trimming

If you have decided that an English Setter is for you - then you will need some basic guidance in how to keep the coat groomed and looking tidy. This is for Pet Owners only. Show trimming is much more complex operation!
English Setters are a long coated breed with lots of fine silky featherings, on the tail, forelegs, hindlegs and chest. Kept in good order the coat will look beautiful fine and flowing. Pay no attention to it at all and it will soon become full of knots and cause the poor dog all sorts of problems.

Also worth bearing in mind is that a long coat will become very dirty and bring most of the mud from your walk into the house. As the dog dries out the mud will be left upon your nice clean floors. If your Setter's feet are left untrimmed they begin to look like a pair of hairy carpet slippers and hold much more dirt and mud all of which adds to the deposits on your floors. If none of this worries you then fine! If it does, perhaps you should think about a shorter coated breed!

Are you confident enough to keep your own dog trimmed yourself? The Breeder of your Puppy should be able to give your some basic information - scissors, brush, and what parts of your dog will need trimming. If you are not able to do this, remember sending your dog away to the groomers is not cheap! Even if you are not going to trim your own dog you WILL need to brush your dog at least 3 times a week. Do you have the time to do this?

Long coated breeds also moult heavily! Lots of long fine hairs everywhere. Lots of vacuuming! This part of owning a dog is not to everyone's taste. Again, think about the breed for you!

If you decide to have your dog neutered the hormonal change will effect the structure of the coat. The coat becomes thicker and this will make the management of the coat a little more difficult. Just another thing to think about as to whether this is really the breed for you.

People often see an English Setter and stop to admire their beautiful soft flowing coat. Please remember that is only achieved by good management and time and effort put into to the dogs day to day basic welfare.

A To Keep the ears looking tidy using a pair of single bladed thinning scissors to trim the hair on the outer surface of the ear. Leave some long hair on the front edge of the ear. Using the same scissors remove the thick hair from under the ear.

B Keep the neck and throat looking tidy by removing the thicker
coat (ruff) with single blade thinning scissors again.

C Trim featherings off the back of the rear legs below the hock and down to the foot.

D Trim off featherings on the front legs just above the foot.

E To keep the feet tidy run your finger up between the toes and trim off the protruding hair in line with the toes with ordinary hairdressing scissors. Trim off any further protruding hair neatly around the pads.