Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Story
Socialization: Emily is such a sweet and extremely gentle girl. She'll often flop her belly up when she meets strangers and just soak up all the pets she can get. She's been great with everyone she's met so far, including my nieces who range from 3 to 7 years old. She's good with other dogs too. She doesn't have a ton of interest in them, but she'll politely say hello whenever we pass another dog on our walks. She'd be perfectly happy as an only dog, but she'd also do just fine with another pet companion in the home. Emily has a very strong prey drive, so she would not do well with cats or any other small animals.
Training: Emily is an absolute angel in the house. She sleeps most of the day and doesn't have much interest in anything beyond looking out the window and dozing off. We've tried to get her into toys, but she's just not into them yet. She is food motivated though, so mental stimulation treat games are a big hit with her. She does not need to be crated. We've left her uncrated in the house for several hours and she's done great. She'll cry for the first 5 to 10 minutes, but then she settles right in and falls asleep. She also sleeps uncrated in our bedroom on her own bed, though she'll happily join you in the bed if you let her. She picks up on routine very quickly, so she really appreciates a structured day. Emily knows her basic commands like sit, leave it (while inside), and lay down. Like most setters, her recall is not great when she's outside. Because of that strong prey drive, when she spots a squirrel or rabbit she gets very focused and needs help redirecting that focus. When there aren't any animals around, she walks really well on the leash, and being outside is by far her favorite activity.
Activity requirements: We've been taking Emily on daily walks of roughly 4 to 5 miles a day, and that has been sufficient for her. I actually think she could happily handle more, but this seems to be enough to tire her out for the day, especially paired with some mental stimulation. That said, while the walks have been enough, what Emily really needs is a large yard to run around in. She loves sunbathing, rolling around in the grass, and sniffing around, so having that space to herself would make her a very happy girl.
Fence requirements: Emily is a master escape artist, so she'll need a solid 6 foot fence with no gaps, because she will find them. Anytime we take her to a fenced yard, she almost immediately circles the entire perimeter looking for somewhere to escape. So until she's fully trusted, she'd need to be monitored while she's outside just to make sure she isn't finding her way out. She could potentially also do well with an invisible fence if the owner is experienced with training a dog with a high prey drive on it. Some kind of a fenced yard is required for adopting Emily.
Personality: Emily is an absolute sweetheart and one of the most gentle dogs you'll meet. She's very affectionate and loves her people. She'll flop her belly up for pets the second she meets someone new, and while she sleeps happily on her own bed, she'll gladly climb into bed with you if you let her. She's fairly independent and low-key in the house, content to sleep the day away or watch the world go by from the window. She's not much of a toy or play type, but she is very food motivated and loves a good treat game. More than anything, she comes alive outside. Sunbathing, rolling around in the grass, sniffing everything, and going on long walks are her absolute favorite things. The only time we really see her anxious is around loud noises. Some fireworks went off in our neighborhood and they spooked her, and another time a couple of balloons got popped by accident and she ran straight to her person, jumped up in their lap, and was pretty scared.
Health history: Emily is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and on monthly heartworm prevention. She is healthy with no known issues. Her next leishmaniasis test is due in JUne 2027.
This dog originates from Greece where Leishmaniasis is endemic. They tested negative before coming to the USA, but the parasite can remain dormant in the system for many years, so potential adopters must be willing to commit to annual testing for the next 7 years. Typically, the test needs to be sent to a special lab, but any regular vet can draw the blood and send it to the lab. The cost of the test seems to vary widely by area, but is approximately $150-$250. or if your vet is willing to send the test to a veterinary college lab, cost can be as low as $80.
Foster comments: More than anything, I would love for Emily to find a home with a large fenced backyard where she can do what she loves most, which is explore and enjoy the outdoors. Homes without a fenced yard will not be considered for her. She's a sweet, gentle, easygoing girl who asks for very little. Give her some space to run and sniff, a comfortable spot to nap, and a person to love, and she'll be the happiest girl around. She has so much love to give and will make a wonderful companion for the right family.
Foster location: Chicago, IL
Transport note: We are able to arrange volunteer transport to get dogs from their foster home to their adopter as long as the adopter and the foster are within a 1,000 mile radius of each other and the adopter is located in the USA. If the adopter is more than 1,000 miles from the foster home, adoption would only be possible if the adopter is willing to drive the distance beyond the 1,000-mile transport limit. Long distance adoptions may also be possible if the adopter is willing to pay for a flight to get their dog from the foster home to their location if the foster feels this is an appropriate arrangement for the specific dog. Canadian adopters would have to drive into the USA to pick up their dog, as we do not transport outside of the USA.
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