Anticipation does little to soften the surprise of a pair of grouse exploding from sparse cover at field's edge. A shock to the senses, a sudden flurry of motion blurs the vision, the eyes straining to focus on the brown birds blasting from the brush and the hearing assaulted by the sound of stiff wings beating the thin cold air in a frantic struggle to gain altitude and escape. It is with magnificent control that the classic English Setter keeps his composure, following the departing birds with head and eyes, but otherwise firm and steady as if rooted in his tracks.