Kirby Jaymes Coleman
English Setter

Cyndee Coleman had never seen an English Setter before, until one day when she met a gentleman who was walking with one.

“I’ve never seen a long-haired Dalmatian,” exclaimed Cyndee.

“You still haven’t,” the gentleman replied with a chuckle. “He’s an English Setter.” 

Instantly falling in love with the breed, Cyndee went to work finding one. Six-year-old Kirby is from a breeder in Kentucky. 

“Kirby is so sweet,” she notes. “He is very unusual looking. English Setters are a bit of a rare breed. You don’t see them very often. Due to his unusual markings, I have people stop me often and ask his breed. I even had one person do a U-turn on Main Street to ask!”

When they first got Kirby as a puppy, he was almost completely white. They had no idea how his ticking – spots -- would appear. 

“I’m a little biased,” added Cyndee, “but I think he turned out beautifully!”

Known as the gentlemen of the dog world, English Setters are sporting dogs with what the American Kennel Club (AKC) describes as “show-stopping good looks.” They have a unique, speckled coat called “belton.” The breed is one of the AKC’s four types of British setters created to hunt in the terrains of England, Ireland and Scotland. 

Definitely a bird dog, Kirby’s instinct is to point when he sees something that interests him. One time, Cyndee found him pointing at a moth in the hallway. 

“I have no idea how long he was there holding that point,” Cyndee laughed. 

They live in downtown Murfreesboro, and Kirby absolutely loves parade days. The Coleman family makes a tradition of attending the Middle Tennessee State University Homecoming and Christmas parades each year. Kirby simply sits and politely watches as the festivities pass by.
“He really loves the marching bands,” added Cyndee.

Not being very vocal, when Kirby wants Cyndee’s attention, he nudges her with his nose. When he gets excited about a walk or a trip, he enthusiastically expresses his excitement by bucking like a bronco. 

Everyone who knows Kirby knows he HATES the washing machine. Whenever Cyndee washes clothes, he has a little “safe space” outside where he retreats to escape the ‘evil’ washing machine. 

A favorite spot where Kirby loves to nap is his sister’s miniature bed. His ‘little sister’ is a miniature dachshund. He weighs 70 pounds, so he completely covers the bed. Cyndee and her family call him a “Teacup English Setter” whenever he rests there. 

Although he has never gone through formal training, Kirby knows how to heel, sit, place, down and of course, shake. 

A regular attendant of doggie day care at Safari Pet Resort, the staff there spoils every pet with love and attention. 

“He LOVES it there,” added Cyndee.