Gordon Setter

Gordons are muscular, big-boned, and sturdy. They are highly intelligent, quick to train, and have good memories. They thrive on plenty of vigorous exercise and mature at about four years of age.

Gordon Setter breed facts

The Gordon Setters ancient lineage dates back to 1620.

Gordon Setters first started to hunt game birds almost 200 years ago.

Information you should know before owning a Gordon Setter

The dark coat of the Gordon Setter absorbs heat very quickly so owners should watch for signs of overheating.

Gordon Setters are protective of their family and children but are not aggressive unless they, or someone they love is being threatened.

Gordon Setters love a good long run, however, daily walks will suffice.

The Gordon hails from Scotland, and his ancient lineage traces back to the early 17th century. Popular among hunters of Scotland, the black-and-tan Setter came into prominence in the kennels of the fourth Duke of Gordon in the early 19th century. Early Gordons were described as "easy to break and naturally back well...not fast dogs, but...good staying powers" and endurance, seldom "making a false point or a sensational stand." Notable for their beauty as well as their bird sense, Gordons were imported to America by George Blunt in 1842, where his popularity soared to the heights enjoyed by the breed overseas.

As field-trials became more popular, the Gordon’s popularity waned in favor of Pointers and other flashy, fast breeds, but the breed remained unparalleled as a one-man shooting dog. Due to his retentive memory and keen intelligence, the Gordon needed no retraining with each season, making him valuable as a hunting dog since he improves with age. Gordon breeders, backed by a strong national club in the US, make no distinction between field or show types. The Gordon is heavier than the other setters, and distinctive in color (black-and-tan, easily viewed in light fields and early snow).

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Large
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	Over 2 hours a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Country
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Large garden

	General Appearance Stylish dog, with galloping lines. Consistent with its build which can be compared to a weight-carrying hunter. Symmetrical in conformation throughout.
	Characteristics Intelligent, able and dignified.
	Temperament Bold, outgoing, of kindly even disposition.
	Eyes Dark brown, bright. Neither deep nor prominent, set sufficiently under brows, showing keen, intelligent expression.
	Mouth Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Long, lean, arched, without throatiness.
	Forequarters Shoulder blades long, sloping well back, wide flat bone, close at withers, not loaded. Elbows well let down, and close to body. Forelegs flat-boned, straight, strong; upright pasterns.
	Body Moderate length, deep brisket, ribs well sprung. Back ribs deep. Loins wide, slightly arched. Chest not too broad.
	Hindquarters From hip to hock long, broad and muscular, hock to heel short, strong, stifles well bent, straight from hock joint to ground. Pelvis tending to horizontal.
	Feet Oval, close-knit, well arched toes, plenty of hair between. Well padded toes, deep heel cushions.
	Tail Straight or slightly scimitar, not reaching below hocks. Carried horizontally or below line of back. Thick at root, tapering to fine point. Feather or flag starting near root, long, straight, growing shorter to point.
	Gait / Movement Stylish dog, with galloping lines. Consistent with its build which can be compared to a weight-carrying hunter. Symmetrical in conformation throughout.
	Coat On head, front of legs, tips of ears short and fine, moderate length; flat and free from curl or wave on all other parts of body. Feather on upper portion of ears long and silky; on backs of legs long, fine, flat and straight, fringes on belly may extend to chest and throat. As free as possible from curl or wave.
	Colour Deep, shining coal black, without rustiness, with markings of chestnut red, i.e. lustrous tan. Black pencilling on toes and black streak under jaw permissible. ‘Tan markings’: two clear spots over eyes not over 2 cms (3/4 in) in diameter. On sides of muzzle, tan not reaching above base of nose, resembling a stripe around clearly defined end of muzzle from one side to other. Also on throat, two large, clear spots on chest. On inside hindlegs and inside thighs, showing down front of stifle and broadening out to outside of hindlegs from hock to toes. On forelegs, up to elbows behind, and to knees or little above, in front. Around vent. Very small white spot on chest permissible. No other colour permissible.
	Size Height: dogs: 66 cms (26 ins); bitches: 62 cms (241/2 ins). Weight: dogs: 29.5 kgs (65 lbs); bitches: 25.5 kgs (56 lbs).

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/dogzone/public_html/dog-breeds/breed-info.php on line 254