Trying to determine if an English Setter is hypoallergenic? Is it even possible that this breed of dog could be hypoallergenic? There have been several myths out there about the answer to this question. Hopefully, by reading this article you will receive more information about the truth about the English Setter and allergies. Keep reading to know more!
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ENGLISH SETTER
English Setters are beautiful dogs that are friendly and playful. They have a soft, silky coat and a long tail that they use to wag when they’re happy. English Setters look like they’re smiling in their photos because of their cute snouts! Here are some major characteristics of an English Setter before you get one.
🟩 Color
Color is an extremely important characteristic of an English Setter. The coat should be either lemon or orange, with a tri-color (white hairs, blue, and tan). The hair should also be uniform throughout the body. A rich and bright coloring is preferred as well.
🟩 Range of size
English Setters are generally between 18 and 24 inches in height, and they typically weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Males tend to be taller than females, with an average weight of 45 to 55 pounds compared to 35 to 45 pounds for females.
🟩 Coat
The English Setter has a coat that is medium in length, with a dense undercoat and a coarse outer coat. The hair on the head and legs is short, but it’s longer on the neck, shoulders, and tail. The fur is thick and wiry, which makes it waterproof, it sheds very little!
🟩 Temperament
The temperament of an English Setter is one of the most important characteristics. A well-tempered dog will have a good attitude, be friendly and happy, have a solid work ethic, and be easy to train. The English Setter is known for having an excellent temperament, which is reflected in how they behave around people and other dogs.
The breed is known for being patient with children and other pets, as well as being relatively calm when left alone at home or when out on walks. They are not aggressive so they make great family pets because they get along well with everyone in the family including younger children who may be roughhousing around them when they’re playing outside together!
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING AN ENGLISH SETTER AS A PET
The English Setter is an elegant, long-legged dog that was originally bred to hunt small game, particularly birds. It has a dense coat that requires brushing and combing on a regular basis. The English Setter is one of the most popular show dogs in America and has been featured at shows since the 19th century. So what makes an English Setter a great pet?
🟩 Irresistibly adorable
English Setters are irresistibly cute. When they’re at their best, they want nothing more than to be by your side and make you laugh with their antics. Their sweet nature makes them great companions for kids, as well.
🟩 Medium-sized dog
An English Setter is a medium-sized dog, which makes it very friendly for families with children. The English Setter also makes a great hunting dog and guard dog because of its strong instincts to hunt and protect.
🟩 Friendly by nature
English Setters are friendly by nature. They love to be around people and will welcome strangers into their homes. English Setters are not aggressive or shy, so they can easily get along with other dogs, cats, and children.
🟩 Well-behaved
English setters are very well-behaved. As mentioned, they are very good with children, other dogs, cats, and other pets. They are also good with strangers. They do not bark excessively and are generally quiet in the house. The English Setter is an intelligent dog that can be trained easily to do tricks or just obey basic commands such as sit, stay, and rollover.
🟩 High intelligence level
The English Setter is a very intelligent dog. This means that they can be trained to do tricks and obey commands easily, which makes them a joy to have around the house. They are also easy to housebreak, so they don’t make too much mess in the house!
They are very loyal animals and will stick with you through thick and thin. This makes them great pets for families with children as long as they’re not allowed outside without supervision. It’s likely that your English Setter will become your child’s best friend if given proper attention and training throughout its lifetime.
English Setters often learn how to play fetch on their own after being taught just once by their owner or family member! Some schools of thought say that this behavior may have something to do with their wild ancestors who would hunt small game such as rabbits. However, no one really knows why they enjoy chasing after plastic balls so much (though we suspect it has something to do with keeping them busy when there isn’t any actual prey around).
🟩 Very fast learner
English setters are very intelligent dogs and they learn quickly. English setters can be trained to respond to commands, perform tricks and even behave better around family members or strangers. The more you train your English Setter the better he will get at learning new things.
It is important to train your dog at an early age so that he understands what behavior is acceptable in public places like parks or on walks through the neighborhood. If you do not properly socialize your dog, then he may become aggressive towards people or other animals when he gets older which could cause him to harm if not corrected early on in his life
🟩 English Setter is not destructive
English Setters are a good match for families with kids. They are gentle dogs, but also energetic and playful. This makes them excellent companions for children because they can keep up with the kids’ energy, but also be calm enough to relax around them. English Setters are not aggressive or destructive, so there is little risk that your dog will harm your child in any way.
On top of all this, English Setters don’t tend to be hyperactive like some other breeds, and this makes them a great choice for people who want a pet who will stay still long enough for children’s games or art projects.
You can also click here to check more of their personalities.
DISADVANTAGES OF KEEPING AN ENGLISH SETTER DOG
English Setters are known for their beautiful, silky coats and their keen sense of smell. They can be active dogs with a lot of energy, making them perfect for long walks or jogs around town. However, English Setters do have some drawbacks that people should consider before adopting one into their family:
🟩 English Setters are not apartment dogs
English Setters are not good for your apartment. They need a lot of space and they aren’t suited to small apartments or even small yards. English Setters need room to run and play, so if you live in an apartment and don’t have room for an English Setter, it may be best to consider another breed of dog. If you live in a house with less than two acres (1 hectare), this breed might also not be right for you because they need plenty of space to roam around outside.
🟩 They require heavy grooming
If you want to keep an English Setter dog, you’ll need to be prepared for a lot of work. This breed requires regular grooming and brushing throughout the year. They also shed, so expect to vacuum often! It’s important that you brush their teeth regularly and trim their nails as needed; otherwise, they could develop dental problems or ingrown nails that could lead to infection.
🟩 They need plenty of exercises
English Setters are energetic dogs. They need plenty of exercises, so they should be taken on long walks or runs at least twice daily. If you’re unable to provide your dog with the amount of exercise he needs, consider hiring a professional dog walker who can take your pup out on a regular basis.
🟩 English Setters do not like to be left alone for too long.
English Setters are extremely social dogs, which means they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. When you come home from work and ignore your English Setter for hours on end, it can become destructive or depressing. You might think that leaving the dog in his crate would keep him safe from hurting himself or destroying your house, but this actually makes the situation worse. The dog will feel isolated and depressed while in his empty cage, and he’ll probably find ways to escape so he can spend time with friends (or at least make some new ones).
🟩 They may have blood disorders.
The English Setter is a very popular breed. It is a medium-sized dog that has beautiful silky fur and a long coat. This breed of dog can be very energetic, so you will need to make sure that you keep them active by exercising them on a regular basis. The English Setter may also have blood disorders such as hemophilia or Von Willebrand disease (VWD), which is an inherited bleeding disorder that causes excessive bleeding due to the lack of blood clotting factor VIII or von Willebrand Factor (VWF).
ARE ENGLISH SETTERS HYPOALLERGENIC?
Yes, English setters are hypoallergenic.
While there is no breed that is completely hypoallergenic (meaning they do not shed), English setters have a reputation for being one of the most hypoallergenic of all dog breeds. They have what is called a “double coat,” which means they have an outer coat and an undercoat, and both of these layers shed. However, unlike other breeds with double coats, the English setter’s undercoat does not shed as much and tends to be lighter in color than its top coat.
Additionally, English setters have very little dander, which is what causes allergy symptoms in humans. This makes them ideal for people with sensitive allergies or asthma.
BONUS: Their Health Problems
English Setters are known for their beautiful red and white coats, but they have some health problems that you should be aware of if you decide to own one.
🟩 Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that causes hip pain, lameness, and arthritis. It occurs when the thighbone of your English Setter doesn’t fit snugly into the hip socket. This misalignment can cause arthritis and other problems with the growth and movement of your dog. Surgery may be required to correct this type of problem if other treatments are unsuccessful at relieving pain or restoring mobility in your dog’s joints.
🟩 Gastric Torsion
Gastric torsion is a condition that occurs when the stomach of your English Setter twists on its axis, causing it to become obstructed. This obstruction can be fatal if left untreated, and because symptoms are not always obvious, gastric torsion is often mistaken for other conditions. It’s important that you know what to look for if your Setter suffers from gastric torsion so that you can get him proper treatment as soon as possible.
>>Symptoms of Gastric Torsion
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Vomiting, which may be bloody or greenish, yellow in coloration
- Lack of appetite
🟩 Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a condition in which the English Setter body’s immune system destroys red blood cells. The result is a reduction in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to tissues and organs.
In English setters with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, dogs frequently experience episodes where their spleens enlarge and release large amounts of old or damaged blood cells into the bloodstream. These episodes can cause weakness and pale gums as well as jaundice (yellow coloration of your dog’s skin or gums). If left untreated, these episodes may lead to a loss of appetite for several days followed by rapid weight loss due to severe dehydration caused by severe vomiting or diarrhea. Then, they can experience death from shock, or heart failure from low levels of oxygen reaching vital organs such as the brain and liver.
🟩 Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when increased pressure builds up inside your Setter’s eye. This can damage the optic nerve and lead to total blindness. It is often an inherited condition. But in some cases, it develops later in life as a result of injury or other illnesses. For example, if your English Setter suffers an eye injury that causes swelling, he could develop glaucoma even if he wasn’t born with it.
If you notice any signs of glaucoma in your English Setter, such as cloudy eyes or a red appearance around the iris, it’s important to take him to the vet right away for treatment. In most cases, this means giving him eye drops or drugs that reduce pressure inside his eyes. However, occasionally surgery may be required depending on how severe his case is (and how much money you want to spend).
🟩 Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a genetic disease that causes vision loss in English Setters. It can affect all dogs, but it’s more common in some breeds than others. Although the exact cause of PRA isn’t known, it’s passed down through families of dogs and is more likely to occur if both parents carry the defective gene for PRA.
🟩 Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is rare in English Setter puppies, but it’s most common in large dogs. This cancer can occur in any bone but is most likely to affect the hips, shoulders, and ribs.
It’s important to note that many types of cancer are called “bone” cancers because they start in bones, but actually spread to other parts of the body (in this case the lungs) as well. If an English Setter has bone cancer it may be difficult for them to breathe or move around due to weakness from their illness.
🟩 Heart Disease
Heart disease is the most common disease in English Setters. And it’s an unfortunate reality that many of these dogs will experience heart problems. It is treatable but not always curable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent it or slow its progression:
- Keep your Setter lean by feeding it a low-fat diet and giving it plenty of exercise.
- Avoid kibble mixes with high levels of sodium (salt) or additives like artificial preservatives. Be sure to read labels carefully if you opt for premade food products. Many contain ingredients that could potentially be harmful to your English Setter’s health over time if consumed consistently.
- Don’t let him drink too much water at once. Be especially careful during sweltering summer months when temperatures soar well above 80 degrees Fahrenheit!
FINAL WORDS
Allergies are a difficult thing to deal with on a day-to-day basis. But hypoallergenic dog breeds can make the job a bit easier for the asthmatic or allergic among us. This is an interesting topic, but the main takeaway here is that when it comes to dog breeds, one size doesn’t fit all. If you have interest in finding a dog that’s hypoallergenic (or one less likely to shed or have dander), simply ask your breeder which breed they recommend! Or, have an English Setter!
