RE: English Setters
I'm sure the ones you hunt with were force trained to retrieve. I know as a fact that most won't retrieve naturally. Mine picks the birds up and brings them to me and I haven't trained him in the least.
I'm sure everyone does have opinions on the best family dog but I think of the Setter as the most docile. I haven't ever seen one get mad or aggressive towards anything but birds.
Just my opinions and beliefs. Good hunting. I'm off to shoot some pheasants.