Gordon Setters originally came from Scotland where they were commonly used to hunt a large variety of game birds. They are one of the three setter breeds and are classified as either gundogs or sporting dogs depending on the country where they are registered. Currently, the only known nickname for the Gordon Setter is Gordon. Gordon Setters have been in existence in Scotland since about the early 17th century. They gained popularity in the early 19th century when Duke Alexander IV took a liking to the breed. They were named Gordon Setters because the Duke was of the Gordon clan in Scotland. He preferred Gordons over other hunting breeds because of their keen sense of smell and excellent retrieving abilities.
Gordons are medium-sized dogs that can weigh between 45 and 80 pounds fully grown. They have medium-length, silky hair that is longer on the ears, chest, belly, tail and the back of the legs. The only acceptable color for Gordon Setters is black with tan markings. This is a somewhat stocky dog with thick, muscular legs and a square-shaped head. The eyes of the Gordon should be oval-shaped and dark brown in color. The nose is broad and always black. The Gordon Setter's ears are floppy and should hang just below the muzzle. The tail of the Gordon is long, heavily feathered and should be level with the back or slightly higher when the dog is alert. The Gordon Setter is a large, sturdy dog with heavy bones, this dog breed has a dense coat of medium or long wavy hair. It has large ears and more hair on its legs and tail. Its coat needs frequent brushing and occasional clipping for optimal good looks.
Personality
Gordons are lively, active dogs that love to sniff out and chase prey. Thus, they do not make good pets for households that contain such small pets as rabbits, birds or rodents. They are extremely friendly and love to play making them great pets for kids. However, due to their activity level, they may accidentally knock over a toddler. If you are looking for an excellent hunting or family dog, why not consider a Gordon Setter? Not only are Gordons some of the best bird dogs known today, but they are also great with kids. However, if you choose this breed for your home, you will want to be sure that you can provide it with plenty of exercise and play time. The Gordon Setter is a good-natured, lively dog breed that needs plenty of vigorous exercise on a daily basis. If it doesn't get enough exercise, it can get frustrated and hyperactive. It's very affectionate towards its family and is good with children. It may be aggressive towards other dogs but is normally friendly or aloof towards strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Family: | Pointer |
| Life Span: | 10-12 years |
| Nicknames: | Gordons |
Gordon Setter Build Information
Gordons are medium-sized dogs that can weigh between 45 and 80 pounds fully grown. They have medium-length, silky hair that is longer on the ears, chest, belly, tail and the back of the legs. The only acceptable color for Gordon Setters is black with tan markings. This is a somewhat stocky dog with thick, muscular legs and a square-shaped head. The eyes of the Gordon should be oval-shaped and dark brown in color. The nose is broad and always black. The Gordon Setter's ears are floppy and should hang just below the muzzle. The tail of the Gordon is long, heavily feathered and should be level with the back or slightly higher when the dog is alert. The Gordon Setter is a large, sturdy dog with heavy bones, this dog breed has a dense coat of medium or long wavy hair. It has large ears and more hair on its legs and tail. Its coat needs frequent brushing and occasional clipping for optimal good looks.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
Gordons are lively, active dogs that love to sniff out and chase prey. Thus, they do not make good pets for households that contain such small pets as rabbits, birds or rodents. They are extremely friendly and love to play making them great pets for kids. However, due to their activity level, they may accidentally knock over a toddler. If you are looking for an excellent hunting or family dog, why not consider a Gordon Setter? Not only are Gordons some of the best bird dogs known today, but they are also great with kids. However, if you choose this breed for your home, you will want to be sure that you can provide it with plenty of exercise and play time. The Gordon Setter is a good-natured, lively dog breed that needs plenty of vigorous exercise on a daily basis. If it doesn't get enough exercise, it can get frustrated and hyperactive. It's very affectionate towards its family and is good with children. It may be aggressive towards other dogs but is normally friendly or aloof towards strangers.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Very affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very friendly |
Appearance
The Gordon Setter's silky hair can become tangled rather quickly and easily. As such, you will need to brush your pet's hair daily. If you use your Gordon for hunting, be sure to check its hair for burrs and ticks at the end of the day. Bathing is typically necessary only if your dog becomes overly filthy. Because of the Gordon's long ears, it can be susceptible to ear infections. For this reason, it is good practice to check your pet's ears occasionally for such things as excess wax, redness or foul odors. When cleaning the ears, never stick anything into the ear canal. Simply use the tip of a damp cloth to wipe out any debris. From time to time, you may need to trim your dog's nails. When this becomes necessary, be sure to use a pliers-style nail clipper made just for pets. Clip only the tips of each nail being careful not to cut into the quicks (small veins within the nails). If you do nick a quick, place a small amount of styptic powder on the nail to stop any bleeding.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
Gordon Setter Common Health Conditions
Fortunately, Gordon Setters are for the most part hardy dogs that can live for 10 to 12 years or longer. Nevertheless, there are some health issues that they have been known to develop. You will find these issues listed here: Ear Infections, Hip Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Bloat, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Cataracts.
Gordon Setter Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
While Gordons are highly intelligent, they can suffer from separation anxiety and become destructive when left alone for long periods of time. Gordons can get along quite well with cats if they are raised together. Gordon Setters need at least one or two hours of rigorous exercise each day.
| Training: | Easy |