What apertures does anyone prefer to use for their setter photos?  Sometimes I find F8 doesn't give enough depth of field when doing a close up head shot, but if you use F11 or F16 then too much of the background is too sharp.  Has anyone else noticed this especially with digital?

I have a Canon EOS 40D and I go on automatic when do dog pictures - faster and easier and gives me good results all the time. But then I have excellent lenses to go with the camera.