Phil from Maine

All the ones I have seen retrieves so I am not sure how rare this is.

We all could argue this one as retaining to different breeds but, I won't go there.

sproulman

my neighbor had 2 irish setters,dark red in 1971..they did not hunt them..both were great hunting birds around highschool..what a nose..

both died at 1 year old,both had their mouths lock open and would not shut..a terrible thing to see happen to dog..

outdoorslover

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.

Phil from Maine

No, not at all, I do not even know how to force train a dog!! I would no way force my setters at all. They came with champion Irish imports in their blood and nothing like what most have ever seen hunting here!

Same here my friend! This is not the best way to carry one but still bringing it in for me. As you can tell he appears to be quite happy and coming fast with this pheasant.





Sproulman, I am sure that wouldhave been a terrible thing to have happen. My female is four and my male will be three day after Christmas so I do not think this will happen to me. Good luck and good hunting.

daleh

A Bird Dog is A Bird Dog and A Dog is a Dog
What you do with them makes the difference

outdoorslover

Those look just my dog!!!! I'd love to get another!!

fishnfan

Be careful if you get anEnglish Setter...they will break your heart when they leave you. I have had two (Jill and Susie), both were wonderful dogs, not just from a hunting standpoint, but they were like members of the family. I just lost Susie on 11/30. Found out she had cancer on Monday of that week, confirmed on Tues, had surgery at a specialist on Thursday and passed away Thursday night. I cried like a baby. I was devastated. She looked like the post two above this one, the dog with the orange patch on her right eye. Beautiful dog, wonderful personality, loved to hunt. Both were from NSTRA stock, bothranged out but kept close enough most of the time. Always glad to see you, always wagging their tails,brightened your day every time you went in the back yard. If you like to bird hunt, and you want a dog that will love you more than you love her, that has no equal in sporting dogs on looks or class (sorry other dog owners) and that will be one of your best hunting buddies and like apart of the family, get an English Setter. But treasure each day you have her, because no matter how long you get, it won't be long enough.

outdoorslover

I have one and it is the best dog we've owned. He's a purebred from a shelter and was VERY timid when we first got him. I was planning on using him for hunting and so I had to get him socialized. He was gunshy at first but got over it eventually after slowly coaxing him into it.After about a year he learned who his BEST friend is--me. He lives and breathes for me and hunting. Everything he does is meant to please. He is a great hunter now and points beautifully, finding a good hundred birds a year. I trained him very little. He had basic obedience training and was trained to stay close when hunting. He can have a bit of a mind of his own. He will sometimes forget about you when hunting but is normally quite suitable.

He gets along great with my family and has never showed aggression towards anything if not called for(dogs picking on him). He NEVER picks fights. He wouldn't hurt a baby as was proven when my niece came over to visit for the week. He treated her gently and loved her as he does anyone.

I know everyone says this but you won't find a gentler dog or better hunter. I personally haven't. They have a great temperament and natural hunting instinct. As I said, mine was never trained but will hold a point. Once you go up to him, he will run and flush the bird. It is quite amazing.

Well, you know my favorite breed

WYOWIRES

My brother raises English Setters. They hunt with my Wirehairs even in ice for waterfowl. Great little hunters (don't tell him I said this) and really personable dogs. I like my Wires and will stick with them. I like a good working dog period and am willing to hunt with those perty Setters. He has a litter now that are a couple weeks old. Not sure if he has any left tho. They seem to go pretty fast.
Good Luck
WYOWIRES

www.bighornkennels.com

outdoorslover

OOPS guys. I just realizedI posted numerous times on this topic. My bad.