Owning dogs, especially providing care for the english setter, is a specialty of people. Some zoologists theorize dogs were first domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, we have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, which vary in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose three-ft stature has earned them the title of the tallest pooch. But the most widespread dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The english setter is another favorite choice with canine owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of some of the most common english setter care tips.
General cost of care for your english setter
The annual cost of raising your english setter—to include meals, veterinary care, toys and license—can range between $420 and $780. This is not even considering capital costs for spay/neuter operations, a collar and a leash, carrier and a crate. Tip: Make sure you have all of your supplies before you bring your english setter home.
General english setter Care
english setter Feeding Outline
- english setter puppies between 8 and twelve weeks need 4 bowls of food daily.
- english setter puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals in a day.
- Feed pups six months old to one year old two times daily.
- When your english setter reaches her 1st birthday, 1 feeding daily is enough.
- Sometimes english setters, however, prefer two lighter meals. It is your responsibility to adapt to your english setter’s eating habits.
High-quality dry dog food ensures a balanced diet to full-grown english setters and may be mixed with canned food, broth, or water. Your english setter may dig cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these dishes should not add up to more than 10 percent of his or her daily allowance. english setter puppies ought to be fed a high-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should limit “people food”, though, since it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and may result in extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, potable water only, and make certain to wash water and food dishes daily.
english setter Care Tips: Your english setter needs exercise daily
english setters must get some daily physical activity to stay in shape, stimulate their minds, and maintain good health. Exercise also really helps english setters fight boredom, which would often lead to destructive behavior. Going outside will quench many of your english setter’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Exercise needs will depend on your english setter’s age and his or her level of health—but a couple of walks around the block every day and ten minutes in the backyard probably won’t be sufficient. If your english setter is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will probably be much higher.
Grooming tips for english setters
You can help keep your english setter clean and reduce shedding with regular brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Many english setters don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Prior to giving him a bath, comb or cut out all mats from the english setter’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
english setter Handling
Puppies are clearly the easiest to handle. When carrying your english setter puppy, place 1 hand beneath your dog’s chest, either with your forearm or other hand supporting her hind legs and rear. Don’t attempt to grab or lift your puppy by his forelegs, nape or tail. If you have to pick up a larger, adult english setter, pick it up from the underside, supporting her chest with 1 of your arms and rump with the other arm.
english setter housing
english setters need a comfortable peaceful location to relax away from all drafts and off the ground. You might want to think about buying a doggie bed, or make one from a wooden box. Place a clean sheet or pillow in the bed as cushioning. Wash your english setter’s bedding frequently. If the english setter will be outdoors much, make certain she has shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a warm, covered, dry area during the winter.
english setter Licensing
There are licensing rules to follow in your area. Make certain to attach the license to your english setter’s collar. This, together with an ID tag or tattoo, can possibly help secure your english setter’s return should she become lost.
Facts on english setter Temperament
Training english setters
Well-behaved, companion english setters are a pleasure to raise. But when left untrained, your english setter may be a pain. Teaching your english setter the basics—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—bolsters your relationship with both the dog as well as the friends. If you have a pup, begin training him on the appropriate behavior asap! Use meals as recognition and incentive. Puppies should join obedience class when they are sufficiently immunized. Contact your community SPCA or humane society for details about obedience class recommendations. Always keep your english setter on a leash in public, even while a pup. Be certain your dog will come to you if you say. A disobedient or aggressive english setter cannot play with people.
About your english setter’s Health
english setters should see the vet for a complete diagnosis, shots and heartworm examination annualy, and immediately when she is ill or injured.
The Oral Health of Your english setter
Although we might simply dislike our english setter’s halitosis, we must pay attention to what it may be a symptom of. Halitosis is a symptom that your english setter should have an oral check up. Dental plaque , which is a result of germs creates a terrible smell that demands treatment by a professional. Once your english setter has had a professional oral cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can provide you with other tips for minimizing dental problems and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your english setter’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects english setters. Sometimes, tooth loss occurs due to periodontal infection. Infections will sometimes also propagate to other areas of your english setter’s body. Veterinarians can sometimes clean your dog’s teeth at a regular checkup.
english setters with Bad Breath
Even though the foul odors due to dental disease may not be too serious if caught early, some odors may be indicative of serious, long-term problems. Liver or intestinal diseases sometimes also cause halitosis, whereas a sweet, fruity smell can often be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possibility if your english setter’s breath smells like urine or ammonia. If ever you determine your english setter has smelly breath accompanied by other indicators of ill health, like loss of appetite, vomiting, loss of weight, bad mood, increased drinking or urination, plan a visit to the veterinarian.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in english setters
Daily, regular checks of your english setter for ticks and fleas in the warm seasons are important. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are numerous new methods of tick mitigation. Speak to your vet about her or his options.
Heartworm problems in english setters
Your english setter is at risk of developing heartworms if she is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transport the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations can be deadly. It is extremely important you ensure your english setter takes a blood test for this parasite annually in the spring. It is recommended that you give your english setter a once-a-month pill in mosquito season to protect him from heartworms. Your english setter should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some regions, usually the locations with more moderate temperatures, where the veterinarians recommend parasite medication be taken all the time.
Poisions and Medicines
If you’re thinking about giving your english setter pills that was not prescribed for her by his veterinarian, don’t even think about it. Just one ibuprofen tablet can initiate stomach ulcers in english setters. Make sure your english setter is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure to contact your english setter’s doctor if you have reason to suspect your english setter has eaten poison. You could also immediately call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hr. help.
Neutering and Spaying english setters
Female english setters should be spayed—which is the extraction of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—removal of the testicles—by 6 months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently fatal illness of older female english setters. The chance of an infected uterus, which is also a serious condition that impacts older females, can be removed by spaying prior to six months. Neutering male english setters prevents prostate and testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
Immunizing your english setter
- Your english setter puppy should be innoculated with a combo innoculation (called a “five-in-one”) at 2, 3 and four months old, and again once annually. This immunization immunizes your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your english setter must be vaccinated for at least the first four months of her life.
- If your english setter has not been immunized and is older than 4 months, she will need two innoculations promptly, two to three weeks apart. Then you must innoculate annualy.
- english setter pup socialization and vaccination should coincide. You may take your english setter puppy to socialization courses by eight to nine weeks old, according to most veterinarians. They should have received their first innoculations by then.
Since laws vary between different areas, call your local vet for instructions on rabies shots. For example, in NYC, the regulation states that any pets older than three months must be vaccinated for rabies. The first rabies vaccine must be followed by another immunization the following year, and then every three years after that. There are several innoculations that may effective for your english setter. Your veterinarian can tell youmore about them. Note, if your english setter gets sick because she is not properly immunized, the shots should be given once your dog fully recovers.
Intestinal Worms in english setters
english setters are commonly exposed to worms—especially in rural areas. Tiny eggs produced by roundworms and hookworms are passed in an infested dog’s stool. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry roundworms or hookworms. An accurate, early diagnosis is the key to treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be effective against your english setter’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates roundworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best figure out the culprit—and decide the right medication.
english setter: Miscellaneous Care Tips
Checklist of english setter Supplies
- Premium-quality dog food and snacks specifically for english setters and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with sheet or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to english setters:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocoloate or any food with caffeine
- Grapes & raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in space, always keep your english setter on a leash. And please, when your english setter defecates on your neighbor’s yard, remove it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about english setters
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