by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: November 13, 2009

The French Setter is a breed that is native to the land of France, where it is known as the Braque Francais. It is believed by many that they have their roots in the area of the Spanish Pyrenees prior to moving into Europe, though. This is a dog that was bred specifically for hunting and it is only rarely acquired for any other purpose. They are exceptional as gun dogs, being completely calm and unaffected by the sight and sound of the gun. They also point accurately and readily, adding to their magnificent ability as hunting companions. These dogs have been used for all sorts of ground hunting, but they are not typically good around water.

According to breed standards, the French Setter should be around 25 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight should be in the range of 53 to 59 pounds, with males usually being a bit larger than females. They should be well-proportioned in appearance and not look excessively fatty. The ears are held in the flopped position and are relatively long, a trait that most hunting dogs have in common. The eyes are intelligent and sensitive in expression and can look sad when the dog is at rest, lighting up on the hunt. They are dark amber in color. The nose is dark and the muzzle rather long. The upper lips hang over the lower. The tail is tapered, being thick at the base and getting thinner towards the tip, when left natural.

The coat of the French Setter is short to medium in length. They are average shedders and their grooming is fairly easy, only needing a thorough brushing a couple of times per week with a stiff brush to ensure that there is no matting, nothing stuck in the fur, and to remove loose hairs. This will also keep the coat looking shiny and healthy. The color of the coat is white and there are chestnut colored patches throughout. The fur on the belly, chest, legs, throat, and ears should be feathered.

The French Setter is a breed that is suited for hunting work, really not ideal for a pet because they truly love their work. They are happiest when they are on the hunt by the side of their owner. This breed will need a lot of exercise in order to burn off the amazing amount of energy that they have. The high level of intelligence that the breed possesses means that they should have plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom. If they are not kept busy enough, they will be prone to undesirable behaviors, such as obsessive barking or destructiveness. They are very loyal and form strong bonds with their owners.

Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, stable, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly, especially regarding the natural hunting instincts that they have. Plenty of praise and reward will be quite useful in training the French Setter. This dog should be well socialized from an early age with both people and animals.

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