Gordon Setter

Gordon Setter Breed description: Character & Co

Dogs/Active

What is the origin of the Gordon Setter?

Already in the Middle Ages did Setters in Great Britain provide valuable services. At times when rifles were not yet available, they ensured the food supply of their owners as their hunting companions. Partridges, pheasants and quails were caught with nets called tyras back then. The Setter, with its excellent nose, tracked down prey and indicated their find by sitting down (set). The hunters then threw large nets over the birds and caught several at a time using this method. All four Setter species with long fur, including the Irish Setter, the English Setter and the Irish red and white Setter, are descended from these old hunting dogs. The assumption is obvious that they were created by the crossbreeding of Spaniel and Pointer. A comprehensive study carried out by geneticist Heidi Parker in 2017 proves that pointer blood does indeed run through the veins of this breed. Around the year 1810, the 4th Duke of Gordon named Alexander started the targeted breeding of the Gordon Setter in his castle near Fochabers in Banddshire, Scotland. The final differentiation from other long-haired Setters was made in 1873, when the British Kennel Club separated the breeds according to colour. At first they were registered under the name "Black-and-Tan Setter", they only received their present name in 1924.

What are the breed characteristics of the Gordon Setter?

The dynamic and harmonious physique of the Gordon Setter already gives you an idea of what a good runner this dog is. The official breed standard even compares them to a "powerful hunting animal". The topline of the back is horizontal, the tail is either carried straight or sabre shaped in line with the backline or slightly lower.

Banner: Shutterstock / Seregraff
big dog breed sits, Gordon Setter looks amazed, black brown dog with long wavy coat large dog breed that has long coat, black and brown Gordon Setter dog full grown Gordon Setter puppy, black and brown dog with long ears and much fur, big dog breed Gordon Setter standing in the forest, big dog breed with long coat, black brown dog with fanned route
Alternate Name -
Origin UK
Life expectancy 10 - 12 years
Care requirements low-maintenance
Activity level average
FCI group British and Irish Pointers and Setters
AKC group Sporting Group
KC group Gundog Group
News/Active

What are the typical character traits of the Gordon Setter?

If you rescue a Gordon Setter in need, be aware that it is a thoroughbred hunter. For this reason and because of their self-confident nature, the breed is not necessarily suitable for first-time owners. This breed needs clear rules and only subordinates itself if you always stay consistent. If Gordon Setter puppies move into your home, it is best to visit a dog school where you can find specialists for hunting dogs. Without proper training, your four-legged friend will otherwise be over the hills as soon as it spots birds or small game. The active dog wants to go outdoors in all weather conditions.

If he is not being led by a hunter, you can make use of their energy with

  1. cycling,
  2. jogging or
  3. riding out on horseback.
  4. They also gladly join you doing dog sports and the like to
  5. retrieve or
  6. do mantrailing.

If the Gordon Setter is challenged enough, they will be a pleasant house mate. At home, it is grateful for every cuddle and always wants to be close to its family. The child-friendly breed is also suitable for sporty families.

UK

What are typical diseases of Gordon Setters?

Like other breeds with drooping ears, Gordon Setters are prone to developing ear infections. You can prevent this by using special cleaning agents that remove dirt from the outer ear canal and maintain its cleanliness. Some diseases typical for the breed are:

  • Hip joint dysplasia: congenital malposition of the hip joint
  • Skin tumours (in older animals)
  • Occasionally there is also progressive retina atrophy, a detachment of the retina
  • Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD): congenital immune deficiency

What should be considered in regards to Gordon Setter breeding?

A reputable Gordon Setter breeder will provide you with health papers of the parents. Make sure a genetic test has been done for hip dysplasia. At the Austrian Setter Club only breeders are registered who follow the breeding rules for Setters. This includes character tests for the parents and various health checks. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to visit the puppies more often and to get to know your future roommate in peace.

Hintergrund
Dog,Vertebrate,Canidae,Dog breed,Mammal,Gordon setter,Carnivore,Cocker spaniel,Sporting Group,Setter,

The Gordon Setter's body is covered by a long-haired, smooth coat. Curls or waves are not desirable according to breed standards. On the head as well as on the front of the legs the coat is shorter, long fringes hang down from the belly. The top coat is shiny and black and is loosened by chestnut red markings. Many Gordon Setters carry clearly visible bright spots above the eyes, also spots on the throat, chest and muzzle are desirable. Since branches and leaves often get caught in the coat during excursions into nature, regular brushing pays off. This will also prevent the coat from becoming matted. In addition, the grooming ritual preserves its silky shine.

What size does a Gordon Setter reach?

The maximum withers height is 66 centimetres.

How much does a Gordon Setter weigh?

At 25 to 35 kilograms, it is the heaviest among the rescue dogs.

What is the life expectancy of a Gordon Setter?

A Gordon Setter will live to an age of 11 to 13 years.

Fur length medium
Fur wavy
Ear shape Floppy Ear
Tail fanned out
Anatomy strong, sporty
Size ♀ 58 - 66 cm
Weight ♀ 20 - 32 kg
Size ♂ 61 - 69 cm
Weight ♂ 25 - 36 kg
Suitable For -

Colors

  • Eye diseases

    Often occur with allergies and intolerances.

  • Ataxia

    Ataxia (from Greek ἀταξία ataxia 'disorder' 'irregularity') is a generic term in medicine for various disorders of movement coordination. Ataxia can occur even when there is no paralysis (paresis), that is, when there is normal muscle strength.

Other large dogs

Useful Articles

Subscribe to our newsletter
to stay up to date on dog trends.
We won’t spam your inbox! We won’t sell or rent your email address.
To find out more, view our Privacy Policy
dogbible - a platform for people who love dogs
<svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="facebook" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="pinterest" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 496 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M496 256c0 137-111 248-248 248-25.6 0-50.2-3.9-73.4-11.1 10.1-16.5 25.2-43.5 30.8-65 3-11.6 15.4-59 15.4-59 8.1 15.4 31.7 28.5 56.8 28.5 74.8 0 128.7-68.8 128.7-154.3 0-81.9-66.9-143.2-152.9-143.2-107 0-163.9 71.8-163.9 150.1 0 36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C65.4 450.9 0 361.1 0 256 0 119 111 8 248 8s248 111 248 248z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg>