Russian Setter vs Dunker - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Russian Setter is originated from Russia but Dunker is originated from Norway. Russian Setter may grow 13 cm / 6 inches higher than Dunker. Russian Setter may weigh 14 kg / 31 pounds more than Dunker. Both Russian Setter and Dunker has almost same life span. Both Russian Setter and Dunker has almost same litter size. Russian Setter requires Moderate maintenance. But Dunker requires Low maintenance

History

People often think it is ridiculous that a Setter dog comes from Russia. It is believed that the Russians did have some kind of Griffon and the word Pointer is also often translated as Setter.

It is believed that the Russian Setter is one of the ancestors of the Wire-haired Pointing Griffon and that it possibly shared an ancestry with the German wire-haired and broken-haired pointers.

References to Russian Setters were fairly common in the 19th century, but there is such contradictory information that it is hard to get good information on the dogs. The Russian Setter is believed to have existed before the Russian Revolution resembling the English Setter. Dog experts tell us the dog no longer exists.

dunker - historyKnown as the Norwegian Hound, the Dunker hails from Norway. Bred and named after breeder Wilhelm Dunker to be a robust scenthound, Norwegian Scenthounds were crossed with a Russian Harlequin Hound because this particular dog was an excellent scent trailer and it could stand up to the freezing conditions of Norway.

The Dunker become popular in the mid-19th century in other Scandinavian countries. Hunters liked its intelligence, its robustness and its speed and strength. In 1902 a club was founded for the breed and in the same year the Norwegian Kennel Club recognized the Dunker.

The Dunker started dying out after the war, and in the late 1980s breeders of the Dunker petitioned to allow them to cross the remaining Dunkers with scenthounds. Today the dog is known in Norway but is uncommon outside Scandinavia.

Basic Information

Group:
Setter dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Russia
Norway
Height Male:
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
Height Female:
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
11 - 18 kg
24 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
2 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
Norwegian Hound
Colors Available:
Grey, reddish-brown with some black and white
Blue or black dappled
Coat:
Short or long, smooth or wiry
Straight and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

In terms of appearance, it was John Henry Walsh who said that the Russian Setter was a dog hidden by its long, woolly matted coat.It seems to have been a medium sized dog with an elegant appearance. It seems the dog came in two varieties - the curly coated liver coated dogs and the fawn colored dogs which are straight coated.

Because there is very little information on these dogs, we assume they were between 57 – 68cm in height and between 27 and 32kg in weight. The coat was no doubt in colours such as grey, reddish-brown with some black and white and shortish and wiry. The ears were floppy,and the face no doubt had some longer hair around the muzzle.

Temperament:

Nobody seems to know exactly what the temperament of this dog was, but when you look at some of his ancestors you can assume that he was strong-willed, confident and a skilled hunter.

He would have required a lot of exercise too. He was lively and energetic. Because he had Pointer in him you can be sure that he would have been intelligent so that he could be trained and socialized.

He would have been keen to learn with an owner who was firm and consistent in his treatment of him. He is a dog most happiest when he can spend time with his human family, a most loyal and devoted family friend, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the home.

dunker puppy - descriptionThe Dunker is a medium sized dog which stands at between 50-55cms with females being slightly smaller at 47-52cms. They usually weigh between 11-18kg and look similar to other scenthounds, being muscular and athletic.

The ears of the Dunker are floppy, the tail is long and carried straight with a bit of a curve, the nose is large and black as well as the eyes, but some dogs have light eyes which can even be blue.

The coat of the Dunker is straight and dense and this coat of his is well known for the unique color of the coat – blue or black dappled, while some dogs will have black, tan and white markings. White faces are preferred but you will find dogs with black masks.

Temperatment:

This is a non-aggressive dog and can become quite friendly when trained and socialized.

They are dogs that form strong bonds with their owners, being particularly good around children. They get on well with dogs and other pets in the home.

They’re intelligent dogs and are are easy to train. In fact, training and socialization is recommended for this dog as he does tend to be a bit stubborn.

Training ensures he is relaxed and obedient. He is an active dog and will certainly require some exercise each day. He’ll respond willingly if you call him to join you in your jogging- or cycling outings.

Characteristics

It appears, according to records that the Russian Setter has come and gone. However he would have been a calm, gentle pet with running ad hunting keeping him happy. He would therefore have required a lot of exercise.

We can assume that according to the few records that there are, that this was an affable, pleasing dog breed which made a great family pet.

dunker dog - characteristicsThe Dunker is such a good tempered dog and he will be happy to settle in the city or the countryside with his owner.

When you look at his history, he is a hunting dog, used for hunting rabbits. Being an active breed, he is better suited to living in a home where there is at least a fair sized garden.

He isn’t a high maintenance dog either, so no special attention to grooming is required. Being a fairly healthy breed, he isn’t likely to develop any serious health issues too. This low-maintenance, undemanding Norwegian Hound makes a splendid pet.

Health Problems

The Russian Setter had an average lifespan of 10 – 14 which is a fairly good innings for a dog. Nonetheless you would have had to be aware of some common dog problem. These dogs were prone to major health issues such as both hip and elbow dysplasia, deafness, epilepsy and hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid glands produce hormones that affect the function of many parts of the body. Dogs with this illness have a low production of thyroid hormones.

This disease is mainly caused by inflammation or shrinkage of the thyroid gland. The most common signs of low thyroid in dogs is thinning of the fur, the coat is dull, there is weight gain and excess shedding. The dog doesn’t tolerate cold well either. These dogs also often have ear infections.

dunker puppies - health problemsThe Dunker dog can live to reach a ripe age of 12 to 15 years. There are some health issues he may face -

Partial or Complete Loss of Hearing:

Partial or complete hearing loss can come about because of dirt or wax build-up in the ear canals. It can be because of an untreated ear infection, an injury or even old age.

Your veterinarian can examine your dog’s ear canal. Certain dog breeds such as the Dunker and others are more predisposed to deafness and you’ll find your dog responding slowly to your voice or he may be totally startled when woken.

Your vet will determine the type of treatment for your dog if an ear infection for instance is suspected. Treatment in this case may involve cleaning wax out of the ears or getting rid of overgrown ear hair.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition with your dog where bone rubs against other bone. Your Dunker dog will be in pain and his movement could be limited and he may even become lame. Get your pet to the vet because there are a number of treatment options.

Eye Problems:

Take a look at your pet’s eyes so that you’re aware of cloudiness, inflammation, discharge, a change in eye color or red eyelid lining. Take him to the vet if you suspect something serious, but in the meantime you can also gently wipe over your pet’s eyes to remove any discharge.

If you do need to bath your pet, make sure to protect his eyes before applying any lotion.

Caring The Pet

Whatever kind of coat the Russian Setter ad it would have required a brushing twice a week to keep it in top form.

The medium length floppy ears would have to be checked inside for ear infection.

His owners would have checked inside the mouth for any signs of rotten or bad teeth.

His nails would have required trimming.

Diet:

Dogs need the best food there is to stay healthy. The Russian Terrier, if it were still around today, would have had the best commercially manufactured food there was.

You want to provide dogs with some good homemade food too. Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency to avoid upsetting the stomach. Some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach would be perfect for him. Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble once or twice a week. Raw meat should also be added in when possible to promote good skin health.

Make sure your pet is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

dunker dogs - caringThe Dunker is a dog with stamina and energy and he will need a walk every day as well as some other forms of vigorous exercise. The idea is to involve a dog like this in all your activities, whether you go running, swimming or cycling.

Grooming:

The Dunker isn’t going to require you to spend a lot of money on maintenance for him. A good brush-down twice a week will be adequate as he is a fairly heavy shedder and brushing him will get rid of all those loose hairs. It is also time to check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Other grooming aspects to check will include nail trimming, checking the inside of the dog’s ears for excess wax build-up and dirt.

Dental care is of major concern because teeth left unattended can result in mouth bacteria. This bacteria enters the blood stream and results in systemic infection. Sometimes the bad teeth can be so painful that a dog no longer wants to eat.

It is imperative to brush your pet’s teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  2. Schnauzer vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  3. Schnoodle vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  4. Santal Hound vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  5. Sanshu vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  6. Sapsali vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  7. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Russian Setter vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  9. Russian Setter vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  10. Russian Setter vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Russian Setter vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  12. Russian Setter vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  13. Russian Setter vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  14. Russian Setter vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Russian Setter vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  16. Russian Setter vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Russian Setter vs Dalmatian - Breed Comparison
  18. Russian Setter vs Golden Doodle - Breed Comparison
  19. Russian Setter vs Pomsky - Breed Comparison
  20. Russian Setter vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  21. Russian Setter vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  22. Russian Setter vs Other - Breed Comparison
  23. Russian Setter vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  24. Russian Setter vs Olde English Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  25. Russian Setter vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Pharaoh Hound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  27. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  28. Hungarian Vizsla vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  29. Redbone Coonhound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  30. Norwegian Elkhound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  31. Santal Hound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  32. Podenco Canario vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  33. Dunker vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  34. Dunker vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  35. Dunker vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  36. Dunker vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  37. Dunker vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  38. Dunker vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Dunker vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  40. Dunker vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Dunker vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  42. Dunker vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  43. Dunker vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  44. Dunker vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  45. Dunker vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  46. Dunker vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  47. Dunker vs Beago - Breed Comparison
  48. Dunker vs Chinese Chongqing Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Dunker vs Combai - Breed Comparison
  50. Dunker vs Cretan Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds