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Puppies
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Selecting your puppy
Sounds like you are already hooked on English Setters, so as long as you are ready for the care, grooming and exercise needs of an English, remembering that he will grow into a rather large and hairy creature, you need to go looking for that special one that you will bring home.
When visiting breeders, make sure you see other members of the canine family, mother, other puppies and any older dogs on the premises. Check to see they are all happy and healthy and that their living quarters are clean. Ask lots of questions and be prepared to have questions asked of you too.
Puppies should not leave their breeder until they are at least 8 weeks old. They should have been treated for worms from approximately 2-3 weeks of age, and have had their first vaccination at approximately 6-7 weeks of age. Vaccination records, registration certificate, a copy of the pedigree (whether you are purchasing for show or pet) and a puppy care and diet sheet should be available to you when or before you collect your puppy.
Bringing him home
Whether or not you have another dog, you still need to be ready to bring your new puppy home. You need to check your premises are secure, have puppy's living area and sleeping quarters organised, and food and equipment ready. Most breeders will give you a small supply of food so puppy can start off eating what he has been used to, but it is a good idea to ask the breeder what food to buy before you collect your pup. A change of diet usually causes diarrhoea, so if you want to change his basic food, you need to do it gradually.
The transition from mother and litter mates to a new home is probably the most dramatic change a dog ever goes through so you need to give him lots of love and affection and plenty of reassurance. It's a good idea to collect your puppy early so he has plenty of time to "suss out" his new environment. He will be most excited with all the new smells, probably his first car ride, and new people to play with. Keep yourself and your children fairly calm and don't let him get over-excited or over-tired. Show him his bed, his water bowl and have plenty of newspaper in the spot you are hoping he will use to relieve himself.
House-training
All puppies need to relieve themselves frequently so make sure you take him outside initially every hour or so, and always immediately after he wakes up, after playing, after feeding and before going to bed. Take him to the same spot each time and praise him well when he has finished his job. Have his newspaper in the same spot, fairly near his bed or whatever area you have selected as "his" inside area. Don't scold him if he has an accident, and never rub his nose in it. Most English Setters catch on very quickly that outside is the place to go, and are house-trained within a few weeks.
Care and feeding
Your breeder will guide you on care and feeding for the first few months, and will have provided you with a diet sheet. Remember to regularly worm him and ensure he has the required vaccinations at 12 and 16 weeks of age.
As he grows the number of meals he has in a day will decrease, but his overall food intake will increase dramatically. As an active and fast-growing adolescent he needs his source of energy and nutrition to keep him healthy. Once he has dropped down to two meals per day, it is a good idea to keep him on two meals for the rest of his life, even if one is only a light meal. Don't be tempted to feed him too much though and make sure his feeds are at regular times of the day.
Remember, a puppy will grow into a lifetime responsibility, so be prepared for him to be a member of your family for 10 or more years.
Club policy on Hip Dysplasia
The English Setter Association of Victoria Inc supports the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) position that all breeding stock be hip x-rayed, and that only animals with scores below the breed average be bred. This policy to be reviewed and amended as required.
This policy statement was agreed upon by the ESA of Vic Inc committee at its meeting on 1 October 2002. Policy was reviewed and updated in 2004.
Disclaimer: Notification of members' dogs or litters available for sale is purely a list of those members who have notified the Club of animals for sale. The Club does NOT endorse or recommend, or make any representations as to the reputation of any breeder and accepts no responsibility in regard to information provided in listings by club members. Prospective purchasers need to consult with breeders re any health issues and/or hip scores of sire and dam prior to purchasing a dog or puppy.
Updated policy July 2004
As of July 30, 2004, the ESAV will no longer endorse litters from matings of parents that have not been HD tested. For sales to be passed on by the ESAV, members will be required to formally notifying the Puppy Sales Officer/s of litter details accompanied by written proof of HD test results. The information provided on hip score results is not for publication and the details to be passed on to potential purchasers will be that the parents have hip scores at or below the breed average. Breeders will be required to sign a statement authorising the club to pass on this information along with details of sire, dam, puppies available and breeder contact details.
Litters:
Contact the Club puppy officer for details of puppies or older dogs available. Select the "Welcome" or "Contact Us" button on the menu for phone numbers or to send an enquiry via email or the web submit form.