Puppy people

[Pooh's Pixie]

I am still in the midst of researching a dog breed for our family. We have 3 kids, ages 7, 5, 3. We are seriously considering an English Setter. Any pros, cons? Thanks

 

[almacdonald]

Setters are very nice dogs for a dog show. As a family pet though, why not consider adopting a dog from the Humane Society? Mixed breed dogs generally have fewer health problems AND you'd be rescuing an animal that might otherwise be put down. I can't fathom myself paying thousands of dollars for a pure-bred dog when there are plenty of loving pets waiting to find a forever home for a fraction of the cost (as a bonus, adoption fees at most humane societies include spaying/neutering!) That's my 2 cents anyway!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I 2nd the idea of adopting. A great site to search is www.Petfinders.org

On the Petfinders site, you'll be able to choose the right dog for you based on age, breed, size, etc. We've used this site before and did not regret it for one second!

 

[D&R love Disney]

Growing up, my best friend had a setter and it wasn't good with younger children. They are very high strung dogs.

Just last week I got a new lab puppy and they are fantastic family dogs but puppyhood is tough. Golden Retrievers also make great family dogs.

 

[Jennifer S]

I'm all for recuing dogs but with kids you have to be careful. Make sure you know the background of the dog. If they don't know it then I'd pass.

We have a mixed breed - poodle and golden retriever - see her in my sig? She is the best dog me or DH has ever had. Wonderful with kids.

Don't know anything about setters.

 

[hiwaygal]

Can't really tell you any specifics on English Setters (except that they are beautiful!)...

But just wondering, have you done some of the "breed selectors" that you can find at several different websites? Many of them take into account your lifestyle, schedule, size of yard, etc. to suggest several possible breeds...just a thought...

p.s. I also am involved in rescue...and if your heart is set on a pure-bred, there are breed specific rescue groups that might have a dog for you!

 

[Crankyshank]

It's not necessarily true that mixed breeds are cheaper than pure breds. The cost of adopting from local shelters is about $50 - $100 more than I paid for my beagles.
Adopting a dog from a shelter is a wonderful thing, but one needs to do what is best for them and their family and sometimes that means getting a dog from a breeder. The OP is looking for information about a breed. We don't know if she's looking into breed rescue, a breeder, an animal shelter, or even perish the thought- a pet store.

To answer the OP's question, the 3 English setters I have had experience with weren't good with young children because they were very excitable. They also needed a lot of exercise.

There's a breed selection guide that might help you make a decision and also gives you more breed info here
http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/selector/selector.jsp

 

[kilee]

I am all for adopting a rescue dog too. HOWEVER, some people do want the puppy expirence (which is incredible when you are truly ready for it), and if your shelters are like our shelters, there are never any puppies. As for an adult dog. We've adopted 2- that were "nice" dogs when I was a teen. (at 2 different times). I know this is a fluke- but both bit within 6 weeks of bringing them home. The one bit my then 2 year old in the arm- completely unprovoked. My son was playing w/ his toys 15 feet from the dog. So, w/ toddlers (the op has a 3 yr old) I'd be extremely leary of an unkown adult dog. I think they belong more w/ older children and adults.

As for an English Setter- I have an aunt who has 2. They are both 9 yrs old and still pretty intense. On the flip side- many little dogs aren't the best around children either. If you are looking for a mid sized dog (40 pounds ish)-- I'd consider possible a spaniel. I did recently read in my dog magazine that one of the best breeds besided labs to have for a pet is a boxer. This really suprised me because I wouldn't of thought it. They are supposedly excellent w/ adults and kids.

You're going to get the good and the bad w/ any type of breed though. Because you'll always find someone who's had a good and bad exp. w/ each breed. I think it's great you're researching it.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Interesting info. Thanks everyone. FYI, we do want a puppy so that we know what we're getting into and we will socialize it to our kids and environment. I have never had a pure-bred before (always adopted from a shelter or person trying to give away puppies). I know everyone's experience is individual but I thought I'd throw it out there for opinions.

Incidentally, I hadn't heard of English setters being that high-strung, just Irish setters...am I reading the wrong websites?!

THANKS ALL!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

After reading the description, wow, sounds like a ton of extra work. Note the NEEDS DAILY WALK OR DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
We are finding this not as easy to do.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishsetter.htm

We adopted 2 rescue dogs in April, now they are 8 months old. Puppies are alot of work. Since the breed description says to do daily exercise, not good with obedience, active, etc.. they mean it.
It is a lifestyle change for sure.

Of course if you are a SAHM then I guess you can put the time in. Obviously it will be you and your dh that will take care of the dog.

If you are serious I would look into breeders and what "hunting trials" they are good at. Do you hunt? Obviously this would be a great choice for you if you are bird hunters.
That way you are training them early for it and it is a great way to exercise the dog.
Here is something that can help you get more insight into a "bird dog". They list the English Setter as the number 1 "gun dog". The Setter is listed as a Pointing breed.
http://www.akc.org/events/hunting_tests/pointing_breeds/eligible_breeds.cfmhttp://www.akc.org/events/search/


I waited until my kids were older and they do alot of the work. My youngest is 9 and I wouldn't get a dog until they could take care of it, but that was my rule.

Good Luck on your decision. Not easy, is it? Hopefully this will give you the Purebreed stuff you can do with your dog and will direct you toward the breeder.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Thanks for pointing that website out. I had seen it before. I am a SAHM and don't mind walking a dog. We live in a great neighborhood with almost 2 acres of land (which DH has already partially fenced for the future pup!). Our road also butts up against one of the premiere hiking and recreation areas around Boston. So, I'm hoping we all get to bring the dog along on walks and hikes!

I don't think the English Setter sounds all that high maintenance, but maybe I'm being naive. At least they are placid indoors!

 

[almacdonald]

It's not necessarily true that mixed breeds are cheaper than pure breds. The cost of adopting from local shelters is about $50 - $100 more than I paid for my beagles.

But when you figure in the vet bills to get your pets fixed, the humane society is a GREAT price, less than it would cost to get an animal fixed! And the animals are vet checked as well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for pointing that website out. I had seen it before. I am a SAHM and don't mind walking a dog. We live in a great neighborhood with almost 2 acres of land (which DH has already partially fenced for the future pup!). Our road also butts up against one of the premiere hiking and recreation areas around Boston. So, I'm hoping we all get to bring the dog along on walks and hikes!

I don't think the English Setter sounds all that high maintenance, but maybe I'm being naive. At least they are placid indoors!

Yes you are being naive. It is one thing to know that ALL dogs would be better with a 45 min walk daily every single morning.
To have it listed in the breed description means you take it seriously.

I would suggest that you do a daily 45 min walk without a dog now. See how much you like or hate it. We are finding daily walking with the dogs to be challenging.

I would also look into ways you are going to exercise the dog besides a walk. This is a hunting dog and needs stimulation.
I would be leary to get the dog since it states it is hard to train in obedience. That would not make it my first choice.

Whatever you do go with a top notch breeder that knows their stuff. They will help you. Expect to pay alot, just so you don't have sticker shock. One thousand or more for the dog, I don't know.

This is going to be an indoor dog, right? I read that is it NOT a kennel dog.

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Thanks for that info, goofy!

It sounds more like what I had been hearing re: ES. We have just begun contacting local breeders and will definitely do as you say with the questions. IMHO, any dog can be a great dog if it is trained and socialized right from the start. That is our intent. And we aren't getting a dog just to look at it; we want it to be part of the family and involved! So, I will take everything said to heart and we'll see what happens! aw:

 

[Horseshoes]

Here is my .02

We wanted a puppy for our family--I'm a SAHM with 3 kids also, but mine are a little older than yours. ANd I had the same thoughts as you, we could walk the dog, play with it, socialize it, etc.

I've always had dogs, and have had a puppy too, so I knew what to expect.
But I never had a puppy while having kids and that was what I didnt expect.

We got our puppy almost 2 years ago now and it was one of the most trying experiences. She required so much time that I felt it was taking time away from my kids.

The puppy did things that all puppies do, like nipping at us and trying to chew on our things. Of course we tried to correct her but it didnt happen over night. When my kids played with her and she got too excited she would nip at them. And my kids ended up being afraid of getting nipped all the time. Obviously she grew out of that. But it was difficult. Trying to cook dinner, I was interuppted to see what the puppy was doing, helping with homework, I was interuppted to see what the puppy was doing, etc DH isnt always around to help out either, most of it fell on me. THats why I felt it took time away from being with my kids.

NOw she is much better that she is almost 2, but I vowed I will never get a puppy again, I will look for a dog that is 2-3 years old.

She is a good dog and its because I put a lot of time to train her right.

Good luck on your decision

 

[MissMinnie]

When I was a kid, we had 3 beagles, all three were puppies when we got them. They can be stubborn, but are very trainable because of their intelligence. They like to play with kids and are gentle and affectionate. All three of them were obtained from the pound as puppies at different times, so it is possible to get purebreds from a shelter. If you change your mind about the age of your new friend, a retired racing Greyhound makes a wonderful pet. There are rescue leagues for them that place them in homes. They do not need constant "runs" everyday and will become couch potatoes if you let them. They are very sweet, come completely trained and disciplined. I know a few people that have adopted one or two and they say they are the best pets they have ever had. My dog now is a Greyhound mix (pound puppy) and is the sweetest. I have had him for 14 years now with no problems. Also, not as common or as pretty, English Bulldogs make good pets too, as well as pugs.

 

[airhead]

Just sent you a PM

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Expect to pay alot, just so you don't have sticker shock. One thousand or more for the dog, I don't know.

To the OP:

I wouldn't expect to pay over $1000 for a "pet quality" English Setter. If you're looking for a "show quality" dog, then you probably would. Nothing wrong with pet quality dogs, they just don't have all of the qualities that a judge would look for. To the average joe, "pet" and "show" look exactly alike. As a matter of fact, unless you're buying a show quality dog to actually show, there's a good chance that a breeder wouldn't even consider selling it to someone looking for a pet.

We have 2 Boxers (paid $900 each), another highly energetic breed and they are great with kids. We take them for a walk once a day and every other day, we take thm to the dog run for an hour. They are very well socialized and are extremely fit. Whatever dog you choose, have fun! Dogs are the greatest!

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

I have known several English Setter...and they are some of the best dogs I have known. My aunt and uncle had them as hunting dogs. The mom setter, Maggie, was a perfect dog. She did excellent in field trials (one of the top dogs in the nation) and was also very well behaved in the house. When I visted them as a child I remember playing with her a lot and never felt afraid that she would bite. She was also not a very excitable dog. I must say, that her behavior is in part due to the excellent training she recieved. She had several liters of puppies (setter pups are soooo cute!!!) and my aunt and uncle kept a couple. While the puppies were nice, both of them are a little more "wild" and excitable than their mother was. Not bad dogs, but just not perfect.

Good luck with your choice! If you get one, make sure you get a nice brush to brush their fur with...it's long and it sheds!