Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is not recommended for apartment life. It is relatively inactive indoors (if a Gordon Setter gets enough outdoor activity it will be calm when it is indoors) and does best with at least a large, safely fenced yard where it can run free. Their hunting instincts lure them to roam, so a good fence around your property is essential.

All setters need a daily long, brisk walk or they will become restless and difficult to manage. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. In addition, they will also enjoy running free in the safety of a fenced yard.

Moderate Maintenance: The Gordon has a long, thick coat with feathering on the ears, legs, belly, and tail. Depending on the type of terrain your Gordon is out in every day, you will probably need to brush and comb him one to three days a week to prevent or remove tangles and mats, remove dead hair, and distribute skin oils. In addition to brushing, you’ll need to trim the hair on the bottom of his feet and between his toes. Gordons love swimming and playing in water. Be sure to keep the ears clean and dry to prevent bacterial or yeast infections from taking hold.

The heaviest of the setters, the Gordon Setter is sturdily built with plenty of substance and bone. The suggestion should be one of strength and stamina rather than speed. It is square-proportioned, upstanding and stylish. The gait is bold, smooth and effortless, with head carried proudly and tail constantly flagging. The Gordon setter carries a thicker coat than the other setters. The hair is straight or slightly wavy, always soft and shiny. Longer feathering is on the ears, underside, backs of legs, and tail. The whole impression should be of a rugged dog capable of withstanding a long, active day in the field under a variety of conditions.

The Gordon Setter is a capable, close-working bird dog. It can run and hunt all day, and this kind of energy needs a regular outlet or the dog is apt to become frustrated. Gordons make lively, enthusiastic companions and need the company of lively people. Somewhat more protective than the other setters, they are reserved toward strangers and sometimes aggressive toward strange dogs. The Gordon has earned its reputation as a devoted family dog.

The Gordon Setter is the only gun dog developed in Scotland. The breed was stabilized by Alexander, the fourth Duke of Gordon, between the years of 1770 to 1820. It was originally called the Gordon Castle Setter. The Duke wanted a heavier type of setter of pleasing conformation, with keen scenting power, and well adapted to his Scottish environment. Some of the breeds mentioned in the dog’s ancestry are the “colley” and bloodhound. This may account for the dogs coloring. He may be a slower hunter than the English Setter, but there is less variation within the Gordon bench and field type than there is between the bench and field type of the English and Irish Setter. This is to the breeders’ credit. The Gordon Setter was recognized by the AKC in 1884. Some of the Gordon Setter's talents include guarding, watchdog, hunting, tracking, pointing and retrieving.