English Setters, Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

[crl]

I'm investigating dog breeds while contemplating getting a dog.

I've googled and read the breed standards on the AKC site and the breed club websites and wiki for these two breeds. But now I am wondering if anyone here has had any experience with either of these breeds and would make any comments.

I'm looking for a family pet that would be good with young children. My other main interests are the exercise requirements of the breed and ease of training.

Thank you so much for any thoughts on this!
Catherine

[nd_deadhead]

Both are beautiful dogs, and wonderful hunting dogs. Neither would be my first (or 10th) choice for a family pet.

I am more familiar with Irish Setters than English, and they tend to be fairly hyper. From what I know of Duck Tolling retrievers, they are very high energy dogs. Both would require a LOT of exercise, especially if you are getting a puppy. Just a quick search on both breeds suggests that both would do best with experienced trainers - because of their intelligence, they require firm, consistent leadership. English setters can be nuicance barkers (according to the single source I glanced at).

What sparks your interest in these breeds, rather than the more common Lab or Golden Retreiver (both considered among the best family dogs out there)?

[crl]

Originally Posted by nd_deadhead

What sparks your interest in these breeds, rather than the more common Lab or Golden Retreiver (both considered among the best family dogs out there)?

I love the traditional Golden temperament, but my reading suggests that the popularity of Goldens has made their temperaments unpredictable. I've seen some similar comments about Labs. I am also somewhat concerned about the very high cancer rate for Goldens. And my reading suggests that English Setters are actually calmer and more gentle indoors than Labs. My understanding is that the English Setter is the calmest of the setters. I found almost nothing on the Tolling Retrievers, although I was left with the impression that they probably have at least as high exercise needs as a Lab, if not more. They sounded a bit less zany though in personality.

But it seems hard to get a handle on these comparisions--probably partially because every dog is an individual and probably partially because there aren't that many people with significant experience in multiple breeds.

Also, I have at least a bit of first hand experience with Goldens and Labs, plus there is more information about them generally available so I feel like I know more about them already. I have not ruled them out at all. Just pondering alternatives.

Thanks,
Catherine

[sunny*pa*mom]

My neighbors have english setters and they bark constantly. They are extremely high energy and regularly knock my 4 and 5 year old boys down. They are very friendly though and good with kids and dogs. They need serious exercise though, running through the mountains type exercise, a few mile walk is insufficient.

[crl]

Thank you!
Catherine