals, that was my main concern.
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So do alot of breeds, springers are deffo near the top of the loopy list as well! :p :D As I said if you lived happily with your springer you will have no issues with a setter energy wise or anything. Just aware in comparison to a springer they may be slightly denser to train. Although they don't have the level of hunting instinct of a spaniel so recall etc should effectively be easier. If you are looking for an energetic lively member of the family thats a bit of a clown etc then IMO a setter is an equally good choice as a springer. :)
 
Nothing is as good as a Spinger, wash your mouth our Vizslak!! :p

Sorry, no help Buzzles, I just saw your location so have no idea about Springer Rescue over there and my only experiances of setters is a daft but sweet Irish Setter and a very hairy Gordon Setter that must have taken days to groom! But good luck with your search. :D
 
there is a 4 year old setter on Many Tears that needs a home. I was going to meet him but they wanted someone to meet him then rehome 3 days later.

I also wanted a dog that was used to being on it's own.....although that doesn't seem to have made a blind bit of difference to my basset sounding cocker!
 
My Aunt has always had setters - the English Setters were the least scatty of the lot, but the Gordon Setter was a real handful, always taking himself off for walks, no exercise was ever enough for him!

She loved them, and they got on really well with her horses, cats etc, but they did have a habit of disappearing after deer in the woods.

If you are used to energetic spaniels I am sure you would enjoy a setter. :)
 
Sounds like they'd fit right in with my lively bunch of clowns!
kirstyhen- unfortunately there isn't a springer rescue over here and none of the rescue centres have any young male spaniels atm (well one of them had a few but wouldn't rehome to me because the dog will sleep outside when he's older)

Another ques, how are they after a scent? My old springer was great at patrolling around our fields and would make the rounds a few times a day to ensure there were no rabbits or foxes around. Since she's gone we've had a problem with a fox taking our hens, even came right into the yard in front of us to snatch one! The other dogs just don't have the instinct to go off scenting, so would like a dog that would deter a fox. The setter would be red/english mix and both parents are working gundogs.
 
Our Irish Setter was fab!!:cool::):) Not a loon at all and possibly the most intelligent dog we have ever had (mind you the rest are spangles or labs so not much of a comparison!!:rolleyes:) she loved to run and regularly caught squirrels and bought them back to you as a present (never hurt them would just dump them at your feet - cue hysteria from surrounding labs and spangles at being so close to a squirrel!;):D) she came close to catching hares a few times but never quite managed it. She was great in the house and with people, children and other animals - well cats were fair game!:eek: - she was also a fab guard dog and spent hours patrolling the garden fence for misguided cats, squirrels and anything else that thought it was brave enough!!:D:D

If you can 'do' spangles you can definitely 'do' setters!!:D
 
A friend of mine breeds and shows Setters (english and Irish) They are gorgeous dogs but not as trainable as spangles or collies. However I know of several Irish who do Agility successfully.
I have always found them to be really friendly, and with a bit of independence! They are also very good at opening dors and stealing food!!
(just like most dogs really)lol.
 
Erm, you know Cayla has a spangle up for rehoming don't you? Behold - the vision that is Pancake face! Judging from her last post, she gets on great with others. lol :)
 
I know Pancake is so cute, don't think Cayla would send her all the way to Ireland though! Anyway have just heard of a male springer puppy looking to be rehomed and quite local aswell so am going to see him tomorrow, I may well get my springer spangle after all!!
 
Goya said:
A friend of mine breeds and shows Setters (english and Irish) They are gorgeous dogs but not as trainable as spangles or collies. However I know of several Irish who do Agility successfully.
I have always found them to be really friendly, and with a bit of independence! They are also very good at opening dors and stealing food!!
(just like most dogs really)lol.
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What she said!

Not easy to train though and some like the sound of their own voice.

The opening doors and stealing food is in their genes! Plus they can open cookers, fridges and kitchen cupboards. Invest in lots of masking tape! LOL!

They are lovely dogs (we had irish setters (red setters)) but you need lots of energy and patience.
 
I used to look after two Irish Setters when the owner was on holiday and they were fantastic dogs, very loving, gentle and good off the lead. I didn't find them particularly 'mad' but they were exercised for 1-2 hrs per day. I would def consider one of my own in the future.
 
I have experience with two setters. I walked an English Setter for my neighbour when I was about ten (oh, how times have changed) and he was the mellowest, sweetest thing. His main passion was eating cheese 'n' onion crisps and occasionally jumping through the hula hoop I shoved in front of his nose.

The other Setter I know is a Llewellin Setter and probably the most energetic dog I've ever encountered. It mostly likes to run laps at the dog park and stalk birds in slow motion. It should probably be in a working home, but the lady who rescued the dog is its fourth owner and she is the only person who has shown patience for and taken steps to overcome its OCD tendencies. The dog will actually seek affection from people now, whereas a year ago all it did was point and stalk.
 
buzzles said:
People can be so irresponsible (would put angry face here but haven't figured out the smilies on new forum yet!)
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:)
 
we had a setter and she was fantastic. She was mad as a hatter and very energetic. She never ran off tho, and was good on the lead. She loved people. They are great dogs, just needs loads of exercise.
 
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