Hailing from the highlands of Scotland, the Gordon Setter is an iconic breed that’s won the hearts of many people. Described as confident, affectionate, and bold, these dogs rank 106 out of the American Kennel Club’s 201 registered breeds.
Read on to learn more about this wonderful black and tan dog!
1. The Gordon Setter Hails from Scotland
The Gordon Setter’s origins can be traced back to Scotland during the 17th century, being bred for hunting game birds out in the field. This breed’s name derives from a Scottish nobleman by the name of Alexander Gordon, who was the fourth Duke of Gordon and played a pivotal role in the development of his namesake breed.
As Scotland’s upland environments contained lots of rough and rugged terrain, hunters needed to breed a dog that could navigate through such obstacles. The duke crossbred other setters with pointer breeds, and eventually, the Gordon Setter was created. The current breed standard wasn’t established until 1873 by The Kennel Club, which was newly founded in Britain. As this breed’s standard only allows black and tan, it was originally called the “Black and Tan Setter” until 1924, when it was renamed to the Gordon Setter in honor of the fourth duke himself.
Scottish immigrants sometime in the 19th century were believed to have introduced the Gordon Setter into the United States. With its exceptional hunting abilities, the Gordon Setter has established itself well into the American hunting scene, especially with its use as a birding dog even today. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884, being one of the first breeds to be recognized shortly after the AKC’s founding.
2. Gordon Setters Are Specific Hunting Dog
The Gordon Setter belongs to a group of hunting breeds known as “setters.” They’re in the same category as English and Irish Setters.
Setters, along with pointers, belong in the “pointing” category of gun dogs. While pointers typically freeze and point standing up, setters tend to crouch when pointing, distinctively known as “setting”. These dogs have existed for hundreds of years, with written records having documented setter-like dogs as far back as the 1300s.
Setters were bred specifically to hunt birds, ranging from pheasants and grouse to partridges and woodcocks. These dogs will first track down their quarry through scent, sniffing in the air for birds or other targeted prey. Setters track scents in the air, not from foot trails. As soon as the quarry has been detected, the setter doesn’t chase after its prey; rather, it will crouch down and wait motionlessly, aiming toward the bird’s location.
As soon as the birds are located, they’ll be flushed and then either gunned down or captured with nets. Gordon Setters can also retrieve game, making them a multipurpose breed.
3. They Only Come in Black and Tan
Standing out from its other setter relatives, the Gordon Setter comes only in black and tan. This coloration is also seen in many other breeds, from Rottweilers and Dobermann Pinschers to Dachshunds and even the aptly named Black and Tan Coonhound. The official breed standard of the Gordon Setter disqualifies any other color variant other than black and tan.
Interestingly though, this breed wasn’t always predominantly black and tan in coloration. Alexander Gordon, the duke mentioned earlier in this article, reportedly had many tricolored dogs. An author who wrote literature about dogs visited his kennel and noted that many of the duke’s dogs had white coloration appearing on their bodies, which isn’t often seen today within this breed. How these dogs obtained the white coloration was unknown, though the duke may have crossbred his dogs with the related English Setter or even from sheepdogs to obtain the tricolored look.
Sadly, no written records survive today about these possible crossbreedings.
4. The Gordon Setter is the Biggest Setter
Interestingly, the Gordon Setter is considered both the heaviest and the largest of the living setter breeds (the smallest meanwhile is the English Setter). Like some other gundog breeds, the Gordon Setter is bred in two forms: those from field lines (which are used for work), and those from show lines (which are bred for dog shows). Gordon Setters descended from show lines are larger and heavier than those from field lines as they’re bred for their appearance; meanwhile, dogs bred in field lines are bred for working out in the field.
These dogs can reach around 23-27 inches at the shoulder, with males being typically larger than females (as with other dogs). Females typically weigh around 45-70 pounds, while males can reach around 55-80 pounds at the most.
5. This Breed Is Generally Healthy
The Gordon Setter is generally a healthy dog breed, though there are a few conditions that this canine can suffer. This breed is prone to a few genetic ailments that can affect its well-being, including hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Hypothyroidism is caused when a hormonal imbalance occurs due to insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which can cause issues for your dog. Symptoms can include weight gain, lethargy, and an unhealthy coat. Afflicted dogs are also prone to skin irritation and ear infections. With proper treatment received from a veterinarian, a dog with hypothyroidism can live a long, healthy life.
Progressive retinal atrophy is another condition that the Gordon Setter is predisposed to. This occurs when the rods and cones inside your dog’s eyes deteriorate over time, eventually causing blindness. A dog with progressive retinal atrophy can still live a long, healthy life if proper treatment is also given, and reputable breeders will genetically screen and not breed any dogs with this trait.
Though interestingly not as prone to hip dysplasia as other dog breeds, the Gordon Setter is still at risk for developing it. This occurs when the hip joints grow out of place, causing discomfort for your dog. The Gordon Setter can also get bloat, or gastric dilation volvulus, which occurs when your dog’s stomach suddenly twists.
As with all other dogs, your Gordon Setter should be examined annually by your local veterinarian to ensure that any early signs of illness are taken care of before they worsen. If any early symptoms of illness arise, a veterinary appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible.
6. This Dog Requires Regular Grooming Sessions
Like other setters, the Gordon Setter sports a feathery coat that must be maintained regularly. A weekly brushing session prevents matting and tangles which can eventually cause skin problems. The feathering on this dog’s legs, ears, and throat can also be trimmed for maintenance reasons, and this can be done by a groomer if needed.
The Gordon Setter sports a double coat. NEVER shave a double-coated dog breed, as this will do more harm for your dog than good. Shaving a double coat will not cool off your dog and will in fact make them much more prone to temperature extremes and parasites. Double-coated dog breeds thermoregulate this way. Shaving a double coat will also damage your dog’s fur and will affect its growth.
Your Gordon Setter’s nails should be trimmed every few weeks. Your dog’s ears should also be cleaned frequently to prevent any infection. Brushing your dog’s teeth is also crucial in maintaining your canine’s dental health. While brushing your dog’s teeth daily is recommended, brushing them twice a week should suffice. While dental chews are often enjoyed, they should NOT be a substitute for tooth brushing.
7. Gordon Setters Require Lots of Exercise
The Gordon Setter, like other high-energy hunting dogs, must be exercised daily. As with all dogs, a bored dog is a destructive one. Long walks are appreciated, but as this breed has a high prey drive, it is highly advisable to always have your dog on a leash. This dog can be a great companion for hiking, running, or even bike riding.
Gordon Setters may chase after smaller animals, children, or even fast-moving objects such as cars which can lead to fatal consequences. A large, spacious yard is also beneficial for energetic breeds such as the Gordon Setter. Playing games such as fetch would also be highly appreciated by your dog.
Your Gordon Setter can participate in various breed-specific sports, such as field and agility trials. Field trials are especially great as they allow your dog to exercise its innate breed abilities as a gun dog. However, as this dog is prone to bloat, it is very important to not exercise your dog immediately after feeding. For puppies, it is highly advisable not to exercise them as their joints and bones are still growing, and overexertion can cause injury.
8. These Dogs Thrive with Experienced Owners
The Gordon Setter is known for being a very affectionate dog, but it is advisable to have considerable experience before obtaining this breed. Training your dog early is an absolute must, and this canine needs to be trained in a consistent and firm, yet gentle manner with positive reinforcement. This dog thrives with being given tasks and can be a bit stubborn at times.
As mentioned earlier, this dog needs exercise and will thrive best in an active household. While this dog can live in an apartment setting, its exercise requirements still must be met. The Gordon Setter is recommended for families with older children as this dog’s high energy can be a bit much for smaller children. As with other breeds with a high prey drive, some caution should be considered for households with other smaller pets, including cats.
As with all dogs, it is important to obtain your dog from a reputable breeder or a rescue group. Provided its training and exercise needs are fulfilled, the Gordon Setter is a fun-loving companion for families that are more on the active side.
