South Windsor Goes to the Dogs! (English Setters to be Exact)

Ever wonder if English Setters bark in an accent that sounds more dignified than their American counterparts?

Me too.

I mean, in my head, English Setters are all like, "Tut, tut, my good man. Woof."

The opinion as to whether that's the case was divided among the owners of the 60 or so canines at the fourth annual English Setter Club of New England Dog Show at Nevers Park in South Windsor Saturday.

"Of course they do," said event Secretary Cathy Hill. "And if you come Monday, you'll hear a Scottish brogue when the Gordons are shown here."

Others, however, weren't so sure.

"Um, I don't know," one nervous looking owner responded when asked the question before showing her dog.

One thing that was certain was that the two-day AKC-sanctioned event, which continues today from 10:30 a.m. to around 2 p.m., featured all things English Setter.

"It's a great event," said Hill.

Competitors hail from all over North America - Canada, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Indiana and Connecticut. Winners - the dogs that is - earned points to becoming American champions.

And while there was no agreement on the issue of the accent, all of the owners were in accord that the English Setters' collective mellow temperment set the breed apart from all others.

"They're a great family dog," said Kathy Roy, vice president of the English Setters Club of New England.

Anyone interested in joining the club may contact Roy at 203-876-9885.

Check out the photo gallery of some of what transpired Saturday.