The Irish setter is a handsome animal, always greatly admired by family and friends. No one can miss the “pride of ownership,” taking a stroll around the block or a long walk in the woods with his favorite Irish. As for a ride in the car, he loves it and is always ready to go anywhere—anytime—rain or shine.

The Irish is equally at home in a mansion as he is in a small cottage. He is as happy in town as he is in the suburbs and on the farm, just as long as his own beloved family is with him. He is faithful and loyal—he is sweet and affectionate—he is smart and intelligent—he is anxious to please at all times—he has a great sense of humor and a wonderful personality.

The Irish Setter loves children—he will sleep next to the crib to protect the baby and he will be delighted to join a little boy on a fishing trip. He makes a great companion for old and young in the family. In fact. he makes himself part of that family. a member of it. Life is happier and richer with an Irish Setter in our home—and heart.

A Belgian Sheepdog may be the perfect dog for you. This video excerpt explains why…

Because Belgian Sheepdogs (or Shepherd Dogs) differ in color, one must consider this factor. In a litter of black puppies, select one with an even, solid color. VVhite hairs scattered among the black is a very bad fault. A very small, white star is permitted on the chest. Do not single out a pup with a large, white chest patch in the hope that it will become less noticeable at maturity. The white patch will increase in proportion to the rest of the body.

ln a litter of fawn colored puppies, choose the one with the even dark fawn (mahogany) coloring all over the body. The face mask, ear edges, and the tip of the tail should be black. The tips of the individual hairs in the coat should be black. The chest is rather grayish in color at this early age. This chest color deepens into dark gray or black by 18 months of age. The small star of white on the chest is also permitted on the fawn—colored Belgians.

The standard for Belgian Sheepdogs should be studied closely. lf the present American standard is too vague, look up the standard approved by the Belgian Kennel Club and read descriptive articles on the breed that have been written in Europe.

After having taken into consideration all the above points, choose your ideal puppy. The temperament is most important also. The bold, curious little one is always a good choice. Even though you have chosen a puppy as close to the standard as possible, never underestimate the capriciousness of Mother Nature!

Q—Our dog, usually aggressive, runs under the bed at the first sign of lightning and thunder. How can we break him of the habit?

A—You can’t. It is not cowardice: the fear is inborn. Keep him close to you: talk assuring to him, but if he insists on running under the bed or down into the basement, let him do so.

Q—I have been told that black cockers are best in this breed; is there truth to this claim?

A—None. Color is immaterial in the American cocker spaniel. Common colors are solid black, solid red or tan or cream or even platinum; double or parti-color such as red and white, black and white, and there can be tri-colors too.

Q—We have a shorthaired pointer and want to do some hunting. What should we keep in mind?

A—Get permission from land owners. Avoid newly seeded ground. Close gates and fences. Keep gun always broken. Don’t expect too much of your dog. And first, get a hunting license.

Q—My dog, a police dog, likes to go with me on the golf course. Can I train him in any way to carry my clubs?

A—First, don’t call him police dog. There is no such breed. Yes, fix up the usual two-wheeled clubs cart, with harness, and let your dog move with you from hole to hole.

Raising English Setters over a period of twenty-two years, I have seen them come and go as both a field dog and as a show dog.

Most people overlook the setter as a pet or house dog: they usually see the setter as just a dog for hunting. But in my years of experience in breeding and raising them, I have found that even after a hard day in the field, regardless of field or show breeding, you can comb and brush out the burrs and bring your setter into the house and be sure he will be the true gentleman as a setter should be.

It is my opinion that their disposition surpasses that of the average breed and I have seen very few that have the least tendency of being cross. Their sweet and gentle disposition along with their intelligence and aristocratic appearance in the field and in the home make them more appealing to the sportsman and to all lovers of beautiful dogs. Their lovable disposition makes them ideal companions for children.

The English setter thrives on love and affection from its master and household. lf you ever own an English setter, he will ‘get under your skin’ so that you will join the other setter owners in saying ONCE A SETTER, ALWAYS A SETTER.

In the first part of the instruction, make the trails short, in a straight line—no bends. It should be against the wind, that is, upwind; the wind should be blowing over the scent and directly into the face of the dog.

Do not expect your dog to touch the grass or the ground with his nose as he is trailing a fresh trail. While the trail is fairly fresh, some of the scent is still in the air and he can follow it without keeping his nose too close to the ground.

This is important—most everybody thinks that dogs trail loose free from lead. You can start your dog as a novice without a lead, but very shortly put him on a long lead, about a 25 foot lead. Thereafter, keep him on lead all the time.

Here is the first lesson. Take your dog out preferably in the early morning with the dew on the ground because the dew holds the scent. Have no one else around except yourself. Preferably go into a field with grass or foliage not high.

Set your stake at the starting point. Scruff your feet on the ground in order to give plenty of scent at the start, which should be known as the ‘scent spot.’ Then walk with your feet shuffling on the ground or the grass in a straight line against the wind for a short distance, perhaps 50 feet. While the dog is sitting at the starting point watching you, drop the dumbbell; make sure he sees it.

With the dog on heel, start him out and go down along the scent line but, of course, you have returned originally from the dumbbell over the same trail and just a few feet beyond the starting spot.

Be sure the dog smells the ground and give him the command to go and fetch.

Keep this up time after time; reward him very loudly: increase the distance from time to time; change spots and locations. Change items you drop from a dumbbell to wearing article or whatever you wish. Always put plenty of your body odor on them, especially from the palms of your hands.

Make your training sessions short. Adjust your instruction to the dog. Each dog presents a different problem.

Use your own judgment at times.  What is given here are merely suggestions. Do not follow them religiously.

Gotta love this!

“Does Your Dog Do This” is a place for dog lovers to share information and stories about our beloved friends. You’ll find regaular article posts, videos, photos and more as we begin on this fun journey into the world of Dogs. Enjoy!